Anogenital human papillomavirus infection in males

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is estimated to be the most common sexually transmitted infection in adolescents. HPV infection typically causes no signs or symptoms. Clinical manifestations of HPV infection in males are anogenital warts, caused by low-risk HPV types, or rarely anogenital intraepithelial lesions or carcinoma, caused by high-risk HPV types. Anogenital warts occur in approximately 1% of adolescent males. Because no single available therapy for anogenital warts is superior, anogenital wart treatment is guided by patient preference, available resources, and health care provider experience. The only absolute method to prevent sexual transmission of HPV infection is to avoid genital contact; effectiveness of other strategies for primary prevention, such as correct and consistent use of condoms, delaying onset of sexual intercourse, and circumcision, are unknown. HPV vaccines may be available in the future, as HPV vaccine research efforts are showing promising results.