Papillomavirus infection is widespread throughout the world. HPV infection occurs regardless of age and sex, but the course of the disease and its development in men and women have their own characteristics.
For the stronger sex, the papilloma virus can cause certain disturbances in sexual life and provoke the emergence of related health problems.
Reasons
The human papillomavirus has such a microscopic structure that it can enter the body through the smallest microcracks of the skin and mucous membranes.
In this regard, there are several possible HPV infections, they are:
- Sexual transmission. You can get infected not only through normal intimate contact, but also through oral contact. In homosexual men, HPV enters through anal contact through cracks in the skin and in the rectum. Traumatizing the mucous membranes during intercourse 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, and therefore there is a high probability that it will be transmitted in baths, saunas, through a personal towel. Cases of infection have been described in beauty salons where the rules for disinfecting manicure sets and other tools were not followed. Transmission of the virus with instruments in dental or surgical offices is possible.
- From mother to child during childbirth.
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 the papilloma virus in her body - the majority of detected cases of infection occur under the age of 25. Virgins can also become infected with HPV because oral and other types of intercourse are often practiced before traditional intercourse.
Unfortunately, barrier contraception, that is, a condom, does not provide 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 latex. Of course, a condom reduces the chance of possible infection, but does not completely prevent it.
It should also be borne in mind that the microorganism is found in saliva in a certain quantity 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 long-term treatment, during the use of antibiotics.
Symptoms
A man may not suspect that he is a carrier of the papillomavirus until the vital activity of this microorganism is activated. The reason for these changes is often a weakening of the immune system.
Latent transmission 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 part of it accumulates in a certain place on the skin or on the mucous membranes. The accumulation and development of the papillomavirus alters 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 noticeable when they appear in the armpits, on the face, neck and genitals. Sometimes the process of papilloma formation is accompanied by itching and burning.
Formations of the papilloma virus on the body grow in the form of plaques, warts, filiform ridges on the legs. The greatest danger is genital warts, in men they are located on the penis, can grow around the anus or inside the urethra.
At first, these growths most often look like small pimples, in advanced cases they can merge with each other, forming a growth that resembles a cauliflower in shape.
Genital warts in themselves are unpleasant only because of a cosmetic defect. But if they are not removed and the papillomatous infection is not treated at all, then there is a risk that the changed epithelial cells degenerate into cancer cells.
Sometimes during sexual intercourse or careless movements, papillomas are injured, which causes slight bleeding and soreness. When the immune system is strengthened, self-healing often occurs, that is, papillomas disappear or become smaller.
Effects
The consequences of papillomavirus infection in 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 blocking, which negatively affects the outflow of urine and affects the development of disorders of the urinary organs.
The appearance of growths on the glans penis, around the anus and in the rectum increases the chance that a benign formation will turn malignant.
Rectal cancer is more often detected in men who practice non-traditional sexual intercourse. When engaging in oral sex, there is a risk of papilloma formation in the throat, which manifests itself in various uncomfortable sensations.
A man infected with HPV also presents some danger to the women in his environment. For a wife or other sexual partner, such a man will be the most likely source of infection. When using one towel, bathroom accessories in the family, there is a risk of infection and sisters, mothers, daughters.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnosis begins with an examination of the external genitalia and the patient's entire body.
The doctor must collect an anamnesis, that is, to find out when the formations appeared on the body, to which the patient associates their growth, and to find out if there are any complaints.
To confirm the diagnosis, the patient must undergo several tests, they 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, prostate secretion or blood.
- Biopsy - a study of a tissue sample taken during the removal of genital warts or from the site of changes in the mucous layer.
- Ureteroscopy helps to visually check changes in the urethra.
For men who have homosexual contacts, it is recommended to examine smears taken from the anal area.
Methods of treatment of papilloma virus in men
The choice of treatment methods for human papillomavirus in men depends on which strain of the virus is detected in the man.
If a pathogen with high oncogenic 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 membranes in several ways. It can be either an ordinary scalpel cut or more modern methods - laser therapy, 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 other types of HPV.
Prevention
Prevention of human papilloma virus infection is understanding in sexual relations and, if possible, in sexual contacts only with trusted partners. Prevention methods include following elementary rules in everyday life, it is just using your own towel and underwear, following a healthy lifestyle.
Infection can be prevented by vaccination. A special vaccine has been developed against HPV, it is administered three times at a certain interval. Vaccination leads to the formation of immunity in the body against certain strains of the papillomavirus.