Human papillomavirus (HPV) is everywhere and may even sneak up on our bodies and stay inactive for a long time until it erupts at a certain point. It is usually spread through sexual contact, but can also be transmitted through other means. While many people think of HPV as a women's health issue, the truth is that men can get it too.

Actually, men also need to pay attention to their risk of HPV infection and the benefits of getting vaccinated. After all, nobody wants to be bothered by this tiny virus at some point in their life. To help you stay informed, here are a few important facts about the HPV vaccine for men.

Men can also catch HPV infections

It's important to know that men are also at risk of HPV infection. While HPV infection is more common in women, men can also get infected through sexual contact. Many people may have been infected during their adolescence, but may not show any symptoms for up to 10 years. It is already difficult to trace the source of infection by the time when symptoms appear. Men infected with HPV may face a range of health problems, like different skin diseases, sexually transmitted infections, and cancers. Low-risk HPV types such as HPV-6 and HPV-11 can cause skin or genital warts, while high-risk types such as HPV-16 and HPV-18 can lead to cell changes. Persistent infections can eventually lead to cancers such as anal cancer and oral cancer.

HPV vaccines can protect men from infections

The HPV vaccine is a preventive vaccine that can help the body develop immunity against HPV. While initially intended for women, it doesn’t mean that men cannot benefit from it. To avoid misunderstandings, recent promotions have gradually replaced the term 'cervical cancer vaccine' with 'HPV vaccine' to emphasize that both men and women should be protected. In fact, the protective effect of the HPV vaccine for men is also evident, as it can reduce their risk of developing HPV-related diseases such as genital warts, anal cancer, and oral cancer.

The time to get vaccinated against HPV for men

When should men receive the HPV vaccination? This may be the doubt of many. Ideally, men should receive the HPV vaccine before their first sexual contact or before they have any risk of infection. The earlier the vaccine is administered after the age of 9, the more effective it is likely to be. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, it is best for men to receive the HPV vaccine between the ages of 9 and 26. However, even if you have passed this age group, it's still worth considering the vaccine, but you should consult your doctor first.

Safety of the HPV vaccine

Some people may be concerned about the safety of the HPV vaccine. Yet, many clinical studies have already proven that the HPV vaccine is safe and will extremely rarely cause side effects. The vaccination may cause common mild discomfort, such as redness, pain and warmth at the injection site, which will often go away within a few days. So, you can relax about getting the HPV vaccine to protect your health.

There is currently no cure for HPV infections and patients can only rely on their immune system to eliminate or suppress the virus. Plus, the risk of persistent HPV infections in men is much higher than that of women, since men cannot undergo regular cervical cancer screenings as women do.

The most effective way to prevent HPV infection is to get early vaccination. re:HEALTH now introduces a limited-time offer on the 9-valent Cervical Cancer Vaccine, which can protect you against 9 types of HPV (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 & 58) and reduce the risk of related diseases and cancers by 80-90%. Take action now to prevent and control the incidence and spread of HPV infections, and protect yourself and others!

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