Genital HPV infects one in three men

he Genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV) It affects both men and women. While it’s often associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer in women, the truth is that it can cause health problems in men too. Thus, in men, HPV infection often manifests clinically as anogenital warts, which cause significant morbidity and increase the rate of HPV transmission. HPV infection has also been linked to cancers of the penis, anus, and oropharynx, which are often associated with HPV type 16. The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates that about 69,400 cancer cases in men were caused by HPV in 2018. .

The epidemiology of human papillomavirus (HPV) in women is well documented, but little is known about the epidemiology of HPV in men.Now, a new study published in The Lancet Global Health

Nearly a third of men over age 15 have at least one type of infection Genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV)one in five people is infected with one or more HPV types known to be high-risk or cancer-causing.

As noted by the World Health Organization, these estimates indicate that men frequently carry genital HPV infection and emphasize the importance of involving men in controlling HPV infection and reducing the incidence of HPV-related diseases in both men and women.

A systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the prevalence of genital HPV infection in the general male population based on studies published between 1995 and 2022. The pooled overall prevalence was 31% for all HPVs and 21% for high-risk HPVs. HPV-16 was the most common HPV genotype (5%), followed by HPV-6 (4%).

Higher prevalence of HPV in younger men

this HPV prevalence is higher among young adults, peaks between the ages of 25 and 29 and remains high until at least age 50 or declines slightly thereafter. Prevalence was also high in the 15-19 age group, suggesting that young men are rapidly becoming infected after first sexual intercourse. These estimates are consistent with the hypothesis that sexually active men, regardless of age, are at risk for HPV-related morbidity and are a reservoir of sexually transmitted HPV infection.

Pooled prevalence estimates were similar for the UN SDG geographic regions of Europe and North America, sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Australia and New Zealand (Oceania). Estimates for East and Southeast Asia are half those for other regions.

Most HPV infections in both men and women are asymptomatic but can lead to long-term sequelae and death. More than 340,000 women die from cervical cancer each year.

“This global study of the prevalence of genital HPV infection in men confirms the widespread nature of HPV infection,” HPV infection with high-risk HPV types can cause genital warts in men, as well as cancers of the mouth, penis and anus. ” Meg Doherty, WHO Global Program Director on HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections.

“We must continue to look for opportunities to prevent HPV infection and reduce the incidence of HPV-related disease in both men and women.”