Papillomavirus infection is widespread throughout the world. HPV infection occurs regardless of age and sex, but the course of the disease and its development have their own characteristics in men and women.
For the stronger sex, the papilloma virus can cause certain disturbances in sex and cause related health problems to arise.
The reasons
Human papillomavirus has such a microscopic structure that it can enter the body through the smallest cracks in the skin and mucous membranes.
In this regard, there are several possible HPV infections, these are:
- Sexual transmission. You can get an infection not only through normal close contact, but also through ingestion. In gay men, HPV enters through rectal contact through cracks in the skin and in the anus. Trauma to the mucous membrane during sex increases the risk of infection.
- Household route of infection. The virus can remain in a viable state for a long time in a moist environment, so there is a high probability that it will be transmitted in baths, saunas, through a personal towel. Cases of infection are described in beauty salons where the rules for disinfecting hand hygiene kits and other tools were neglected. Transmission of the virus through dental or surgical instruments is possible.
- From mother to child during birth.
Men who frequently change sexual partners are most likely to become HPV-positive.
It is believed that the younger the girls are, the more likely they are to have papillomavirus in their body - most cases of infection that are detected occur at up to the age of 25. Virgins can also be infected with HPV, as oral and other forms of intercourse are often performed before traditional sex.
Unfortunately, barrier contraception, that is a condom, does not provide a 100% guarantee of preventing HPV infection. This is because this microorganism, due to its minimal size, easily penetrates the pores of the latex. Naturally, a condom reduces the chances of a possible infection, but does not completely eliminate it.
It should also be borne in mind that the microorganism is found in certain quantities in saliva and can therefore be transmitted by kissing.
The risk of possible HPV infection increases in men who have bad habits. The chance of infection increases with the weakening of the body's defenses, after prolonged treatment, during antibiotics.
Symptoms
The fact that he is a carrier of the papillomavirus, one cannot suspect until the activation of the vital activity of this microorganism takes place. The reason for this change is often the weakness of the immune system.
The latent transmission of the infection lasts from two weeks to a year, in some cases this interval is significantly longer.
The activation of the virus leads to the accumulation of parts of it in a certain place on the skin or on the mucous membrane. Accumulation and development of papillomavirus alters the function of epithelial cells and this causes a tumor-like process.
Papillomas can form on almost any part of the body, most often they are noticeable when they appear in the armpits, on the face, neck and genitals. Sometimes the process of formation of papillomas is accompanied by itching and burning.
Papillomavirus formations on the body grow in the form of plaques, warts, filamentous bumps on the legs. The biggest risk is genital warts, in men they are located on the penis, can grow around the anus or inside the urethra.
At first, these growths usually look like small pimples, in advanced cases they can coalesce and form growths that resemble cauliflower in shape.
On their own, genital warts are uncomfortable only because of cosmetic flaws. But if they are not removed and generally treated with papillomatous infection, there is a risk of degeneration of the changed epithelial cells into cancer cells.
Sometimes, during intercourse or careless movements, papillomas are injured, which leads to slight bleeding and soreness. With the strengthening of the immune system, self-healing often occurs, that is, the papillomas disappear or they become smaller.
Effects
The consequences of infection with papillomavirus for men are very unpleasant and depend on the strain of this microorganism.
If the internal urethra is affected, there is a risk of rapid growth and spread of genital warts inside the urethra. This leads to its partial or complete blockage, which has a negative effect on the outflow of urine and affects the development of disorders in the functioning of the urinary system.
The appearance of growths on the glans penis, around the anus, and in the rectum increases the likelihood that a benign growth will become malignant.
Rectal cancer is diagnosed more often in men who practice non-traditional sex. During oral sex, there is a risk of the formation of papillomas in the throat, which is manifested by various unpleasant sensations.
A man infected with HPV also poses a certain risk to women in his environment. For a wife or other partner, such a person will be the most likely source of infection. There is a risk of infection and sisters, mothers, daughters when one towel is used, bathroom equipment in the family.
Diagnostic methods
Establishing the diagnosis begins with an examination of the patient's external genitalia and entire body.
The doctor must necessarily collect an anamnesis, that is to clarify when the formations appeared on the body, to what the patient associates their growth and to find out if there are certain complaints.
To confirm the diagnosis, the patient must pass several tests, these are:
- Wipe or scrape the mucus layer inside the urethra.
- PCR test to determine the type of virus, the amount of its content. This analysis is performed after taking a smear, prostate secretion or blood.
- Biopsy - examination of a tissue sample taken when genital warts are removed or changes in the mucous layer are initiated.
- Ureteroscopy helps to visually examine changes in the urethra.
Men who have intercourse with same-sex partners are advised to examine swabs taken from the rectal area.
Ways to treat papillomavirus in men
The choice of methods to treat human papillomavirus in men depends on which strain of the virus is detected in the man.
If a pathogen with high carcinogenic activity is detected, then effective antiviral therapy is prescribed, and in the future it is necessary to constantly repeat the tests.
Papillomas and condylomas are removed from the skin and mucous membrane in several ways. This can be either a traditional scalpel incision or more modern methods - laser therapy, electrocoagulation, radio wave method.
After papillomas have been removed, it is necessary to increase the body's resistance to infections, which reduces the risk of infection with another type of HPV.
Prevention
To prevent human papillomavirus infection, sexual intercourse is consensual and, if possible, sexual intercourse only with a trusted partner. The prevention methods include following the basic rules in daily life, this is only the use of own towels and underwear, following a healthy lifestyle.
Infection can be prevented by vaccination. A special vaccine has been developed against HPV, it is given three times at certain intervals. Vaccination causes the body to develop immunity to certain strains of papillomavirus.