HPV in Men: Testing, Vaccination and What Partners Should Do
Is there an HPV test for men, should men get the HPV vaccine, and what should a partner do if a woman tests HPV positive? HPV-related cancers in men and vaccine age ranges.
Short answer: HPV is not only a women's issue. Every sexually active man and woman faces more than an 80% lifetime chance of meeting HPV. But unlike women, men do not have a routine screening test, which is why "how do men find out, and what should they do?" is such a common question.
Can Men Transmit HPV?
Yes, they can. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection affecting skin and mucosal (moist lining) tissue. It spreads through sexual contact and direct skin-to-mucosa contact; in men it can settle in the genital area (penis, scrotum), the anus and the head-and-neck/throat area (throat, tonsils, base of tongue).
Most infections cause no symptoms. About two-thirds of infections are cleared naturally by the immune system within 12 months, without leaving any trace. Carrying HPV does not mean it stays for life.
Myth: "Men Can Get an HPV Test, They Just Don't Bother"
Fact: Unlike the smear or HPV test used for the cervix in women, there is no approved, routine screening test for HPV in men without symptoms. In men, HPV is diagnosed not through swab screening, but through a physical exam when a visible genital wart is present, or through examination of a tissue sample when a suspicious lesion (tissue change) is found.
This does not mean men have no options — see below.
Should Men Get the HPV Vaccine?
Yes. The nine-type HPV vaccine is approved for both men and women aged 9-45.
- Ages 9-12: Guidelines recommend routine vaccination for all girls and boys at this age; starting the series at age 9 or 10 is encouraged.
- Ages 13-26: Catch-up vaccination is recommended for all men not yet vaccinated. Vaccination at ages 22-26 is known to be less effective at preventing cancer than at younger ages.
- Ages 27-45: Some guidelines recommend shared decision-making with a doctor in this age range; some organisations do not support routine vaccination here because the benefit at the population level is limited.
The number of doses depends on age: 2 doses if the series starts before age 15, 3 doses if it starts at 15 or older. The nine-type vaccine prevents more than 90% of the cancers and genital warts caused by the types it covers.
Which HPV-Related Problems Occur in Men?
- Genital warts: Usually caused by low-risk HPV types (especially HPV 6 and 11).
- Cancer risk: High-risk HPV types can increase the risk of head-and-neck/throat cancers, penile cancer and anal cancer in men. These cancers are less common than cervical cancer in women, but they are among the reasons the HPV vaccine also protects men.
What Should a Man Do If His Partner Tests HPV Positive?
- No need to rush into testing: If there are no symptoms, the male partner does not need a routine HPV swab test, because no such test or follow-up protocol is defined for men.
- Exam if there is a visible finding: If there is a wart, bump or suspicious finding in the genital area (penis, scrotum, groin, around the anus), an exam by the relevant specialist is recommended.
- Vaccination can be considered: If the male partner is under 45 and not yet vaccinated, vaccination against the types he has not yet met can be discussed with his doctor.
- Going through it together: HPV positivity is not a sign of infidelity; the virus can be transmitted for years without symptoms. It matters that the woman continues her regular smear/colposcopy follow-up and that the couple supports each other through the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a condom fully prevent HPV transmission?
Condoms protect against many sexually transmitted infections, but because HPV can also spread through skin-to-mucosa contact, the protection is not complete. Using one is still recommended.
If a man is HPV positive, does that mean cancer is certain?
No. Most HPV infections clear on their own and cause no problems. Cancer risk is linked to high-risk types staying in the body for a long time, which happens only in a minority of cases.
If a man is vaccinated, does his partner still need screening?
Yes, she still does. The vaccine does not protect against the types it does not cover, and it does not change a woman's own screening schedule (smear/HPV test).