Papillomavirus infection is widespread throughout the world. HPV infection occurs regardless of age and sex, 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 cause certain disturbances in sexual life and trigger the occurrence of related health problems.
The reasons
Human papillomavirus has a microscopic structure that can enter the body through the smallest micro cracks in the skin and mucous membranes.
In this regard, there are several possibilities of HPV infection, these 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 rectum. Traumatizing the mucous membrane during sex increases the risk of infection.
- Household route of infection. The virus can remain viable for a long time in a moist environment, and therefore there is a high probability of transmission in the bathroom, sauna, through personal towels. A case of infection in a beauty salon is described, where the rules for disinfecting manicure sets and other tools are ignored. Transmission of the virus through instruments in the dental or operating room is possible.
- From mother to baby during childbirth.
Men who frequently change sexual partners are more likely to be HPV-positive.
It is believed that the younger the girl, the more likely she is to have papillomavirus in her body - most cases of infection detected occur at the age of up to 25 years. Virgins can also be infected with HPV, because oral and other sexual intercourse is often practiced before traditional sex.
Unfortunately, barrier contraceptives, that is, condoms, do not provide a 100% guarantee of preventing HPV infection. This is due to the fact that these microorganisms, due to their minimal size, easily penetrate through the latex pores. Naturally, condoms reduce the possibility of infection, but do not eliminate it completely.
It should also be remembered that microorganisms are found in certain amounts in saliva and, therefore, can be transmitted through kissing.
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 papillomavirus carrier, a man may not suspect until the activation of the vital activity of this microorganism occurs. The reason for these changes is often a weakening of the immune defense function.
Latent carriage of infection takes a period of two weeks to a year, in some cases this interval is significantly extended.
Activation of the virus leads to the fact that some of it accumulates in certain places on the skin or on the mucous membrane. The accumulation and development of papillomavirus changes the function of epithelial cells and this gives rise to tumor-like processes.
Papillomas can form on almost any part of our body, often they become noticeable when they appear in the armpits, on the face, neck, and genitals. Sometimes the papilloma formation process is accompanied by itching and burning.
The formation of papillomavirus on the body grows in the form of plaques, warts, filiform bumps on the legs. The biggest danger is genital warts, in men they are located on the penis, can grow around the anus or in the urethra.
At first, these growths most often look like small pimples, in advanced cases they can merge with each other, forming growths that resemble the shape of a cauliflower.
By itself, genital warts are unpleasant only because of cosmetic defects. But if they are not removed and treated in general with papillomatous infections, then there is a risk of degeneration of epithelial cells that are transformed into cancer.
Sometimes, during sexual intercourse or careless movement, the papilloma is injured, which leads to some bleeding and pain. With the strengthening of the immune system, self-healing often occurs, that is, papillomas disappear or become smaller.
Effect
The consequences of infection with papillomavirus 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 tumors on the glans penis, around the anus and in the rectum increases the possibility of benign formation becoming malignant.
Rectal cancer is more often detected in men who practice non-traditional sexual relations. When performing oral sex, there is a risk of papilloma formation in the throat, which is indicated by various uncomfortable 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 sister, mother, daughter when using one towel, bath accessories in the family.
Diagnostic method
Establishing a diagnosis begins with an examination of the external genital organs and the rest of the patient's body.
The doctor must collect the anamnesis, that is, to clarify when the formations appear on the body, with what the patient associates their growth, and to determine whether there are specific complaints.
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 carried out after taking a smear, prostate secretion or blood.
- Biopsy - the study of tissue samples taken during the removal of genital warts or from the site of changes in the mucous layer.
- Ureteroscopy helps to visually examine changes in the urethra.
Men who have homosexual relations are advised to examine smears taken from the anal area.
Methods for the treatment of papillomavirus in men
The choice of method to treat human papillomavirus in men depends on the strain of the virus detected in the man.
If a pathogen with high oncogenic activity is detected, then effective antiviral treatment is prescribed, and in the future it is necessary to constantly repeat the test.
Papillomas and condylomas are removed from the skin and mucous membranes in several ways. This can be either conventional scalpel cutting or more modern methods - laser treatment, electrocoagulation, radio wave methods.
After papilloma removal, it is necessary to increase the body's resistance to infection, which will reduce the risk of infection with other types of HPV.
Prevention
Prevention of human papillomavirus infection is comprehensibility in sexual relations and, if possible, sexual relations only with trusted partners. Prevention methods include the observance of basic rules in everyday life, this is only using your own towels 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 certain intervals. Vaccination leads to the fact that the body develops immunity against certain strains of papillomavirus.