Papillomavirus infection is widespread throughout 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 some discomfort in sexual life and provoke the appearance of related health problems.
reason
The human papillomavirus has such a microscopic structure that it can enter the body through the smallest microcracks 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 the usual intimate contact, but also through oral contact. In gay men, HPV enters through anal contact through cracks in the skin and in the rectum. Traumatizing the mucosa during sex increases the risk of infection.
- Domestic route of infection. The virus can be stable for a long time in a wet environment and therefore has a high probability of its transmission in bathrooms, saunas, through a personal towel. There have been described cases of infection in beauty salons, where the rules for disinfecting nail polish sets and other tools have been neglected. Transmission of the virus through instruments in dental or surgical rooms is possible.
- From mother to child during birth.
Men who frequently change sexual partners are more likely to become HPV-positive.
It is believed that the younger a girl is, the more likely she is to have papillomavirus in her body - most cases of detected infection occur at the age of up to 25 years. Virgins can also be infected with HPV, as oral and other sexual intercourse is often practiced before traditional sex.
Unfortunately, barrier contraception, namely the condom, does not offer a 100% guarantee of preventing HPV infection. This is due to the fact that this microorganism, due to its minimal size, easily penetrates through the pores of the latex. Of course, a condom reduces the chance of a possible infection, but it does not 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 possible HPV infection increases in men who have bad habits. The possibility of infection increases with the weakening of the body's defenses, after prolonged treatment, while 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.
Latent transport of infection lasts from two weeks to a year, in some cases this interval is significantly extended.
The activation of the virus leads to the fact that a part of it accumulates in a certain place on the skin or mucous membrane. The accumulation and development of the papillomavirus changes the functions of the epithelial cells and this leads to a tumor-like process.
Papillomas can form on almost any part of our body, most often they become visible when they appear on the armpits, on the 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, filiform bumps on the legs. The biggest risk is genital warts, in men they are located on the penis, they can grow around the anus or inside the urethra.
At first, these outgrowths most often look like small pimples, in advanced cases they can merge with each other, forming a growth that resembles a cauliflower in shape.
By themselves, genital warts are unpleasant only because of 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 epithelial cells changed into cancerous ones.
Sometimes, during sexual intercourse or careless movements, papillomas are injured, which leads to light bleeding and pain. With the strengthening of the immune system, self-healing often occurs, that is, the papillomas disappear or they 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 output 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 detected more often in men who practice non-traditional sexual relations. When performing oral sex, there is a risk of the formation of papillomas in the throat, which are manifested by various unpleasant sensations.
A man infected with HPV also poses a certain risk to the women in his environment. For a woman 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 the examination of the external genitalia and the patient's entire body.
The doctor must necessarily collect an anamnesis, that is, clarify when the formations appeared on the body, with what the patient relates their growth and determine if there are certain complaints.
To confirm the diagnosis, the patient must pass several tests, these are:
- A swab or itching from the mucous layer inside the urethra.
- PCR test to determine the type of virus, its quantitative content. This analysis is performed after taking smear, prostate 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 homosexual 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 men depends on the type of virus detected in the man.
If a pathogen with high oncogenic activity is detected, then an effective antiviral treatment is prescribed, and in the future it is necessary to constantly repeat the tests.
Papillomas and condylomas are removed from the skin and mucous membranes in several ways. This can be either a conventional scalpel cut or more modern methods - laser treatment, electrocoagulation, radio wave method.
After removing papillomas, it is necessary to increase the body's resistance to infections, which will reduce the risk of infection with another type of HPV.
prevention
Prevention of human papillomavirus infection is understanding in sexual relations and, if possible, sexual contacts only with trusted partners. Prevention methods include observing basic rules in everyday life, that is, using only your own towels and underwear, following a healthy lifestyle.
Infection can be prevented by vaccination. A special vaccine has been created against HPV, it is given three times at a certain interval. Vaccination leads to the fact that the body develops immunity to certain types of papillomavirus.