Papillomavirus infection is spread all over the world. HPV infection occurs regardless of age and gender, but the course of the disease and its development has its own characteristics in men and women.
For the stronger sex, the papilloma virus can bring certain disturbances in sexual life and provoke the occurrence of related health problems.
The reasons
The human papillomavirus has such a microscopic structure that it can enter the body through the smallest microcracks on 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 regular intimate contact, but also through oral contact. In homosexual men, HPV enters through anal contact through cracks in the skin and rectum. Traumatization of the mucous membranes during sex increases the risk of infection.
- Domestic route of infection. The virus can remain in a viable state for a long time in a humid environment, and therefore there is a high probability that it will be transmitted in baths, saunas, through a personal towel. Cases of infection in beauty salons are described, where the rules for disinfecting manicure sets and other tools were neglected. Transmission of the virus through tools in dental or surgical practices is possible.
- From mother to child during birth.
Men who change sexual partners often are more likely to become HPV positive.
It is believed that the younger the girl, the more likely she has papillomavirus in her body: most cases of detected infection occur by the age of 25. Virgins can also be infected with HPV, as oral and other sexual intercourse is often performed before traditional sex.
Unfortunately, barrier contraception, i. e. a condom, does not provide a 100% guarantee of preventing HPV infection. This is due to the fact that this microorganism, due to its small size, easily penetrates through the pores of the latex. Of course, a condom reduces the likelihood of a possible infection, but it doesn't completely eliminate it.
It should also be borne in mind that the microorganism is found in a certain amount in saliva and, therefore, can be transmitted through kisses.
The risk of a possible HPV infection increases in men who have bad habits. The likelihood of infection increases with the weakening of the body's defenses, after prolonged treatment, when taking antibiotics.
Symptoms
The fact that he is a carrier of the papillomavirus, a man may not suspect until the activation of the vital activity of this microorganism occurs. The reason for this change is often the weakening of the functioning of the immune defense.
The latent carriage of the infection takes from two weeks to a year, in some cases this interval is significantly lengthened.
The activation of the virus leads to the fact that part of it accumulates in a certain place on the skin or mucous membranes. The accumulation and development of the papillomavirus changes the functions of epithelial cells and this gives rise to a tumor-like process.
Papillomas can form on almost any part of our body, most often they become noticeable when they appear in the armpits, face, neck and genitals. Sometimes the process of papilloma formation is accompanied by itching and burning.
Papillomavirus formations on the body grow in the form of plaques, warts, thread-like bumps on the legs. The greatest danger is genital warts, in men they are found on the penis, they can grow around the anus or inside the urethra.
At first, these growths often look like small pimples, in advanced cases they can merge with each other, forming a growth resembling the shape of a cauliflower.
By themselves, genital warts are only unsightly due to a cosmetic defect. But if they are not removed and treated in general with a papillomatous infection, then there is a risk of degeneration of the altered epithelial cells into cancerous.
Sometimes, during sexual intercourse or careless movements, papillomas are injured, which leads to slight bleeding and pain. With the strengthening of the immune system, self-healing often occurs, that is, the papillomas disappear or become smaller.
Effects
The consequences of papillomavirus infection for men are very unpleasant and depend on the strain of this microorganism.
If the inside of the 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 negatively affects the outflow of urine and affects the development of disorders in the functioning of the urinary organs.
The appearance of growths on the glans penis, around the anus and in the rectum increases the likelihood that a benign formation will become malignant.
Rectal cancer is most often found in men who engage in nontraditional sex. When performing 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 danger to women in his environment. For a wife or other sexual partner, such a man will be the most likely source of infection. There is a risk of infection and sisters, mothers, daughters when using a towel, bathroom accessories in the family.
Diagnostic methods
Establishing the diagnosis begins with an examination of the external genital organs and the patient's entire body.
The doctor must necessarily collect an anamnesis, that is, clarify when the formations appeared on the body, what the patient associates their growth with, and establish whether there are certain ailments.
To confirm the diagnosis, the patient must pass several tests, these are:
- A swab or scraping from the mucous layer inside the urethra.
- PCR test to determine the type of virus, its quantitative content. This analysis is performed after taking a smear, prostatic secretion or blood.
- Biopsy: A study of a tissue sample taken during the removal of genital warts or from the site of a change in the mucous layer.
- Ureteroscopy helps to visually examine changes in the urethra.
Men who have same-sex contacts are advised to examine swabs taken from the anal area.
Methods for the treatment of papillomavirus in men
The selection of methods for the treatment of human papillomavirus in humans depends on the strain of the virus detected in humans.
If a pathogen with high oncogenic activity is detected, effective antiviral treatment is prescribed, and in the future it is necessary to constantly repeat tests.
Papillomas and condylomas are removed from the skin and mucous membranes in different ways. This can be a conventional scalpel cut or more modern methods: laser treatment, electrocoagulation, radio wave method.
After the removal of papillomas, it is necessary to increase the body's resistance to infection, which will reduce the risk of infection with another type of HPV.
Prevention
Prevention of human papillomavirus infection is intelligibility in sexual intercourse and, if possible, sexual contacts only with trusted partners. Prevention methods include observing elementary rules in everyday life, this is using only your own towel and underwear, following a healthy lifestyle.
Infection can be prevented by vaccination. A special HPV vaccine has been developed, which is administered three times at a certain interval. Vaccination leads to the fact that the body develops immunity to certain strains of papillomaviruses.