ADVERTISEMENT

Nearly half of all men have this STD

After analyzing penile swabs from 1,868 men, 45 percent of them tested positive for some type of genital HPV infection.

Nearly half of all men have this STD

After analyzing penile swabs from 1,868 men, the researchers discovered that 45 percent of them tested positive for some type of genital HPV infection. And 25 percent of these men harbored at least one strain of high-risk HPV. High-risk strains of HPV can cause cancers of the anus, penis, or oropharyngeal region—the middle part of the throat, including the soft palate, tongue, and tonsils. (High-risk HPV can also cause cervical cancer in women.)

In most cases, your body will clear high-risk HPV infections from your system within one to two years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But in some cases, the infection can persist in your body, leading to changes in your cells that can progress to cancer.

Vaccines like Gardasil and Cervarix are effective at reducing the risk of infection, but many guys aren't getting it: According to the study, only 11 percent of vaccine-eligible men have received it. And only 6 percent of the adult male population said they completed the multi-step HPV vaccine series.

ADVERTISEMENT

Currently, the CDC recommends that young men receive the HPV vaccination through age 21. Men who have sex with men should receive the vaccine through age 26.

Safe sex is key, too: While condoms can't completely protect against transmission of the virus, consistent condom use has been linked to lower chances of spreading the infection.

The article "25 Percent Of Men Have Potential Cancer-Causing HPV" originally appeared on Men's Health.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

5 things you need to do immediately after sex

5 things you need to do immediately after sex

Do you have to go to church on Good Friday and Holy Saturday? We explain

Do you have to go to church on Good Friday and Holy Saturday? We explain

There are many things you should not do on Easter

There are many things you should not do on Easter

The Skilled Awards 3rd edition a big success in Bowen University

The Skilled Awards 3rd edition a big success in Bowen University

6 most common wedding day regrets couples experience

6 most common wedding day regrets couples experience

7 qualities of high-value women you should cultivate

7 qualities of high-value women you should cultivate

'Ugliest woman in the world' endured humiliation to provide for her children

'Ugliest woman in the world' endured humiliation to provide for her children

I Tried an Inflatable Butt Plug and It Was Absolutely Ridiculous

I Tried an Inflatable Butt Plug and It Was Absolutely Ridiculous

3 things that could happen when you take cold drinks during your period

3 things that could happen when you take cold drinks during your period

7 foods to eat for longer stamina and sex drive

7 foods to eat for longer stamina and sex drive

The dark sides of vaping and why you shouldn't indulge in it

The dark sides of vaping and why you shouldn't indulge in it

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT