Papillomavirus infection is widespread worldwide. HPV infection occurs regardless of age and sex, but the course of the disease and its development have its own characteristics in men and women.
For the stronger sex, the papilloma virus can cause certain disturbances in sexual life and trigger related health problems.
Reason
The human papillomavirus has a microscopic structure that can enter the body through the smallest microcracks in the skin and mucous membranes.
In this case, there are several possibilities of HPV infection, namely:
- Sexual transmission. You can get an infection not only through casual intimate contact, but also through oral contact. In homosexual men, HPV enters through anal contact through cracks in the skin and in the anus. Traumatization of the mucous membranes during sex increases the risk of infection.
- Household route of infection. The virus can survive for a long time in a humid environment, and therefore there is a high probability of its transmission in a bath, sauna, on personal towels. Cases of infection in beauty salons are described, where the rules for disinfecting manicure sets and other tools were ignored. Transmission of the virus through dental or surgical instruments is possible.
- From mother to baby during childbirth.
Men who frequently change sexual partners are more likely to be positive for HPV.
It is believed that the younger the girl, the more likely she has the papillomavirus in her body - most of the detected cases of infection occurred under the age of 25. Virgins can also become infected with HPV, as oral and other types of intercourse are often performed before traditional sex.
Unfortunately, barrier contraception, namely condoms, does not provide a 100% guarantee of preventing HPV infection. This is because these microorganisms because of their small size easily penetrate the pores of the latex. Naturally, condoms reduce the likelihood of infection, but do not completely eliminate it.
It should also be borne in mind that microorganisms are found in a certain amount in saliva and, therefore, can be transmitted by kissing.
The risk of possible infection with HPV increases in men who have bad habits. The likelihood of infection increases with a weakening of the body's defenses, after long-term treatment, while taking antibiotics.
Symptom
The fact that he is a carrier of the papilloma virus, a man may not suspect until the vital activity of this microorganism occurs. The reason for these changes is often the weakening of the immune defense function.
Transport of latent infection takes from two weeks to a year, in some cases this interval is significantly extended.
Virus activation leads to the fact that some of it accumulates in certain places on the skin or on mucous membranes. The accumulation and development of the papillomavirus alters the function of the epithelial cells and this gives rise to a tumor-like process.
Papillomas can form in almost any part of our body, most commonly seen when they appear in the armpits, on the face, neck and genitals. Sometimes the process of forming papillomas 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 danger is genital warts, in men they are located on the penis, they can grow around the anus or in the urethra.
At first, these growths most often look like small pimples; in advanced cases they may merge with each other, forming growths that resemble the shape of a cauliflower.
On their own, genital warts are no fun just a cosmetic flaw. But if they are not removed and treated in general with papillomatous infection, then there is a risk of degeneration of epithelial cells that turn into cancer cells.
Sometimes, during sexual intercourse or careless movements, papillomas are injured, which causes slight bleeding and pain. With strengthening of the immune system, self-healing often occurs, that is, the papillomas disappear or become smaller.
Effect
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 within the urethra. This leads to 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 growths on the glans penis, around the anus and in the rectum increases the likelihood of a benign formation becoming malignant.
Anal cancer is more often detected in men who have non-traditional sexual intercourse. When engaging in oral sex, there is a risk of papillomas forming in the throat, which are manifested by various uncomfortable sensations.
Men infected with HPV also pose a certain danger to women in their environment. For wives or other sexual partners, such men are likely to be a source of infection. There is a risk of infection and sister, mother, daughter when using one towel, toiletries in the family.
Diagnostic method
The diagnosis begins with an examination of the external genitalia and the entire body of the patient.
The doctor must collect anamnesis, that is, clarify when the formations appeared on the body, with what the patient associates with their growth, and determine if there are any specific complaints.
To confirm the diagnosis, the patient must pass several tests, namely:
- Wiping or scraping of the mucus lining 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 - 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 check for changes in the urethra.
Men who have had homosexual contact are advised to examine the swab taken from the anal area.
Papillomavirus treatment methods in men
The choice of method for treating 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 the tests will have to be constantly repeated.
Papillomas and condylomas are removed from the skin and mucous membranes in several ways. This can be a conventional scalpel cut or more modern methods - laser treatment, electrocoagulation, radio wave method.
After removal of papillomas, 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 clarity in sexual relations and, whenever possible, sexual contact only with trusted partners. Ways of prevention include observing the basic rules in everyday life, namely using only your own towels and underwear, adhering to a healthy lifestyle.
Infection can be prevented by vaccination. A special vaccine has been developed against HPV, it is given three times at certain intervals. Vaccination leads to the fact that the body develops immunity to a certain type of papillomavirus.