How to Get Rid of HPV for Men

Visit a clinic or physician to get treated for HPV caused infections.

Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, is a group of viruses of more than 100 different types. It can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact or through sexual activity. Genital HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 20 million sexually active men and women in America between the ages 15 and 49 currently have HPV (See Reference 1). HPV is undetectable in men unless it shows up as genital warts. Vaccines, a diet rich in vegetables and limiting sex partners will assist in getting rid of the HPV virus in men.

Things You'll Need

• Condoms
• Screening test
• Medicine/topical antibiotics

Instructions

1. Go to a clinic, hospital or personal physician to get visually screened for detectable lesions or warts in the genital area caused by HPV. Genital warts, anal cancer and cell changes can be indications of HPV in men. There is currently no blood test available to detect HPV in men.

2. Once diagnosed by a doctor, choose a treatment deemed best for the type of warts you have. The size, location, number of warts, cost of treatment, side effects and recommendations should all be taken into consideration before making a decision. Some treatments are done in the clinic or doctor's office. Others can be done at home over a period of time.

3. Continue to go to the clinic or doctor for repeat treatment of genital warts and HPV. These options include cryotherapy, freezing off the wart using liquid nitrogen; applying trichloracetic acid, which is a chemical applied by a doctor or nurse; surgical removal, which cuts off the wart completely, and laser therapy, which uses an intense light to destroy the warts. The number of treatments will depend on the individual diagnosis, and the success of the procedure varies with every patient.

4. Obtain a prescription from the doctor for topical medications that can be used at home, an alternative to costlier in office treatments. Condylox (podofilox) cream or gel is a self-applied treatment for external genital warts. It has to be used for four consecutive weeks in order to receive the best results. Aldara (imiquimod) is also a self-applied external cream, but works by boosting immune system response to help fight off the warts.

5. Reduce the risk of contracting HPV by safe sex: not having sex with anyone, having sex with only one partner in a monogamous relationship, or using condoms from start to finish when having sex. Condoms only protect the skin the condom covers, and they are not 100 percent effective.

6. Eat immune boosting foods and vegetables. The body will fight against the virus naturally and it is not likely the same type of HPV virus will reoccur in the same form once the body has gotten rid of it. It is possible to be infected with a new form of the HPV virus from a new partner.

References

• Center for Disease Control
• American Social Health Association
• ASHA, Genital Warts

Resources

• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services