How Is HPV Different in Men? Symptoms, Testing, and Treatment

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of over 200 types of viruses that cause painless skin growths or warts on different parts of your body. It’s a very common infection. More than 8 in 10 people will have HPV during their lifetime. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the U.S. 

The virus typically lives in skin cells, making it easier to spread from person to person. About 40 types of HPV are spread through sexual contact. But HPV can also be spread through close contact with someone who has the virus. So, HPV is a risk for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or sexual activity.

This article pays special attention to HPV in men. We’ll go through the symptoms of HPV in men, how and when to get tested, and what to expect if you or a partner has HPV.

How common is human papillomavirus (HPV) in men?

As mentioned above, HPV is very common. Genital HPV, in particular, affects nearly 1 in 3 men aged 15 and older. 

Sexually transmitted HPV falls into two categories: low risk and high risk. The risk is determined by which types can cause cancer. About 1 in 5 (21%) men have high-risk HPV. High-risk HPVs usually affect moist areas of the body, like the: 

• Genitals, including the anal area and inner foreskin regions of the penis

• Mouth

• Throat

• Eyelids 

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Do you need an anal pap smear? An anal pap smear can detect early signs of anal cancer before it starts. Learn how it’s performed and who needs one.

• Treatment for genital warts: There are many different treatment options for genital warts. Read about the vaccine that can help prevent them.

• Your guide to STD testing: Our experts provide a complete guide to the most common sexually transmitted infections, and explain how and when you should get tested for them.

High-risk HPVs have also been linked to and identified as the main cause of certain cancers, including:

• Anal cancer

• Oropharyngeal (throat) cancer

• Penile cancer

Low-risk HPV types don’t usually cause cancer. But they can still cause warts that show up in the genital, anal, mouth, and throat regions. These types of HPV are typically sexually transmitted but may also be passed on during childbirth.

What are the symptoms of HPV in men?

Symptoms of HPV can take months or even years to develop. Sometimes warts may appear, but this doesn’t happen to everyone with HPV. In fact, most people typically don’t have any symptoms. 

If men do get warts, they can appear on various parts of their body. These growths may be flat in some people and raised or cauliflower-shaped in others. They may appear on the:

• Penis

• Scrotum

• Anus

• Thighs

• Mouth, throat, or even in a beard

• Hands, especially near their fingernails

For most people, their immune system clears HPV in a few years. This means the body naturally fights off the virus before symptoms develop. But this isn’t always the case.

If the virus goes untreated and the body doesn’t clear the infection, HPV can lead to various types of cancer. Some men don’t know they have HPV until they develop a cancer related to their HPV infection. 

Symptoms of anal cancer include bleeding around the anus or rectal area or a bump in this area. A person with throat cancer or penile cancer may find a lump or experience pain and swelling in the affected area.

How is HPV transmitted to men?

HPV can live on the skin and can be spread through sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. HPV can also spread in skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the virus. It’s important to note that the person who spreads HPV may not have any symptoms or visible warts. 

HPV is more likely to be transmitted among men who:

• Are sexually active at a young age

• Have unprotected sex

• Have a greater number of sexual partners

How can men get tested for HPV?

There’s no specific blood or urine test for HPV in men.

HPV testing is usually done with something called a pap smear. This is a routine test for women and people with a cervix. It collects a small sample of cells and tests those cells for any changes that could be early cancer. 

For men, anal pap smears can also help detect HPV. These are less common than cervical pap smears. And most men won’t need or get this test. But it’s recommended for people who are at a higher risk of anal cancer. This includes people who:

• Have anal sex regularly

• Have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or another medical condition that weakness their immune system

• Have a history of HPV infection or a history of precancerous cells in their anus or cervix

But an HPV diagnosis doesn’t always require testing. If you notice any new warts forming on your body — especially in your genital area — schedule an appointment with your primary care provider. They may be able to diagnose HPV based on the appearance of the warts.

What is the treatment for HPV in men?

There’s no cure or treatment for HPV. But there are treatment options for the warts that they cause. These include medications like:

• Podofilox (Condylox), which is a gel that is applied to warts twice daily for 3 days. 

• Sinecatechins (Veregen), which is an ointment applied three times a day.

• Imiquimod (Aldara) is a cream applied to the skin.

• Salicylic Acid (Virasal) is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) cream. It also comes in liquid form and in patches and pads.

These medications are applied directly on the skin and may be prescribed for weeks or even months to treat warts. In cases where there are a large number of warts, healthcare professionals may treat warts using procedures like:

• Curettage: The wart is scraped off with special tools. Sometimes, the wart may be treated with salicylic acid first, but this may not always be the case.

• Cryotherapy: This procedure uses very cold temperatures to freeze and break down wart tissue.

• Laser surgery: An option when cryotherapy and medications aren’t working. Healthcare professionals use a laser to heat and destroy the wart.

• Photodynamic therapy: A special gel is placed on the wart and left alone for several hours. A healthcare professional will then shine a light on the gel, which then activates and breaks down the wart tissue.

How can men prevent contracting and spreading HPV?

Even though HPV is highly contagious, there are ways to reduce your risk for getting and spreading this virus: 

• Condom use can reduce the spread of HPV. The likelihood of getting an HPV infection is higher among men who don’t use condoms. This is because condoms can act as a physical barrier for HPV.

• Male circumcision may also decrease the likelihood of getting HPV and spreading it to their partner. This is because the foreskin can be a comfortable spot for viruses like HPV to hide out.

• Smoking cessation may reduce the odds of men developing HPV. One study found that men who smoke cigarettes have greater odds of getting genital HPV than men who don’t smoke. 

The HPV vaccine is another option. It helps to protect against certain types of HPV and may prevent genital warts caused by the virus. It’s also used to prevent certain cancers related to HPV, like cervical and anal cancer. 

The vaccine is recommended in young people between the ages of 9 and 12, but it’s also recommended for people up to age 26. Adults over age 26 may not get as much protection from HPV with the vaccine.

If you’re concerned you may have HPV, talk to a healthcare professional about your concerns and any contact you’ve had with someone who has HPV. They can provide guidance on next steps and treatment, if needed.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Alexandria Nyembwe, PhD, MBA, RN

Alexandria Nyembwe has been a registered nurse since 2017. She has a background in cardiac care and has clinic experience as a nurse, serving people experiencing housing instability.

Edited by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts