It’s good that women these days are more proactive in protecting themselves against cervical cancer. The leading cause of the disease is the sexually-transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV), and a lot of women are getting vaccinated against it, thanks to the recent bombardment of awareness campaigns. But did you know that HPV can be a threat to your man’s health, too?
HPV can unleash a lot more health threats aside from cervical cancer. FHM.com.ph reports that 40 of HPV’s 100 strains affect the genital areas of both men and women. Besides cervical cancer, HPV also leads to other cancers such as vulval, vaginal, penile, and anal, and even some head and neck cancers. A recent study conducted by the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill also states that men afflicted with HPV have 80 percent higher risk of contracting HIV, which we all know may lead to AIDS.
Thankfully, not all HPV strains lead to such grave diseases, but some of them do cause genital warts. Although not exactly lethal, to call these blemishes unsightly is definitely an understatement, and they may cause physical, sexual, and social distress later on.
HPV is startlingly common, affecting 80 percent of the population. If you’re not among the unfortunate 80 percent, don’t count your lucky stars just yet. Having sexual contact—be it vaginal, oral, or anal—with a person who already carries the virus gives you 50 percent chance of catching it as well.
This would really make you think twice about whom you knock boots with.
To lower your risk of being struck by the horrors of HPV, be a one-man woman. And if you really love your partner, go get the HPV shot with him. The quadrivalent HPV recombinant vaccine is highly recommended to ward off not just cancer risks, but also those nasty, unsightly warts.
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