Men’s health centre

HPV infection in men

Much of the information about HPV (human papillomavirus) centres on women, since having the virus increases their risk of getting cervical cancer. However, HPV virus in men can cause health problems, too. It's important for men to understand how to reduce the risks of HPV infection.

HPV infection can increase a man's risk of getting genital cancers, although these cancers are not common. HPV can also cause genital warts in men, just as in women.

The Health Protection Agency says HPV infections are extremely common in the sexually active population and are particularly common in the first few years after onset of sexual activity.  Genital warts are the most common viral STI diagnosed in the UK.

The highest rates of new cases are in 20-24 year old men and 16-19 year old women. Warts are found on or around the penis, anus or vagina.

Risks of HPV infection in men

Some of the 30 or so types of HPV associated with genital cancers can lead to cancer of the anus or penis in men. Both of these cancer types are rare, especially in men with a healthy immune system. Cancer Research UK says there are around 930 cases of anal cancer diagnosed in the UK each year and fewer than 500 new cases of penile cancer diagnosed in the UK each year.

The risk of anal cancer is greater in those men, and women, who have receptive anal intercourse. Those who have HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) are also at higher risk of getting this cancer.

Other types of HPV virus rarely cause cancer in men, but they do cause genital warts.

The symptoms of HPV in men

The types of high-risk HPV that can cause cancer rarely present any symptoms in men or in women. Genital warts are the first symptom you may see with low-risk HPV strains that cause warts but not cancer.

Tests for HPV infection in men

To diagnose genital warts in men, the doctor will visually check a man's genital area to see if warts are present. Some doctors will apply a vinegar solution to help identify warts that aren't raised and visible. However, the test is not foolproof. Sometimes normal skin is mistakenly identified as a wart.

There is no routine test for men to check for high-risk HPV strains that can cause cancer. However, some doctors are urging anal smear tests for gay and bisexual men, who are at higher risk of anal cancer caused by HPV. In an anal smear test, the doctor collects cells from the anus, and then has them checked for abnormalities in a laboratory.

Treatments for HPV infection in men

There is no treatment for HPV infection in men when no symptoms are present. Instead, doctors treat the health problems that are caused by the HPV virus.

When genital warts appear, a variety of treatments can be used. The patient can apply prescription creams at home, or a doctor can surgically remove or freeze the warts.

Early treatment of warts is discouraged by some doctors because genital warts can go away on their own. It can also take time for all warts to appear. So a person who treats warts as soon as they appear may need another treatment later on.

Anal cancer can be treated with radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery. The specific treatments depend on the stage of cancer - how big the tumour is and how far the cancer has spread.