Men can get HPV.

Men can get vaccinated too.

 

 

What is HPV?

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a group of very common viruses that infect the skin and other areas including the genital area, anus, mouth and throat.

There are over 100 types of HPV. Most do not cause any symptoms or problems but some high-risk types can lead to certain types of cancer and others are linked to genital warts.

HPV is very common and men and women can acquire it. It is passed on through all types of sexual contact including skin to skin contact of the genital area; anal, oral or vaginal sex; or sharing of sex toys. Condoms do not fully protect against HPV as they do not cover the whole genital area.

In most cases the infection is cleared by the body within a couple of years and people won’t know they ever had it.

HPV can cause anal cancer, some head and neck cancers, penile cancer in men and cervical, vulval or vaginal cancer in women.

HPV causes:

  • Over 90% of anal cancers
  • 63% of penile cancers
  • 70% of oropharyngeal cancer (a type of head and neck cancer in the throat)

For more information about HPV visit Human papillomavirus (HPV) - NHS

 

 

HPV vaccination

The best way to protect yourself from HPV is to have the vaccine.

For information on the vaccine see HPV vaccine - NHS

Gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men up to the age of 45 can request the vaccination at a sexual health clinic.

Find your nearest clinic here:

Liverpool, Knowsley, Halton, Warrington, East Cheshire: Find your local axess clinic - Axess Sexual Health

Cheshire West and Chester: Sexual Health in Cheshire West and Chester | Sexual Health Hub

Sefton: Sefton Sexual Health Service: (GUM) Clinics in Sefton

St Helens: Sexual Health St Helens | Adults

Wirral: Online Booking Service - Sexual Health Wirral

 

Stopping smoking can also help as not smoking helps your immune system work better to clear any infection.

For support to help you quit smoking, see this Cheshire and Merseyside website.

 

10 facts about HPV

  1.  HPV stands for Human Papilloma Virus

  2.  HPV is very common and most people have had an infection at some point

  3.  Men and women can get HPV

  4.  HPV is passed on through all types of sexual contact not just penetrative sex

  5.  Most of the time, HPV doesn’t cause any problems but in some cases it can lead to genital warts or cancer

  6.  HPV can cause anal cancer, some head and neck cancers, penile cancer in men and cervical, vulval or vaginal cancer in women

  7.  You can have HPV for many years, even if you are not currently sexually active or have not had a new partner for some time

  8.  Vaccination can protect against HPV

  9.  If you have been vaccinated your chance of developing HPV-related cancers is far lower than if you haven’t

  10.  Men under the age of 45 who have sex with men can get the HPV vaccine at a sexual health clinic.