HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the most commonly found STI in most people. As HPV causes more risk in women, like cervical cancer, there is a common misconception that HPV is associated with women. HPV is commonly found in both men and women.
It is estimated that by age 45, more than 80% men and women will acquire an HPV infection. Here we will look at some common queries regarding HPV, such as whether a man can give a woman HPV.
What Is HPV
HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that is common in most men and women. Most often, HPV does not cause any symptoms in the individual infected with it; hence, it goes unnoticed in many.
It is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, including sexual intercourse. HPVs are of two types: high-risk and low-risk. High risk HPV can cause cancer, whereas low risk, as the name suggest are mostly not harmful however may cause warts at times.
How Do Men Diagnose HPV
Women have a routine Pap test that screens for the presence of HPV in the cervix. However, men do not have routine tests like women to test for HPV. Most of the time HPV does not show any symptoms, and this makes it difficult to identify the infection. It is only when symptoms like warts appear that they are tested for HPV.
There is a common misconception that HPV does not lead to cancer in men; however, this is not true. HPV can lead to cancer in men, such as throat and penile cancer. A 2019 study estimates that HPV caused cancer in 620000 women and in 70000 men. Once the tumor grows in men, it can be treated for cancer; however, there are no tests to diagnose HPV.
Can A Man Give A Woman HPV
HPV is common in both men and women, but it poses a severe health risk to women because it can progress into cancer. This does not mean that HPV is not transmitted from men to women. A man can give HPV to women through skin-to-skin contact. It mainly happens during unprotected sexual intercourse. Anal, oral, and vaginal sex can cause the transmission of the virus. Like most STIs, HPV is transmitted during unprotected sexual activity; however, condoms do not completely reduce the chance of transmission of the virus.
What Happens If A Woman Gets HPV
HPV will clear on its own in most cases within one to two years. In some cases, it may develop into genital warts, or if there is high-risk HPV, it may eventually lead to cancer if left untreated. The body’s immune system fights off the virus on its own, and during this time, the woman may not know that she has HPV, as there may not be any symptoms.
If the woman is infected with low-risk HPV, it can develop into genital warts, which can be treated with medication and topical creams.
How To Prevent Transmission Of HPV
Getting vaccinated for HPV is one of the most important steps in protecting against HPV. Most men assume that they are at low risk of getting an HPV. HPV is equally common in both men and women. If you are indulging in sexual activity with a person who has had multiple sexual partners, then you are most likely at risk of getting HPV and other STIs. To be safe, it is always better to be vaccinated for HPV.
Limiting the number of sexual partners is another way to protect oneself from getting HPV. Having multiple sexual partners increases the risk of getting HPV. Since HPV most commonly has no symptoms, it is unlike that the person with HPV knows they are infected. Maintaining open communication with partners regarding the sexual and medical history is considered a better practice.
Using protection like condoms and dental dams can, to an extend help prevent the transmission of HPV. It is not guaranteed that this will eliminate the transmission of HPV. However, having safe and protected sexual intercourse can always limit the transmission of HPV and other STIs.
Is HPV Treatable
There is no medicine for HPV virus; however, you can treat the symptoms like genital warts using prescription creams such as Imiquimod, Podofilox, and Trichloroacetic acid. Cryotherapy, electrocautery, surgery, and laser treatments are some other ways to treat the warts.
Colposcopy is used to remove the virus from the cervix. A coloscope is used to get tissue samples to further assess the condition. If the HPV strands are of high risk, it may lead to cancer in the cervix if left untreated. Getting a colposcopy is necessary if there are abnormalities in the cervical cells. Early detection improves the chance of survival and quality of life.
Conclusion
HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections that affects both men and women. HPV can be transmitted from a man to a woman through skin-to-skin sexual contact. While most HPV infections remain harmless, some may develop into cancer in women.
There are vaccinations and routine screening tests available to protect from HPV. Indulging in safe sexual practices, avoiding multiple sexual partners, and maintaining open communication are necessary to protect yourself and your partner from sexually transmitted infections like HPV.
FAQ
Yes, most men may not have any symptoms and can still pass the virus to their sexual partners.
Although condoms reduce the risk of HPV transmission, they do not provide complete protection from HPV.
Yes, mostly HPV naturally clears within one to two years. However, in some cases, it may develop into cancer.
There are no routine tests for identifying HPV in men. In men, it is detected only when symptoms such as genital warts develop or if cancers are detected.
Reference Links
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/HPV-and-cancer
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papilloma-virus-and-cancer
