The Signs & Symptoms of HPV in Men

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a sexually transmitted disease that affects men, as well as women. Until September 9, 2009, Gardasil, the HPV vaccination, was not approved for use by men. Only four strains of HPV---6, 11, 16 and 18---cause symptoms in men. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), other strains of HPV go away without the need for treatment. However, the symptoms of HPV are serious: genital warts, anal cancer and penile cancer.

Genital Warts

One of the symptoms of HPV in men is genital warts, which are caused by HPV strains 6 and 11, or the "low-risk" strains of HPV. According to the CDC, genital warts can appear on the penis, testicles, groin, thighs and anus---wherever the patient came into contact with his infected partner. The warts appear as either raised, flat or cauliflower-shaped. In addition, the genital warts can be singular, or form in groups. The onset ranges from a few weeks to months after contracting the virus. Treatment options for genital warts include freezing, medicine or surgery.

Anal Cancer

One of the most severe symptoms of HPV in men is anal cancer, which is caused by the "high-risk" HPV strains 16 and 18. Some patients may not have symptoms, according to the CDC. If a patient does have symptoms of anal cancer, he can display anal bleeding, swollen lymph nodes in the anal or groin area, pain, itching or discharge, and a change in bowel habits or the shape of stool. Some groups who have an increased risk of contracting anal cancer, homosexual and bisexual men or men who are HIV positive, may have an anal Pap smear; anal Pap smears detect abnormal cells, which are later removed. However, the CDC does not recommend anal Pap smears, since there is not enough clinical evidence.

Penile Cancer

The other serious symptom of HPV, penile cancer, is also caused by the "high-risk" HPV strains 16 and 18. Some patients with penile cancer may not have symptoms until the cancer has become very advanced. Primary symptoms of penile cancer are a change in color, skin thickening and build up of tissue around the penis. When the cancer has become more severe, painless growths appear on the patient's penis. However, in some cases, the growths may be painful and bleed.