HPV in Men: Symptoms, Testing and Prevention

What is HPV?

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a group of more than 200 related viruses. Some types infect the skin, while others affect moist surfaces such as the penis, anus, mouth and throat. HPV can spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex.

HPV is extremely common. Most sexually active people encounter HPV at some point, often without knowing it because the infection may cause no symptoms. The immune system usually controls the infection within one to two years.

That does not mean HPV should be ignored. A small proportion of infections persist and can eventually cause abnormal cell changes or cancer.

How do men get HPV?

HPV spreads primarily through intimate skin-to-skin sexual contact.

Transmission can occur through:

• vaginal sex

• anal sex

• oral sex

• genital-to-genital contact

• contact with infected skin around the genitals or anus

Penetrative sex is not required for transmission. Condoms can lower the risk but cannot provide complete protection because HPV can infect skin that a condom does not cover.

A person can also transmit HPV without knowing they have it.

What are the symptoms of HPV in men?

Most HPV infections in men do not cause noticeable symptoms.

When symptoms occur, genital warts are one of the more recognisable signs. They can appear on or around the penis, scrotum, groin or anus and may look like small, skin-coloured bumps. They can occur individually or in clusters.

Some warts are completely painless. Others may itch, become irritated or bleed, particularly if they are repeatedly rubbed.

Doctar's HPV testing guide for men provides additional information about HPV symptoms and diagnosis.

Are all HPV types dangerous?

No.

HPV types are often broadly described as low-risk or high-risk.

Low-risk HPV

Low-risk types, particularly HPV 6 and 11, are strongly associated with genital warts. They rarely cause cancer.

Genital warts can be uncomfortable or distressing, but the HPV types that usually cause them are different from the types most strongly associated with cancer.

High-risk HPV

High-risk HPV types can persist in the body and cause cellular changes that may eventually become cancer.

HPV 16 and 18 are particularly important cancer-causing types.

A positive high-risk HPV infection does not mean a man has cancer. Cancer generally develops only when certain high-risk infections persist and cause progressive cellular changes over many years.

Which cancers can HPV cause in men?

Persistent high-risk HPV can contribute to several cancers affecting men.

These include:

• anal cancer

• penile cancer

• oropharyngeal cancer, which affects parts of the throat, including the tonsils and base of the tongue

The National Cancer Institute reports that HPV causes more than 90% of anal cancers and about 63% of penile cancers, while approximately 70% of oropharyngeal cancers are HPV-related.

These cancers are much less common than ordinary HPV infections.

That distinction is worth making because hearing “HPV can cause cancer” without understanding the numbers can create unnecessary fear.

Can HPV cause throat cancer?

Yes.

HPV can infect the mouth and throat through oral sexual contact. Persistent high-risk infection can contribute to oropharyngeal cancer.

There is currently no standard HPV screening test for throat cancer in people without symptoms. The NCI notes that there are no standard screening tests for HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer.

Persistent symptoms such as a throat lump, unexplained difficulty swallowing, persistent sore throat, voice changes or a neck lump should be medically evaluated rather than assumed to be HPV.

Is there an HPV test for men?

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of HPV.

There is no routine HPV test that tells most men whether they currently have HPV. HPV tests are primarily used in cervical cancer screening. The CDC has stated that HPV tests are not recommended to screen men for HPV infection.

There are also no standard HPV screening tests for penile or oropharyngeal cancer in the general male population.

A doctor can, however, examine visible genital warts or suspicious lesions. A biopsy may be needed when a lesion looks unusual or the diagnosis is uncertain.

What about anal HPV testing?

Anal HPV screening is more specialised.

There is no standard anal-cancer screening programme for the general population. However, some higher-risk groups may undergo anal cytology or other specialist screening, particularly men who have sex with men and people living with HIV.

The right approach depends on individual risk and local medical guidance.

If you have persistent anal bleeding, pain, a lump or other unusual symptoms, don't wait for an HPV test. Get examined.

Can genital warts become cancer?

The HPV types that usually cause genital warts are low-risk types and do not usually cause cancer.

However, a person can carry more than one HPV type at the same time.

So the presence of a genital wart does not tell you whether you also have a high-risk HPV infection.

How are genital warts treated?

Treatment focuses on removing visible warts and managing symptoms. It does not necessarily eliminate HPV from the body immediately.

Depending on the location and size of the lesions, a clinician may consider treatments such as prescription topical medicines, cryotherapy or procedures to remove the wart.

Treatment should be chosen by a healthcare professional because genital bumps can have several causes.

Doctar's genital rash guide explains why unusual genital skin changes should be evaluated rather than self-diagnosed.

Can HPV go away on its own?

Often, yes.

The immune system controls most HPV infections naturally, usually within one to two years.

But there is no way to predict with certainty which infection will clear quickly and which will persist.

That is why prevention remains useful even though most HPV infections do not become serious.

HPV vaccination for men

HPV vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent infection with important HPV types.

The vaccine protects against HPV types associated with genital warts and several cancers. NCI notes that the HPV vaccine can prevent many HPV-related cancers and genital warts.

Vaccination works best when given before exposure to HPV, which is why routine vaccination is recommended during adolescence.

People who have already been sexually active may still benefit because they may not have encountered all of the HPV types covered by the vaccine.

The exact recommended age, dosing schedule and catch-up eligibility depend on national guidelines and individual circumstances.

Can adults still get the HPV vaccine?

Potentially, yes.

Vaccination recommendations vary by country and age. In the United States, for example, routine vaccination is recommended through age 26 for those who were not adequately vaccinated earlier, while adults aged 27–45 may discuss vaccination with a clinician based on individual circumstances.

The vaccine prevents new HPV infections; it does not treat an existing HPV infection.

Men should therefore discuss vaccination with a qualified doctor if they have not been vaccinated or are unsure about their vaccination history.

Can condoms prevent HPV?

Condoms reduce HPV transmission risk but cannot eliminate it.

HPV can infect skin around the genitals, anus or groin that is not covered by a condom.

Using condoms consistently is still worthwhile because they also reduce the risk of several other STIs.

Doctar's STI prevention guide covers condoms, vaccination and other prevention measures.

Can circumcision reduce HPV risk?

Research suggests that circumcision may reduce the prevalence of some genital HPV infections, but it should not be viewed as a substitute for vaccination or safer-sex practices.

A man should not undergo circumcision solely because he is worried about HPV without discussing the potential benefits and risks with a qualified doctor.

Can smoking affect HPV-related cancer risk?

Smoking is an established risk factor for several cancers and can also influence the persistence or progression of HPV-related disease.

If you smoke, quitting is a sensible step regardless of HPV status.

Doctar's men's health articles cover broader lifestyle and preventive-health topics.

Does HPV affect male fertility?

HPV is not considered a common direct cause of male infertility.

Research has examined possible relationships between HPV and sperm parameters, but the clinical significance remains uncertain. A man should not assume that an HPV diagnosis explains a low sperm count or difficulty conceiving.

If fertility is a concern, a proper evaluation is more useful. Doctar's guides to male fertility testing, semen analysis and male infertility causes provide further information.

Does HPV affect sexual performance?

HPV itself does not usually cause erectile dysfunction.

However, genital warts, anxiety about transmission and concerns about appearance can affect confidence and intimacy.

If erection problems persist, they should not automatically be blamed on HPV. Doctar's guide to erectile dysfunction discusses other physical and psychological causes.

For persistent sexual-health concerns, a sexologist consultation may be appropriate.

Can HPV be transmitted without symptoms?

Yes.

Because most infections do not produce obvious symptoms, someone can carry and transmit HPV without knowing they have it.

This is also why it is usually impossible to determine exactly when or from whom an HPV infection was acquired.

An HPV diagnosis does not by itself establish recent infidelity or indicate when transmission occurred.

When should a man see a doctor?

See a healthcare professional if you notice:

• a new genital wart or unexplained genital bump

• a persistent penile lesion

• unusual bleeding from the penis or anus

• an anal lump or persistent anal pain

• unexplained changes in the skin of the penis

• persistent throat or swallowing symptoms

• a neck lump that does not resolve

Not every bump is HPV, and not every HPV infection causes a visible lesion.

A doctor consultation can help determine whether examination, biopsy or another test is appropriate.

In clinical practice, HPV often causes more anxiety than the infection itself. Most infections never become cancer, and many disappear without treatment. The focus should be on prevention, vaccination where appropriate and prompt evaluation of persistent or unusual lesions.