What is HPV? Why doctors pitch for vaccinations for both men, women

Hyderabad: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection and is known for causing various types of cancer including cervical cancer.

A study published in the journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology has revealed that men with a high risk of HPV are prone to infertility.

HPV detection in semen analysis is rarely done, unless the female has frequent infections. Though the infection self-cures between 12 and 24 months, experts suggest both males and females take jabs to ensure safety.

Sexually transmitted virus

HPV is sexually transmitted from male to female. The HPV test is carried out in males when the parameters in semen analysis are abnormal.

D Hemalatha Reddy, consultant gynecologist and obstetrician at Kamineni Hospitals, LB Nagar said, “In India, we rarely do test for HPV. But, of late it is more relevant to infertility. Semen analysis is done to determine the motility and count in the male”.

HPV adversely affects the sperm DNA, fertility count, and viability and affects the production of anti-sperm antibodies.

All HPV variants do not affect fertility

There are several genotypes of HPV common among men. Not all the genotypes are high-risk, though the number of high-risk genotypes is more compared to the low-risk ones.

“HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and 66 are considered to be high-risk genotypes for men, while HPV 6,11, 42, 43, and 44 are low-risk types. In addition, we have to understand that the virus types affecting males and females are different”, Dr Hemalatha said.

Most of the men do not have any symptoms of being affected by HPV and the infection self cures in 12 to 24 months. The time for cure depends primarily on the age of the male.

Vaccinations can help prevent HPV

The HPV vaccination for females is part of the vaccine schedule in India, while men are recommended to take the vaccine as per the advice of their doctors.

“The HPV adversely affects prostatic and seminal glands for males, while females can suffer from cancer in the vagina and cervix. This can also affect the anus and penis of infected men. The nonavalent vaccine can be taken by both male and female to prevent infection against most HPV types except HPV 59”, Dr Hemalatha said.