Quick Answer: HPV in men often has no symptoms, but it can still be passed on. There’s no routine HPV test for men, but the virus can lead to genital warts and cancers, and it’s far more common than most think.
This Is What HPV Can Look Like in Men (And When It Doesn’t)
HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. And yet, in clinics, conversations, and most of the public health system, it's still treated like a “women’s issue.” Pap smears, cervical screenings, abnormal test results, those are the images people associate with HPV. Rarely do we talk about what it looks like in men, or what happens when it doesn’t show at all.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Most men who carry HPV have zero symptoms. No warts. No pain. Nothing unusual. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t contagious. In fact, men are often silent carriers of the virus, unknowingly passing it to partners through skin-to-skin contact, yes, even with condoms.
When symptoms do show up, they’re usually in the form of genital warts, flesh-colored growths that can appear around the penis, scrotum, anus, groin, or thighs. They might look like a small cauliflower, or just a single bump. Many are mistaken for razor burn, moles, or irritation from friction. And because there’s no pain, most guys ignore them or chalk them up to “just something weird.”
“I had no clue it was HPV until my partner had an abnormal Pap. Her doctor told her to ask if I’d ever had warts. I didn’t even think they were connected,” said Ty, 29, who later learned he had unknowingly passed the virus.
The Testing Black Hole: Why Most Men Can’t Get Diagnosed
Now for the part that makes this all worse, there is currently no FDA-approved HPV screening test for men. If you don’t have visible symptoms, you can’t just walk into a clinic and ask to be tested. Most providers won’t offer anything unless there are warts, or you’re part of a specific at-risk group (like men who have sex with men, or those with HIV).
This testing gap is especially troubling when you consider that men are not only carriers, they're also at risk for serious complications. Research shows that high-risk strains of HPV, especially HPV-16 and HPV-18, can cause penile, anal, and oropharyngeal (throat) cancers. In fact, CDC data shows that oropharyngeal cancer is now the most common HPV-related cancer in men, and rates are rising.
Even more frustrating? Studies show that over 30% of men aged 18–59 carry at least one strain of genital HPV, and many of them have no idea. That means millions are walking around with an STI they’ve never heard about, can’t get tested for, and don’t even realize they can pass on.
“When I asked my doctor if I could get tested, she said there was no point unless I had symptoms. But my partner had HPV. I just wanted to be responsible,” said Jared, 32. “She made me feel like I was overreacting.”
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How Did It Become “A Women’s Problem”?
The truth is, HPV has been feminized for decades. Because of its link to cervical cancer, much of the research, funding, and public awareness has focused on how it affects people with uteruses. The introduction of the Pap smear in the 1940s revolutionized early detection for cervical cancer, and rightly so. But that same innovation left a gap: if men weren’t showing symptoms, and there wasn’t a cancer screening equivalent, they were simply written out of the equation.
It wasn’t intentional, but the result has been decades of public health messaging that ignores how male bodies carry, transmit, and suffer from HPV. Vaccine campaigns focused almost entirely on young girls for years. It wasn’t until 2011 that the U.S. began recommending the HPV vaccine for boys, too. By then, the virus had already embedded itself as “her responsibility.” And that bias trickles down. Many men still don’t realize they can get HPV. Fewer know they can pass it on. Fewer still know it can give them cancer.
Rico, 35, remembers the moment his doctor mentioned throat cancer. “I went in thinking it was tonsillitis. I’d had a sore throat for weeks. When the biopsy came back and they said HPV was involved, I was floored. I didn’t know that was possible.”
But it is. HPV can cause oropharyngeal cancers, cancers of the throat, tongue, and tonsils. These are becoming increasingly common among cis men, especially those in their 30s to 50s, with a history of oral sex. And most of them never knew they had the virus until it was far too late.
The Emotional Damage of “You’re Fine” Medicine
Men are often socialized to ignore their bodies. Add in a medical system that shrugs off asymptomatic STDs and you've got a recipe for silent spread, and silent shame. What happens when your partner tests positive, and you can’t even prove it came from you? Or when you feel responsible but have no answers to offer?
“It crushed me,” said Eli, 27, whose girlfriend was diagnosed with high-risk HPV. “She thought I’d cheated. But I didn’t even know I could have it. We fought for weeks. There was no test I could take to show I was telling the truth.”
This is where medicine and masculinity collide. Without symptoms, men are told they’re not infected. But HPV doesn’t need to burn, itch, or ooze to be contagious. It can hide quietly, moving from one body to the next through skin-on-skin contact, fingers, mouths, genitals. Condoms help, but they’re not foolproof. The virus lives on areas condoms don’t cover.
For men who do notice something, a wart, a bump, a lesion, the stigma kicks in hard. HPV isn’t as openly discussed as Herpes or Chlamydia, so it’s often misread as something worse. Some panic and assume the worst. Others ignore it, hoping it’ll go away. Many never get checked at all.
That silence can spiral. Into breakups. Into guilt. Into years of unknowingly passing a virus to others. And in rare but devastating cases, into cancer.
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HPV, Fertility, and the Side Effects No One Talks About
Most people have heard that HPV “clears on its own.” And yes, in many cases it does, especially in young, healthy individuals. But that phrase often gets tossed around like a guarantee. Like a get-out-of-jail-free card. What it really means is that about 90% of HPV cases are cleared by the immune system within two years. But not everyone clears it. And during that time, you can still give the virus to other people.
New research is also questioning the idea that HPV is safe for men. A study published in The Lancet in 2025 found that almost 1 in 5 men who were having trouble getting pregnant had HPV in their semen samples. Scientists are still figuring out how exactly HPV affects sperm motility and DNA quality, but it's becoming more and more clear that it does.
“We tried for a year before doing tests,” said Samir, 34, who was told his sperm count was low. “No one ever mentioned STDs could be a factor. I had no symptoms. Nothing.”
And that’s the pattern: no pain, no clue, no conversation. Men aren’t taught to consider their sexual health unless it burns when they pee. HPV breaks that mold. It reminds us that the most dangerous infections are often the quietest ones.
No, It’s Not “Just for Women”, And No, You’re Not Dirty
Let’s bust a few myths while we’re here. First: HPV is not a female-only virus. It affects all genders. In fact, studies show that men and women carry HPV at roughly equal rates. It’s just that women are more likely to get tested and diagnosed because of routine Pap smears.
Second: being infected doesn’t mean you’re dirty, reckless, or broken. HPV is incredibly common. Most sexually active people will contract it at some point. The CDC estimates that over 42 million Americans are currently infected, and about 13 million more get it every year. Most don’t even know they have it.
Shame has never prevented an infection. But it’s done a damn good job of keeping people silent about them. Let’s rewrite that story. Let’s name HPV for what it is: a deeply human virus passed through intimacy, touch, trust, and sometimes, casual fun. No judgment. No scarlet letter. Just facts and next steps.
“I felt gross when I found out,” said Marcus, 25. “But my partner looked me in the eye and said, ‘It’s okay. I probably have it too. Let’s just figure it out together.’ That changed everything.”
Because here’s the real fear: not the virus itself, but what we think it says about us. If we can separate the biology from the shame, we can get people the care they need. No more pretending. No more silence.
So What Can You Actually Do About It?
First, take a breath. You don’t have to solve everything today. But here’s what you can do:
If you're under 45 and haven't received the HPV vaccine, you still might be eligible. Gardasil 9 protects against the most dangerous strains, those that cause cancer and genital warts. It’s not just for teens anymore. The vaccine is now recommended for men up to age 45, especially if you’ve had new or multiple partners.
Next, if you're sexually active, get tested for other STDs regularly, even if you feel fine. While there’s no standard HPV test for men yet, you can still test for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and HIV from home. These infections often travel together, and early detection is key.
Practice safer sex, not just condoms, but also honesty. HPV can live on skin outside condom coverage. So use protection, but don’t let it be your only tool. Talk. Share. Ask your partner if they’ve been vaccinated. Let disclosure be a sign of care, not fear.
And if you do see something unusual, warts, skin changes, persistent sore throat, don’t wait. Go in. Ask directly. Say, “Could this be HPV?” And if your provider dismisses you, get a second opinion. You’re not overreacting. You’re protecting yourself and others.
This is your body. Your health. You deserve answers.
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You Deserve Answers, Not Assumptions
Back in the mirror, the man leans in again. This time, it’s not fear in his reflection, it’s awareness. He still doesn’t know for sure what that bump is. But he’s booked a telehealth consult. He’s ordered a full STD panel online. He’s researching the vaccine. He’s done being silent. Done pretending.
Because silence spreads. But so does knowledge. So does protection. So does care.
Order your rapid test today, for yourself, for your partners, for peace of mind.
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FAQs
1. Can guys actually get HPV?
100% yes, and millions do. HPV doesn’t care what body you were born with. The difference? Men just don’t get routine screening like women do. That’s why most guys have no idea they’re carrying it.
2. So... how would I even know if I have it?
Honestly? You might not. Most men don’t get symptoms. When they do, it’s usually small bumps or warts on the genitals, groin, or around the butt. But HPV can also cause issues deeper inside the body, like the throat or anus, without anything you can see.
3. Wait, you can get it in your throat?
Yup. Oral sex can pass HPV, and that can lead to oropharyngeal cancer. Scary, but rare, and way more common in cis men. If you’ve had unprotected oral sex and get a persistent sore throat or tonsil issue, get it checked out.
4. Can I give someone HPV if I don’t have symptoms?
Totally. That’s part of what makes it so sneaky. You can look and feel completely normal and still pass it through skin-to-skin contact. No ejaculation required. No symptoms necessary. Just friction and the wrong timing.
5. Is there a test I can take for it?
Frustratingly, not a standard one. There’s no routine HPV test approved for men unless you’re part of a high-risk group (like MSM or HIV-positive). Some clinics offer anal Pap smears, but most guys only get diagnosed if they show visible symptoms.
6. How long does HPV last in men?
For most, it clears within 1 to 2 years. Your immune system usually kicks it out like an unwanted party guest. But if your body doesn't clear it, or if it’s one of the high-risk strains, it can hang out longer and cause bigger problems.
7. Can I get the HPV vaccine as an adult?
Yes, and you probably should. If you’re under 45, the Gardasil 9 vaccine can still offer protection, even if you’ve already had sex. It won’t erase existing infections, but it can prevent the worst ones from taking hold.
8. If I have a bump down there, how do I know it’s HPV?
You don’t, at least not without a pro. It could be a skin tag, an ingrown hair, or yes, a wart. Best bet? Stop Googling blurry photos and go get it checked. A nurse practitioner or STD clinic can usually tell right away.
9. Should I tell my partner if I think I have HPV?
If you care about them, yes. Not in a scary way, just honest. “Hey, I found out I might have HPV. It’s super common, and most people don’t even know they’ve had it.” That kind of calm conversation can prevent drama and build trust.
10. Is this the one that causes cancer?
Some strains, yes. HPV-16 and 18 are the big troublemakers. They’re linked to cancers of the cervix, anus, penis, and throat. But again, that’s not common, and you’ve got tools to prevent it. This isn’t a death sentence. It’s a wake-up call.
Sources
2. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
3. The Sun: HPV Linked to Male Infertility
5. Sanitas Medical Center: HPV Testing for Men
6. HPV Thailand: Symptoms in Men
