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Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. Anyone who’s sexually active is at risk for HPV — including men.

A common misconception is that men can’t develop cancer from HPV. But both men and women can get cancer from some HPV strains.

Although HPV can pose more risks for women than men, everyone should take the vaccine. Here’s why the HPV virus vaccine for men, women, and children is an important way to combat this contagious STI.

What Is HPV?

HPV is an STI that spreads from skin-to-skin contact during sexual activities. So even if you don’t have intercourse, HPV can still spread.

HPV doesn’t always cause symptoms, and it can spread with or without them. There are two broad categories of HPV:

• High-risk HPV — More likely to cause cancer.
• Low-risk HPV — May heal on its own.

Condoms are the only contraceptives that help prevent HPV — but they don’t protect against it entirely. The HPV vaccine is the best way to prevent new HPV infections and most cancers they may cause.

How do you know if you have HPV?

HPV often doesn’t have symptoms, which is part of the reason it’s so common. Without symptoms, you might not realize that you’re at risk. HPV is also highly contagious.

Most people who have HPV clear the infection in a year or two. During that time, you’re at risk of spreading it to other people. But even without active symptoms, you remain a carrier.

Genital warts are the most common sign of HPV. These small bumps appear around your groin area, anus, rectum, or on the genitalia.

What Is the HPV Vaccine?

The HPV vaccine is a series of shots that protects against HPV infections, including the strains that lead to cancer.

The HPV vaccine is most effective before exposure to the HPV infection. If you already have HPV, the vaccine can’t cure it.

Gardasil 9, the only HPV vaccine used in the United States, protects against nine HPV strains. Seven are high-risk strains of HPV that can cause cancers, and two are strains that cause most genital warts.

Is there an HPV vaccine age limit?

There is an age limit in place for the HPV vaccine. It was previously limited to people under age 26. But now, people up to 45 years old can receive the vaccine.

Most of the time, doctors recommend the HPV vaccine during childhood or adolescence. This is because the vaccine is most effective before you’re sexually active. Doctors often recommend that children aged 11 to 12 start the vaccine as part of their routine vaccination schedule.

People who haven’t been sexually active during adulthood can still benefit from the vaccine. If you plan to start having sex for the first time, the HPV vaccine is an important step in keeping you healthy and safe.

Your age does impact how many doses of the vaccine you receive. Children typically need two shots of the HPV vaccine. Older adolescents and adults may need three.

Talk to your doctor if you’re older than 26 and want to receive the vaccine.

Does a male need the HPV vaccine?

HPV can cause cancer in anyone, no matter their gender. It can also cause other complications, including genital warts, in both men and women.

Although you might think the male vaccine for HPV is different than the vaccine for women, it’s not. HPV shots for guys are the same ones women receive. There’s no specific HPV vaccine for men.

Remember, taking the HPV vaccine before you become sexually active will help prevent side effects from the virus.

Why Don’t Guys Get the HPV Vaccine?  

You can get an STI at any age. So, the HPV vaccine is important throughout your whole life.

Since many people mostly know HPV as the cause of cervical cancer, some men don’t think they need the vaccine. But even though HPV poses more risks to women than men, everyone should take the vaccine.

Many of the cancers HPV causes impact men, and the HPV vaccine is a critical line of defense against them. HPV is also common amongst men. A study from the Lancet Global Health journal shows that 1 in 3 men have HPV and, of those cases, 1 in 5 have high-risk HPV.

Do 90% of men have HPV?

Actually, over 90% of sexually active men have HPV. More men than women carry the virus.

HPV is so common in guys because many aren’t vaccinated. This is why the HPV vaccine is important.

How long does the HPV vaccine last for men?

The HPV vaccine lasts the same amount of time for men and women. It’s effective for up to 10 years after you get it.

Some vaccines, like the flu shot, need regular boosters to remain effective. But there’s no evidence that the HPV vaccine does.

HPV Vaccine Side Effects

Although the vaccine is a safe way to prevent HPV, it can come along with some side effects. These are the same in men, women, and children. You might feel the following side effects right after you take the HPV vaccine:

• Fatigue.
• Fever.
• Headache.
• Muscle soreness or pain.
• Stomach pain or nausea.

These side effects are temporary and should go away within a few days after the shot.

What does the HPV vaccine do to boys?

Boys and girls deal with the same side effects from the HPV vaccine. The vaccine doesn’t have known long-term side effects.

The vaccine is equally effective for everyone. Once you have the recommended number of shots, you’re protected from HPV.

What You Need to Know About HPV and Cancer in Men

Men are at risk of developing certain kinds of cancers due to HPV, including:

• Anal — Research links most cases of anal cancer to an HPV infection.
• Mouth and throat — You can get throat cancer from kissing or oral sex, and many cases come from HPV. Throat cancer usually shows up as a lump in your neck.
• Penile — This cancer might appear as a rash or lump near the male genitalia. It’s most common in middle-aged or older men.

These cancers are far less common HPV complications than cervical cancer. But men are more likely to get throat or penile cancer from HPV.

Usually, men who develop cancer because of HPV have had the infection for several years. An HPV infection can stay in your body for a long time without showing any symptoms. Most of the time, cancer shows up as a lump near the infected area.