The Side Effects of HPV in Men

One of the most common sexually transmitted viruses in existence, HPV, or human papillomavirus, has--by some estimates--infected most people who have led sexually active lifestyles. While risk factors such as promiscuity and homosexuality increase the chances of being infected, only abstinence is a sure way of avoiding the virus. Even the use of a condom is not foolproof, as the virus can spread through areas not covered by the latex.

Penile Cancer

• While many instances of HPV go undetected and their hosts remain asymptomatic, the virus can cause serious conditions in some cases. A worst-case scenario is penile cancer, which can develop in men with HPV. This type of cancer is sometimes without symptoms until the advanced stages, but early warning signs could include a thickening of the skin around the penis, as well as sores in the genital area.

Anal Cancer

• Another worst-case scenario, anal cancer is a rare side effect of HPV in men. The disease is often characterized by a host of symptoms including bleeding and pain from the rectal area, as well as swollen nodes in the area of the groin and anus. Changes in the shape and color of stool may also be an early indication of anal cancer.

Genital Warts

• Genital warts are the most common male side effect of HPV. These warts show up on the penis itself, as well as the testicles, the area surrounding the crotch, the thighs and the anus. These warts are usually not painful, and may be either raised away from the skin or flat. These warts may not show up until months after the individual has sex with an infected person.

HPV Statistics

• Approximately 1 percent of men who are sexually active are experiencing symptoms of HPV, including genital warts. Though both have been strongly linked to HPV, both penile and anal cancers are rather rare even in those who have been infected. The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately one in every 100,000 men are infected with penile cancer each year.

Treatment

• Though a vaccine exists for HPV, it is currently only approved for women under the age of 26, and is geared toward the prevention of cervical cancer. There is no cure or treatment for HPV in men, though there are treatments for the side effects, such as genital warts. These warts are treated in the same way any warts are treated, with removal options including freezing and surgery. Penile and anal cancers can be treated through radiation therapy and chemotherapy, as well as surgery, depending on how advanced the diseases are when diagnosed.