Is HPV permanent in males?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus that can be spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact. There are over 100 varieties of HPV, some of which can lead to health problems like genital warts and cancer. Many people wonder if HPV goes away or if it is a permanent infection. This article provides an overview of HPV in males, its potential permanence, and ways to reduce transmission.

Table of Contents

What is HPV?

HPV stands for human papillomavirus. It is a group of related viruses that infect the skin and mucous membranes of both males and females. HPV is extremely common – the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV, with about 14 million becoming newly infected each year.

Some key facts about HPV:

There are over 150 known types of HPV. Around 40 types can infect the genital areas.
HPV is primarily transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact and sex.

Some types of HPV cause no symptoms and go away on their own. But others can lead to genital warts or cancer.
HPV is very common – most sexually active adults have been exposed to it at some point.
Using condoms reduces, but does not completely prevent, HPV transmission.

Although both males and females can get infected with HPV, its effects tend to be more serious in females. HPV has been linked to cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in women. It can also lead to genital warts and cancer of the penis in men, as well as anal and throat cancer in both sexes.

Does HPV Go Away in Males?

There is no clear yes or no answer to whether HPV goes away in men. Some key points:

Many HPV infections are transient and clear up on their own. The immune system is often able to eliminate the viruses over time.

Some studies show that over 90% of new HPV infections, including those with high-risk cancer-causing types, are able to be cleared within 2 years.
It is difficult to know exactly when an HPV infection has been cleared from the body. There is no definitive HPV test available for males.
HPV can remain dormant or undetectable for long periods. It may reactivate later, especially in immunocompromised individuals.

Certain high-risk HPV types are more likely to persist than low-risk types.

Overall, many HPV infections do resolve spontaneously – especially in younger, healthy individuals. But there is always a chance of the virus lingering in the body long-term. It is difficult to say a particular infection has been completely “cleared.”

Is HPV Permanent in Males?

Due to the unpredictable nature of HPV, some health organizations consider it a potentially lifelong infection. However, it is unclear if it can be termed “permanent”:

No evidence definitively proves that HPV remains in the body forever once contracted.
HPV has mechanisms that allow it to evade the immune system and persist in a dormant state. But it is unknown if it can persist forever.
Even if undetectable, HPV could theoretically reactivate later on if a person becomes immunosuppressed.

Considering worst-case scenarios, health organizations take a cautious approach and assume HPV could act like a permanent infection.

Instead of “permanent”, it may be more accurate to consider high-risk HPV types as “potentially lifelong” infections. The virus may remain dormant for long periods before resurfacing. Additional research is needed on the true longevity of HPV in the body.

Risk Factors for HPV Persistence

Certain factors can increase the risk of HPV persisting in men instead of being cleared naturally:

Older age – The immune system weakens with age, making it harder to fight off HPV.
High-risk HPV types – Types 16, 18, 31, 45 more often lead to cancer and persist longer than low-risk types.
Immunosuppression – Diseases like HIV increase vulnerability to persistent HPV.

Smoking – Smoking is associated with higher HPV persistence and risk of lesions.
Co-infections – Having other sexually transmitted diseases in addition to HPV.

Males who harbor one or more of these risk factors may be more prone to experience HPV infections that are not cleared quickly and remain in the body long-term.

Can HPV Be Cured in Males?

Unfortunately, there is no “cure” for HPV that eradicates it completely from the body. A few key points on managing HPV in men:

Most HPV infections are fought off naturally within 1-2 years and do not require treatment.
Visible genital warts can be removed through cryotherapy, laser therapy, surgery, prescription creams.

The HPV vaccine Gardasil protects against wart-causing types 6 and 11.
Stopping smoking, eating healthy, exercising, and controlling other infections can support HPV clearance.
But there are no cures that fully eliminate HPV once it has infected cells.

The focus is on allowing the immune system to potentially clear HPV over time and managing any abnormalities caused by the virus. Partners should also be informed of possible exposure.

How is HPV Detected in Males?

Testing methods for HPV in males are limited compared to those for females. Some key points:

There are no FDA-approved tests to routinely screen for HPV in males.

HPV DNA tests on males are used mainly for research purposes.
Visible genital warts can be diagnosed upon visual inspection.
Anal Pap tests can detect abnormal anal cells, but do not test for HPV directly.

Currently, there are no approved HPV tests that specifically tell males if they harbor a dormant infection.

More accurate HPV testing would allow males to know if they still have an active infection after a period of time. Research is ongoing for improved HPV detection methods in men.

Preventing HPV Transmission

Since it is difficult to know if HPV has been completely cleared, sexually active males should take steps to prevent potentially spreading the virus. Recommendations include:

Using condoms correctly every time you have sex.
Limiting your number of sexual partners.
Speaking openly with partners about sexual histories and protection.

Consider vaccination with Gardasil-9, which protects against 7 cancer-causing HPV types.
Avoiding sex completely is the only 100% effective way to prevent HPV transmission.

HPV vaccination before becoming sexually active provides high levels of protection against the major cancer and wart-causing HPV types. Condoms also help lower transmission risk if used properly.

The Bottom Line

Overall, it remains challenging to definitively state whether HPV truly leaves the body permanently in males. Many infections are cleared naturally by the immune system over time. But high-risk HPV types may linger for long periods or indefinitely in a dormant state. There is no cure that eradicates HPV once infected. Practicing safer sex and vaccination are crucial for lowering risk of transmitting HPV to partners.

Frequently Asked Questions

How common is HPV in men?

HPV is very common in men. According to the CDC, about 45% of men have some type of genital HPV infection. By age 45, at least 80% of sexually active men have been exposed to HPV at some point.

What are the symptoms of HPV in males?

Most of the time, HPV causes no symptoms at all in men and is cleared naturally. Sometimes it can cause genital warts. Rarely, HPV types can lead to penile, anal or head/neck cancers.

Can males get tested for HPV?

There is currently no approved HPV test for males. Only visual inspection or biopsy can detect problems like genital warts or precancerous lesions caused by HPV. Research is ongoing for improved HPV testing methods for men.

Is HPV less common in circumcised males?

Yes, studies show circumcised men have a lower prevalence of HPV compared to uncircumcised men. The foreskin is vulnerable space where HPV can thrive, so its removal may offer some protective benefit.

Can males get the HPV vaccine?

Yes, the Gardasil vaccine is approved for males aged 9-45. It provides effective protection against genital warts and cancers caused by the major high-risk HPV types.

Conclusion

HPV is an extremely prevalent virus that can persist in the body for indefinite periods. Though many infections clear on their own, some linger and resurface later on. There is no cure for HPV, so prevention through vaccination and safe sex practices is key. More research on the true longevity of HPV, particularly in men, is still needed.