Quick Answer: HPV affects queer men disproportionately, especially those who are unvaccinated. It spreads through anal, oral, and genital contact, even without penetration. HPV can cause anal cancer, throat cancer, and warts. Vaccination is safe, effective, and critical for gay men’s health.
The Stats They Never Told You
Here’s what’s rarely said out loud: Gay and bisexual men are at dramatically higher risk for HPV-related diseases, especially anal cancer.
- MSM are up to 20 times more likely than heterosexual men to develop anal cancer
- Over 70% of anal cancers are caused by high-risk HPV strains
- Among HIV-positive MSM, the risk is even more extreme, 100 times higher in some studies
Despite this, HPV vaccination efforts have overwhelmingly focused on cisgender girls and women. Many queer men never even hear about the HPV vaccine unless they seek it out themselves, and by then, it may be too late to prevent exposure.
“Nobody ever told me. I was 27 before I found out gay men could get cancer from HPV.”, Rafael, 34
HPV is silent, stubborn, and everywhere. But with testing, treatment, and accessible at-home screening, queer men can stop being left behind.
People are also reading: STD in My Eye? The Truth About Herpes, Pink Eye, and That Weird Burning
Why HPV Spreads So Easily, Even Without “Sex”
HPV doesn’t care about labels or identities. It spreads through skin-to-skin contact, meaning penetrative sex isn’t required. Any close contact involving genitals, anus, or mouth can transmit the virus.
For queer men, that means:
- Receiving or giving oral sex
- Rimming (analingus)
- Genital-to-genital contact (with or without penetration)
- Sharing sex toys without protection
That’s why even men who don’t identify as “sexually active” in the traditional sense can be at risk. The virus is incredibly common, and most people who have it don’t know they do.
According to the CDC, over 80% of sexually active adults will get HPV at some point in their lives. And because there's no general screening for HPV in men, most go undiagnosed until symptoms or complications, like warts or cancer, appear.
“I thought if I used condoms I was covered. But HPV doesn’t always work like that.”, Andre, 29
Condoms reduce risk, but don’t fully prevent HPV transmission. That’s why testing and vaccination remain critical tools, especially in high-risk populations like MSM.
The Vaccine Gap: Why Queer Men Got Left Out
When the HPV vaccine first hit the market, it was marketed only to young girls and women, to prevent cervical cancer. Gay men? Nowhere in sight.
This exclusion has had real consequences:
- Fewer queer men vaccinated before exposure
- Healthcare providers less likely to offer the vaccine to MSM
- Stigma around discussing anal sex or queer health with doctors
The result? A generation of gay and bi men at risk, many of whom don’t even know the vaccine is available to them.
Even today, many providers don't bring it up unless prompted. Yet the vaccine is FDA-approved for everyone up to age 45. And for MSM, the benefits can be life-saving.
Gardasil 9, the current HPV vaccine, protects against the strains most likely to cause cancer and genital warts. And if you’re not sure whether you’ve been exposed, this at-home HPV test can help you start the conversation with your provider.
What HPV Looks Like in Men (When It Shows at All)
Most people with HPV have no symptoms. That’s part of what makes it so insidious, especially for men. While some strains cause visible genital warts, others quietly increase the risk for cancers of the anus, penis, and throat.
In men who have sex with men, HPV is most likely to show up as:
- Anal warts: Raised, skin-colored bumps around the anus
- Oral lesions: Unexplained soreness, growths, or persistent throat irritation
- Anal cancer symptoms: Bleeding, pain, or changes in bowel habits
But here’s the kicker, HPV testing isn’t routinely offered to men, even those at high risk. That means these symptoms are often dismissed or misdiagnosed until it’s too late.
“I had warts and didn’t know what they were. I thought it was irritation. By the time I got them checked, it had spread.”, Jonas, 41
Don’t wait for symptoms. If you’re sexually active, especially if you’ve had anal or oral sex, consider an HPV test designed for men.
Check Your STD Status in Minutes
Test at Home with RemediumPapillomavirus (HPV) Test
For Women
Results in Minutes
No Lab Needed
Private & DiscreetOrder Now $33.99 $49.00
HIV and HPV: A Dangerous Intersection
For gay and bisexual men living with HIV, the risk of HPV-related complications skyrockets. Weakened immune systems make it harder to clear the virus, and co-infection with high-risk strains becomes more likely.
- Anal cancer rates in HIV-positive MSM are up to 100x higher than in the general population
- HPV-related lesions progress faster in people with compromised immunity
- Warts and precancerous changes are harder to treat and more likely to recur
This makes vaccination even more urgent, and testing absolutely essential.
If you're living with HIV, talk to your provider about regular anal Pap smears and HPV vaccination. You can also test at home for peace of mind between appointments.
Why Gay Sex Carries Unique HPV Risks
Let’s name it plainly: anal sex comes with higher HPV transmission risk. The lining of the anus is thinner and more vulnerable to microscopic tears, making it easier for the virus to take hold. That applies whether you’re a top, bottom, or versatile.
Even without ejaculation or visible warts, HPV can still be transmitted. Skin-to-skin contact is enough. And because there’s no consistent screening protocol for anal HPV in men, queer men often don’t know they’re infected.
Oral HPV and Queer Men's Throat Cancer Risk
Oral sex is often dismissed as “low risk,” but HPV can absolutely be transmitted through it. Gay and bisexual men are at elevated risk for developing oropharyngeal cancer, a cancer of the throat, tonsils, or base of the tongue caused by HPV.
Symptoms to watch for:
- Sore throat that doesn’t go away
- Swelling or lumps in the neck
- Pain when swallowing
Men are now more likely than women to develop HPV-related oral cancers, especially men who have sex with men. It’s a direct result of low vaccination rates and late diagnoses.
People are also reading: Cold Sore After Oral Sex? Here’s How to Tell If It’s Herpes
Why Doctors Often Miss It
Queer men face medical bias that puts them at risk, not just from the virus, but from the silence around it. Many providers still:
- Don’t ask about same-sex behavior
- Assume patients don’t want the HPV vaccine
- Fail to offer anal Pap smears or HPV testing
If you’re not out to your provider, or if they don’t create a safe space for disclosure, you may never get offered the protection you deserve.
That’s not your fault. But it’s another reason at-home testing matters. You don’t need permission to take control of your health.
The Stigma That Silences Queer Health
Sexual health conversations often center cisgender, heterosexual experiences. For queer men, that means real risks get buried under:
- Shame: About anal sex, oral sex, or STI exposure
- Misinformation: “Only women get HPV” or “You’re fine if you use condoms”
- Healthcare erasure: Vaccine campaigns that exclude MSM entirely
Stigma isn’t just social, it’s structural. And it’s costing lives.
Check Your STD Status in Minutes
Test at Home with Remedium10-in-1 STD Test Kit
For WomenResults in MinutesNo Lab NeededPrivate & DiscreetOrder Now $189.00 $490.00
For all 10 tests
Why It’s Not Too Late for the Vaccine
Even if you’re older or sexually active, the HPV vaccine can still help. The FDA has approved HPV vaccination up to age 45. While it won’t eliminate infections you already have, it can prevent future exposure to other high-risk strains.
The vaccine is especially recommended if you:
- Have sex with multiple partners
- Engage in oral or anal sex
- Are HIV-positive or immunocompromised
If you’re not sure of your status, start with an HPV test. Then ask your provider about vaccine options, even if you’ve “aged out.”
Can You Clear HPV Naturally?
In many cases, yes. The immune system clears most HPV infections within 1 to 2 years. But high-risk strains can linger, and turn into cancer in the meantime.
If you smoke, have HIV, or are immunocompromised, your risk of persistent HPV is higher. And once symptoms appear, treatment becomes more difficult. Prevention is key.
HPV isn’t about promiscuity. It’s about exposure. And nearly all adults are exposed, whether they know it or not.
What to Do If You Test Positive
First: Don’t panic. A positive HPV test doesn’t mean you’ll get cancer. It means you’ve been exposed to a common virus, and now you have a chance to monitor and protect your health.
Your next steps may include:
- Follow-up testing for high-risk strains
- Anal Pap smear (if available through your provider)
- Visual inspection for warts or lesions
- Vaccination, if you're still eligible
“I tested positive and felt so much shame. But once I knew, I could deal with it. That test saved me.”, Marco, 38
What Testing Looks Like for Queer Men
Since there’s no standard HPV screening for men, options are limited. But more companies now offer at-home HPV tests for men who have sex with men, designed for anal or oral exposure routes.
These tests may include:
- Anal swabs
- Oral rinse or throat swabs
- Genital swabs (for visible warts or irritation)
STD Rapid Test Kits offers discreet, lab-accurate HPV testing for men, with no need to explain your sex life to anyone. Because your identity shouldn’t be a barrier to care.
People are also reading: Alaska’s Gonorrhea Crisis: What Symptoms Locals Miss Most
How to Talk to Your Partner About HPV
Disclosure is hard, especially when stigma runs deep. But remember: HPV is normal. Treatable. Manageable. If you’ve tested positive, your partner deserves to know, and you both deserve support.
Try this:
“I found out I have HPV. It’s super common, and I want us to take care of each other. Would you be open to talking about testing or the vaccine?”
Most people respond better than we expect. And if they don’t? That says more about them than it does about you.
It's Time to Center Queer Men's Health
HPV doesn’t just affect women. It affects men, especially queer men, at staggering rates. And yet queer men are still left out of education, out of screening, and out of vaccine outreach.
This isn’t about alarmism. It’s about justice.
Start with a test. Then protect your community, one honest conversation at a time.
Check Your STD Status in Minutes
Test at Home with Remedium7-in-1 STD Test Kit
For Men & WomenResults in MinutesNo Lab NeededPrivate & DiscreetOrder Now $129.00 $343.00
For all 7 tests
FAQs
1. Can gay men get HPV?
Yes. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for HPV and HPV-related cancers, especially anal and oral cancers.
2. What does HPV look like in men?
Most infections are invisible. Some cause genital or anal warts. High-risk strains may lead to cancer without symptoms until it’s advanced.
3. Is HPV really dangerous for men?
Yes. HPV causes most cases of anal cancer, and men are increasingly affected by HPV-related throat cancers. MSM face much higher risks.
4. Can you get HPV from oral or anal sex?
Absolutely. HPV spreads through skin-to-skin contact, including oral, genital, and anal sex, even without penetration.
5. Is the HPV vaccine effective for gay men?
Very. Gardasil 9 protects against multiple high-risk strains and can significantly reduce the risk of cancer and genital warts.
6. Is it too late to get the HPV vaccine after 26?
Not necessarily. The FDA has approved vaccination up to age 45. Talk to your provider, or test first to understand your status.
7. Why aren’t men routinely tested for HPV?
There’s no standardized HPV screening for men. Queer men often rely on visual inspection or self-initiated testing.
8. What if I test positive?
Stay calm. Most HPV infections clear on their own. Your provider may recommend monitoring, Pap smears, or follow-up exams.
9. Can HPV affect HIV-positive men differently?
Yes. Men with HIV are less likely to clear HPV and are at higher risk for serious complications like anal cancer.
10. Where can I get tested for HPV discreetly?
STD Rapid Test Kits offers confidential, lab-verified HPV testing options for men, including anal and oral swabs.
Your Sexual Health Is Queer Health
HPV is the most common STD in the world, and one of the most preventable. But queer men have been left behind by mainstream prevention efforts, and the consequences are deadly.
Don’t wait for symptoms. Don’t wait for a provider to ask. Take control today with an at-home HPV test, and protect yourself, your partners, and your future.
Sources
1. Springer – “Low Uptake of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Among MSM in U.S. and Canada”
3. HPV World – “HPV Vaccine Uptake Among GBM in Major Canadian Cities”
4. Journal of Infectious Diseases – “Vaccine Effectiveness Against Anal HPV Infection in GBM”
5. National LGBT Cancer Network – “HPV and Cancer in LGBTQ+ Individuals”
