There are over 100 different types of HPV, or human papillomavirus, with more than 30 of them being sexually transmitted. Arthur Schoenstadt, MD, author of the eMedTV article "HPV in Men," states that about 50 percent of sexually active men contract HPV. But while men have HPV more often than women, they do not always show symptoms.
Asymptomatic
Not all forms of HPV result in symptoms. Schoenstadt explains that the virus hides in the mucous membranes or the skin. The asymptomatic types of HPV do not require treatment and leave the body without causing lasting effects. Men who have these types of HPV may pass the virus on to their sexual partners, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Genital Warts
Schoenstadt notes that the most prevalent symptom of HPV in men is genital warts, which form on the groin, penis, scrotum or thigh. Once the man has contracted the virus, the warts start to appear within a few weeks or months. The CDC adds that about 1 percent of sexually active men have genital warts. The strains of HPV linked to genital warts include 6, 11, 30, 40-45, 51 and 54. The patient may have one or more warts, which appear either raised, cauliflower-shaped or flat. The coloring of the warts is pink or flesh-colored. Most of the genital warts are visible, though a vinegar solution may be used to identify flat warts. HPV can also cause warts in other areas of the body, such as plantar warts or common warts. For example, plantar warts tend to form on the heels or balls of the patient's feet.
Cancer
Rarely, HPV causes penile or anal cancers in men. The CDC states that one in 100,000 men develop penile cancer. The patient may not have symptoms, though he may develop a sore on his penis. He may also have a change in color on his penis, or a thickening of the skin. The symptoms of penile cancer may not appear until the cancer is advanced. Schoenstadt adds that homosexual and bisexual men are 17 times more likely to have anal cancer. Possible symptoms include anal bleeding, swollen lymph nodes and changes in the bowels. While Pap smears are done to detect anal cancer, the CDC does not recommend them. Men are also more prone to anal cancer from HPV if they have a weaker immune system, such as from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
