Papillomavirus infection is widespread throughout the world. HPV infection occurs regardless of age and sex, but the course of the disease and its development have their own characteristics in men and women.
For the stronger sex, the papilloma virus can cause certain disorders in sexual life and provoke the emergence of 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, such as:
- sexual transmissionYou can get the infection not only through normal intimate contact, but also through oral contact. In homosexual men, HPV enters through anal contact through skin and rectal cracks. Trauma to the mucous membrane during sex increases the risk of infection.
- household route of infection. The virus can be viable for a long time in a humid environment and, therefore, the probability of its transmission in baths, saunas, personal towels is high. Cases of infection in beauty salons were described, where the rules of disinfection of manicure sets and other tools were neglected. The virus can be transmitted by instruments in dental or surgical rooms.
- 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 papillomavirus in her body - most cases of detected infection occur before the age of 25. Virgins can also become infected with HPV because oral and other types of intercourse are often performed before traditional sex.
Unfortunately, barrier contraception, i. e. condoms, does not provide a 100% guarantee of HPV infection prevention. This is due to the fact that this microorganism easily penetrates the pores of latex due to its small size. Naturally, condoms reduce the probability of possible infection, but do not completely eliminate it.
It should also be taken into account that the microorganism is present in certain quantities in saliva and, therefore, can be transmitted by kissing.
The risk of possible HPV infection increases in men who have bad habits. The probability of infection increases with the weakening of the body's defenses after long-term treatment with antibiotics.
symptoms
The fact that he is a papillomavirus carrier, a man may not suspect until the vital activity of this microorganism is activated. The reason for this change is often a weakening of the functioning of the immune defense.
Latent transfer of infection takes from two weeks to one year, in some cases this interval is significantly longer.
Activation of the virus leads to the fact that part of it accumulates in a certain place on the skin or mucous membrane. The accumulation and development of papillomavirus changes the functions of epithelial cells and this leads to a tumor-like process.
Papillomas can appear on almost any part of our body, most often they are noticeable when they appear on the arms, face, neck and genitals. Sometimes the process of formation of papillomas is accompanied by itching and burning.
Papillomavirus formations on the body grow in the form of spots, 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 inside the urethra.
At first, these growths most often look like small pimples, in advanced cases they can merge with each other and form a growth similar to cauliflower.
In itself, genital warts 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 of degenerating the changed epithelial cells into tumors.
Sometimes during sexual intercourse or careless movements, papillomas are damaged, which causes slight bleeding and pain. By strengthening the immune system, self-healing often occurs, that is, papillomas disappear or shrink.
effects
The consequences of infection with papillomavirus for men are very unpleasant and depend on the strain of this microorganism.
If the inner part of the urethra is damaged, there is a risk of rapid growth and spread of genital warts in the urethra. This leads to its partial or complete blockage, which negatively affects the flow of urine and affects the development of urinary organ dysfunction.
The appearance of growths on the glans of the penis, around the anus, and in the rectum increases the likelihood of a benign growth becoming malignant.
Rectal cancer occurs more often in men who have non-traditional sexual relations. When engaging in oral sex, there is a risk of developing papillomas in the throat, which is manifested by various unpleasant sensations.
A man infected with HPV also poses a certain threat to women living in his environment. Such a man will be the most likely source of infection for his wife or other sexual partner. When using one towel, bathroom accessories in the family, sisters, mothers, daughters have the risk of infection.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnosis begins with an examination of the external genitalia and the patient's entire body.
The doctor must collect the anamnesis, that is, find out when the formations appeared on the body, what the patient associates with their growth, and determine whether there are certain complaints.
To confirm the diagnosis, the patient must undergo several tests, these are:
- A smear 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 a change in the mucous layer.
- Urethroscopy helps to visually examine changes in the urethra.
Men who have homosexual contact are advised to examine a smear taken from the anal area.
Methods of treatment of papillomavirus in men
The selection of human papillomavirus treatment methods in men depends on which strain of the virus was detected in the man.
If the causative agent of high oncogenic activity is detected, then an effective antiviral treatment 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 both conventional scalpel cutting and more modern methods - laser treatment, 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 papillomavirus infection is understanding of sexual relations and, if possible, sexual contact only with trusted partners. Prevention methods include following elementary rules in everyday life, that is, using only your own towel and underwear, following a healthy lifestyle.
Infection can be prevented by vaccination. A special vaccine against HPV has been developed, it is given three times at certain intervals. Vaccination leads to the fact that the body develops immunity against certain strains of papillomavirus.