Does HPV only affect women? Not at all – men are at risk too!
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What is HPV?
You 've probably heard of HPV ( Human Papillomavirus ) .
Many people often think This is not a female - only issue , but in reality , HPV affects both men and women .
Men are not immune to HPV — and in fact , the virus can cause serious health problems .
▶ Can men get HPV ?
Have.
HPV is extremely common , with most sexually active men getting it at least once in their lifetime .
In many cases , the virus will go away on its own without causing symptoms .
However , some high - risk HPV strains can lead to :
- Anal cancer : HPV is one of the leading causes of anal cancer in men .
- Oropharyngeal cancer : This is the most common HPV - related cancer in men , affecting the throat , tonsils , base of the tongue , lips , nose , or salivary glands . The risk increases if you smoke or drink alcohol .
- Genital warts : HPV can cause warts in the genital area . Even if the warts are small or not visible , they can still be passed to a sexual partner .
▶ Men also need to prevent HPV
HPV - related diseases can be completely prevented in the following ways :
1. HPV vaccination
- This is the most effective way to prevent cancer and genital warts caused by HPV .
- The CDC recommends vaccination for males aged 9–26 years .
- Men aged 27–45 years can consider vaccination depending on their individual condition .
2. Safe sex
- Using condoms correctly helps reduce the risk of HPV infection .
- However , condoms do not cover the entire genital area and so cannot provide 100 % protection .
3. Regular health check - ups
- Regular checkups are important for early detection and treatment of HPV - related diseases .
▶ HPV does not discriminate by gender
HPV is not just a women 's problem . Men are also at risk of HPV infection and dangerous complications .
To protect health , men need :
- Understanding the risks of HPV
- Vaccination
- Practice safe sex
- Regular check - ups and screening
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