Human papillomavirus (HPV) can infect both males and females and may lead to different symptoms. After being infected with HPV, most males may not have obvious symptoms, or the symptoms may be very mild and hard to detect. However, certain types of HPV can cause the following symptoms:
Genital warts: This is the most common symptom of HPV in males. Genital warts are typically small, smooth growths that may appear as a single wart or in clusters. They can be flesh-colored, gray, or brown and usually occur on the penis, scrotum, around the anus, or on the inner thighs.
Anal warts: In cases where HPV infection occurs in the anal area, it may develop into anal warts.
Throat warts (laryngeal papillomatosis): Certain types of HPV can lead to throat warts, which usually do not cause symptoms but may sometimes result in hoarseness or difficulty swallowing.
Here are some other HPV-related symptoms that males may experience:
Painless inflammation: There may be slight red spots or inflammation, but no obvious pain.
Discomfort during urination: If warts appear near the urethra, there may be discomfort or pain during urination.
Unusual discharge: There may be secretions from the warts, sometimes with an odor.
Bleeding: Warts may bleed after friction or injury.
It’s important to note that even in the absence of symptoms, males infected with HPV can still transmit the virus to sexual partners. Additionally, while most HPV infections are temporary and can be naturally cleared by the immune system, certain types of HPV may persist and increase the risk of certain cancers, such as anal, penile, and oral cancers.
If there are any suspicious symptoms or a risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI), it is advisable to consult healthcare professionals promptly for examination and treatment. Currently, there is no specific treatment for HPV, but vaccination can be administered to prevent certain types of HPV infections.
