How do test for hpv in men

HPV is a common type of sexually transmitted infection. In fact, most sexually active people will have some strain of the virus at some point in their lives.

Some strains of HPV are linked to serious conditions like cancer of the cervix, anus, and mouth. You can walk through your options for testing and what happens when the results come back.

There are more than types of HPV — some low-risk and some high-risk. Knowing the type of HPV you have can help determine if you're at increased…. It often has few or no symptoms, which is why getting…. Most sexually active men and women will have HPV at some point in their lives. About 40 types of HPV are sexually transmitted. In rare cases, HPV is a…. If you or your partner is diagnosed with HPV, you may have some questions.

What is it? How do I talk to my partner about it? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Cameron White, M. Who should be tested? Several strains of the virus can be responsible for serious complications, like cancer. Who should test for HPV? How is an HPV test done? HPV test precautions. HPV test cost. This doesn't hurt, and you may not even feel the sample being taken. After your test, you can go about your normal daily activities without any restrictions.

Ask your doctor about when you can expect to receive your test results. Results from your HPV test will come back as either positive or negative. Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Sections for HPV test About. Overview The human papillomavirus HPV test detects the presence of human papillomavirus, a virus that can lead to the development of genital warts, abnormal cervical cells or cervical cancer. Your doctor may likely recommend the HPV test if:. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Pap test Open pop-up dialog box Close. Pap test In a Pap test, your doctor uses a vaginal speculum to hold your vaginal walls apart and to see the cervix.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Cervical cancer: What should I know about screening? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Accessed April 13, HPV can lead to genital warts and cancer in both men and women—the virus can cancers of the cervix, penis, anus, and throat. Women are tested for cervical cancer via pap smear, usually once every three years, during their regular gynecological appointments.

But no test has been approved for routine use in men. HPV is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. That skin-to-skin contact can be sexual in nature or not. That means that practically anybody can contract HPV. Anyone who is sexually active can get the strains of HPV that can cause genital warts or certain types of cancer. Even if there are no signs or symptoms of the virus, you or your partner can still be contagious. And because HPV symptoms can take months or years to show up, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly when and where you picked it up.

In the vast majority of cases, men infected with HPV have no symptoms. Signs of HPV can include warts on the genitals, anus or groin area; common warts on the hands, fingers or face; and plantar warts, hard growths on the soles of your feet.