Genital Warts in Men

Genital warts are a type of warts, which are caused by certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), and are among common sexually transmitted diseases (STD). People who are most sexually active, at some point in their life, get genital warts. Almost 1% of men in U.S. who are sexually active, get genital warts at some point in their life.

Causes
Genital warts in men are less common than in women, but what causes genital warts infection in men? HPV is passed by skin to skin contact, which occurs usually during vaginal or anal sex. Many times, there are no symptoms of genital warts in people having good immunity, and thus, they would be unaware if they have HPV infection. Thus, unknowingly HPV in men or women can be passed on to their partners. A person can still be a carrier of HPV for years after being treated for it.

Symptoms
The symptoms of genital warts (HPV) in men, include the presence of warts, which are flat, raised or cauliflower-shaped. These warts are generally asymptomatic. The growth of these warts can be seen on the penis, groin, thighs, testicles or anus. These symptoms of genital warts can appear after weeks or months after sexual contact with an infected person.

Possible Risks
If the HPV infection, goes untreated the genital warts can increase in number and severity. Even if there are no symptoms, it is possible that you might pass on the infection to your partner. Also, there are certain types of HPV infection which can lead to penile cancer or anal cancer. So, it is important that you go through a screening test, to ensure your and your partner's health.

Screening Test
If you have the visible symptoms of genital warts, an experienced doctor will be able to identify it by looking at the symptoms. Also, screening test can help to detect the early signs of infection of people who are not yet sick. There are yearly pap tests recommended to check for HPV infection, and the test is especially recommended for people who are either gay, bisexual or HIV positive, as they have higher chances of getting the infection. The screening test looks for any abnormal anal cells. You can also keep checking your genitals for any skin abnormalities or bumps that don't pain. Also, there is a screening test for women to check for the possibility of HPV virus in women.

Treatment
There is no treatment or cure genital warts, but the symptoms of genital warts can be treated, as can the health complications by HPV infection in men. If there are genital warts on the skin, they can be treated with topical application of a medicine, or the genital warts removal can be done by surgery, or by freezing out the warts. Some treatment needs to be done by the doctor, and some can be done by the patient himself. Several sessions of the treatment may be required as the warts mostly recur. Anal or penile cancer can be treated by new forms of radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Consultation of a doctor, is required for approaching the right treatment.

Prevention Tips
Though there is a vaccine which offers protection against genital warts, but it is licensed to be used only by girls and women. Further studies are being carried out to check if the vaccine is safe for boys or men to use. To lower the chance of getting genital warts, use condoms as they might provide some protection against the infection. However, the uncovered areas can still get HPV infection. One can also get HPV infection by having one single sex partner their entire life.

Thus, giving your sexual health topmost priority is important in cases of genital warts. If you are sexually active, it is important that you go for a screening test to prevent any health complications and to protect your partner from getting the HPV infection. Also, go through the screening test to check for infection, if you are sexually active. Many people feel embarrassed to seek medical help for a STD, however if you have genital warts, it is important that you consult a doctor and get the appropriate treatment, as these warts can spread and lead to complications if left untreated.