Ureaplasma spp is a type of bacteria under the bacteria family of mycoplasma species. There […]
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Human Papillomavirus (HPV) remains one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the world. Based on statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 3 men are infected with HPV [1].
HPV screening and vaccination programmes are commonly health-highlighted among women. On the other hand, HPV checkups and vaccination in men are much less heard of. Having said that, men can be susceptible to HPV-related infections and HPV-related long-term health complications.
In this article, we attempt to shed further light on HPV infection in men and ways to protect and prevent men from HPV comorbidities.
HPV are viruses from the Papillomaviridae family. HPV viruses can affect the skin epithelial and membrane linings of the body – particularly the skin, genitals, and upper respiratory tract system. Hitherto, there are over 150 types of HPV, with around 15 types that are classified as higher risk and can be associated with cancers, including cervical cancers, vaginal cancers, and anal cancers [2].
Unlike women, following HPV infection, men may not develop immunity or antibodies against HPV. In other words, even if men have been exposed to HPV in the past, they may not be protected against future HPV infection. This makes men susceptible to reinfection of HPV if they are re-exposed to HPV throughout their lives, making them a reservoir of HPV infection to others.
Yes, just like women, men can get HPV infection. HPV can be passed on via direct skin-to-skin contact with infected skin or mucosal linings.
In the context of sexual health, HPV infection can be passed on in the following ways:
HPV infection can be without any symptoms, but this may be temporary. Persistent HPV infection in men can lead to the presentation of genital warts or even mucosal-lining-related cancers such as anal cancers.
HPV types 6 and 11 are known to be associated with over 90% of genital and anal warts [3]. These lesions are highly infectious to one’s sexual partner(s). Genital warts can persist for months or even years, even if left alone. With treatment, 30% of genital warts may still recur within four months [4].
High-risk HPV types 16 and 18 can cause chronic inflammation and, over time, abnormal skin changes, leading to the formation of cancer. We now know about 80% of anal cancers can be associated with HPV types 16 and 18 infections [5].
Signs and symptoms of genital warts in men include:
Unfortunately, there is currently no HPV test that is approved and validated to be used to screen for HPV in men. Diagnosis of active/persistent HPV infection in the form of genital warts can be detected by clinical visual review with your health care professional.
As such, men can even be asymptomatic when they are having HPV infections.
If you were exposed to the HPV virus and are asymptomatic, there is no treatment (as there is no validated test to screen for to begin with). There are no antibiotics, antivirals, or oral medications that have shown efficacy in getting rid of the virus. Thankfully, in most men (and women), the HPV virus can disappear spontaneously over time if one takes care of one’s immune system.
If you are experiencing active HPV symptoms such as genital warts – this is treatable.
If you are experiencing chronic HPV symptoms with associated genitalia HPV-related skin dysplasia/cancer, medical treatment is possible to manage the disease.
9-valent HPV vaccination is approved for men aged 9 to 45 years old in Singapore to prevent HPV infection and HPV-related cancers. Although HPV vaccination has yet to be part of the National Immunisation Schedule, the clinical benefits of the vaccine are telling over the years. In a recent Straits Times news article [6], doctors from the Society for Men’s Health Singapore urged the public to consider HPV vaccination in men due to the known positive benefits of the vaccine for public health [7].
We now know that the HPV vaccination is clinically proven to:
As smoking reduces a person’s immune system, a person who has an HPV infection generally has a slower recovery period to clear off HPV infection. A smoker with HPV infection also has a higher risk of developing HPV-related cancers [8].
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