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 papillomavirus can bring certain disturbances in sexual life and provoke the appearance of related health problems.
The reasons
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 ordinary intimate contact, but also through oral contact. In gay men, HPV enters through anal contact through breaks in the skin and into the rectum. Traumatization of the mucous membranes during sexual intercourse increases the risk of infection.
- Household route of infection. The virus can be in a viable state for a long time in a humid environment, and therefore there is a high probability of its transmission 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 instruments in dental or surgical rooms is possible.
- From mother to baby during childbirth.
Men who frequently change sexual partners are more likely to become HPV positive.
It is believed that the younger the girls are, the more likely they are to have the human papilloma virus in their bodies; most cases of detected infection occur at the age of up to 25 years. Virgins can also become infected with HPV, since oral and other sexual relations are often practiced before traditional sex.
Unfortunately, barrier contraception, that is, a condom, does not provide a 100% guarantee of prevention of HPV infection. This is because this microorganism, due to its small size, easily penetrates through the pores of the latex. Of course, a condom reduces the chance of a possible infection, but it does not eliminate it completely.
It must also be taken into account that the microorganism is found in a certain amount in saliva and, therefore, can be transmitted through kissing.
The risk of a possible HPV infection is increased in men who have bad habits. The probability 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 papilloma virus, a man cannot 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 transmission of the infection takes a period of two weeks to a year, in some cases this interval is significantly lengthened.
Activation of the virus leads to the fact that part of it accumulates in a certain place on the skin or on the mucous membranes. The accumulation and development of the papilloma virus changes the functions of the epithelial cells and this gives rise to a process similar to a tumor.
Papillomas can form almost anywhere on our 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 and threadlike bumps on the legs. The greatest danger is genital warts, in men they are located 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 together, forming a growth that resembles a cauliflower.
By themselves, genital warts are unsightly only because of a cosmetic defect. But if they are not removed and generally treated with a papillomatous infection, there is a risk that the altered epithelial cells will degenerate into cancer cells.
Sometimes during sexual intercourse or careless movements, papillomas are injured, which causes light 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 genital warts growing rapidly and spreading inside the urethra. This leads to its partial or complete blockage, which negatively affects the flow 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 frequently in men who practice non-traditional sexual relations. When engaging in oral sex, there is a risk of the formation of papillomas in the throat, which is manifested by various uncomfortable sensations.
A man infected with HPV also poses a certain danger to the women around him. For a wife or other sexual partner, that 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
The establishment of the diagnosis begins with an examination of the external genital organs and the entire body of the patient.
The doctor must necessarily collect an anamnesis, that is, clarify when the formations appeared on the body, what the patient associates the growth of it with, and establish whether there are certain complaints.
To confirm the diagnosis, the patient must pass several tests, these are:
- A swab or scraping of the mucus lining inside the urethra.
- PCR test to determine the type of virus, its quantitative content. This analysis is performed after taking a smear, prostate secretions 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 mucosal 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 papilloma virus in men.
The selection of methods to treat human papillomavirus in men depends on which strain of the virus is detected in man.
If a pathogen with high oncogenic activity is detected, 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 various 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 the observance of elementary rules in everyday life, that is, the use of only your own towel and underwear, following a healthy lifestyle.
The infection can be prevented by vaccination. A special HPV vaccine has been developed, it is administered three times at a certain interval. Vaccination leads to the fact that the body develops immunity to certain strains of the papillomavirus.