E was diagnosed with CIN1, a precancerous condition of the cervix caused by a persistent infection with HPV. When I told her husband that he should also receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, his expression shifted from surprise to disbelief.
"Me? Doc, why would I need it? I don’t have any symptoms. I’m fine," he said.
I had anticipated this reaction. "You may not have symptoms, but HPV affects men too. You could have the virus without knowing it. It’s the same virus that’s causing these changes in your wife’s cervix," I explained.
How Common is HPV Infection Among Men?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Globally, about one in three men is infected with HPV, with HPV 16 being the most common type. This means men are susceptible to HPV throughout their lives.
What Are the Advantages of HPV Vaccination?
HPV poses significant health risks to men, including various cancers and other conditions. It is crucial for men to receive the HPV vaccine not only for their own health but also to help prevent the spread of the virus and protect public health.
Benefits of the vaccine include:
Prevention of Future HPV Infections The HPV vaccine protects against several high-risk strains of the virus, including those that cause cancers and genital warts. Even if you don't have symptoms now, you could still be exposed to HPV in the future. The vaccine can help protect you from acquiring new strains of the virus.
Protecting Your Partner HPV is highly contagious and can spread through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity, including oral, vaginal, and anal sex. Even using condoms doesn't fully protect against HPV, as the virus can infect areas not covered by the condom.
Although the immune system may clear some HPV infections naturally, vaccination can reduce the risk of transmitting the virus between you and your partner. This is especially important since some HPV strains cause persistent infections, which can lead to more severe cervical abnormalities, like in E’s case.
Reducing the Risk of HPV-Related Cancers HPV is linked to several cancers in men, including penile, anal, and throat cancers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 70% of throat cancers in the United States are caused by HPV. This is particularly concerning as the incidence of HPV-related throat cancers in men has been rising in recent years.
Unlike cervical cancer, which has routine screening methods like Pap tests to detect precancerous cells, there is no regular screening for these cancers in men. This makes prevention through vaccination even more crucial. These cancers often develop silently over time, so while you may not have symptoms now, vaccination reduces the long-term risk of these serious conditions.
Prevention of Genital Warts Another significant benefit of HPV vaccination for men is the prevention of genital warts. HPV types 6 and 11 cause about 90% of genital warts, which, while not life-threatening, can cause discomfort, emotional distress, and require medical treatment. Vaccination can prevent the development of genital warts, improving quality of life.
HPV Infections Are Often Asymptomatic You can have HPV without knowing it. The absence of symptoms doesn’t mean you haven’t been exposed or won’t be exposed in the future. The vaccine is preventive and works best when given before exposure, but it can still protect against strains you haven’t encountered yet.
How Effective is the Vaccine?
HPV vaccines are highly effective at preventing infections from the most dangerous strains of the virus. They cover HPV types 16 and 18, which are responsible for most HPV-related cancers, as well as types 6 and 11, which cause genital warts. Even if you’ve been exposed to one strain, the vaccine can still protect against others.
While the vaccine is most effective when given at a younger age (before sexual activity begins), adults up to age 45 can still benefit from it.
Conclusion
After discussing the benefits, E’s husband understood the importance of getting vaccinated and received three vaccination shots over six months.
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