HPV in Men
Transmission, Course and Risks

Why Is HPV Important in Men?

In the United States, approximately 250,000 new cases of genital warts are reported in men each year. In terms of HPV, men play a critical role in the chain of transmission.

90% of the genital warts seen in men are caused by HPV Type 6 and Type 11. However, men's lack of awareness of the disease and their delay in treatment cause the infection to be transmitted to their partners.

According to a 2013 study by Patel and colleagues, in Europe about 195 of every 100,000 men encounter a new HPV infection each year.

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The Course of HPV Infection in Men

According to a study by Partridge and colleagues, the average time for HPV to clear from the body is 5.9 months.

In approximately 75% of men, HPV is no longer detected at the end of 12 months. The clearance rate of the virus does not differ significantly between low-risk and high-risk types.

HPV is most often detected on the root of the penis, the glans penis and around the groin.

How Is HPV Transmitted to Men?

HPV is most often transmitted through sexual contact. Skin irritation, microcracks, open wounds or damage that forms after shaving increase the likelihood of transmission.

Removing the genital hair with a razor causes microdamage to the skin. When HPV-containing vaginal secretions come into contact with this damaged area, the virus settles into the basal cell layer.

The breaking off of existing small warts after waxing or shaving can make it easier for the virus to spread both to the partner and to the person's own skin.

Do Condoms and Circumcision Protect Against HPV?

A condom protects the shaft of the penis but cannot prevent contact with the hair-bearing area. For this reason, it does not provide full protection.

Research shows that the risk of HPV infection in circumcised men is lower than in uncircumcised men.

Do High-Risk HPV Types Occur in Men?

90% of genital warts are caused by types 6 and 11. However, studies show that warts present in men contain more than one HPV type in 45.5% of cases.

Approximately 12.5% of these types are high-risk HPV types such as Type 16 and 18. For this reason, when a wart is detected in a man, an evaluation for high-risk types should also be carried out.

HPV in men is not only an individual problem. Early diagnosis and treatment are also critically important for partner health.