HPV Testing in Males: Not Recommended
Routine HPV testing in men is not recommended and no clinically validated test exists for this purpose. 1, 2
Why Testing Men for HPV Is Not Done
The CDC explicitly states that HPV tests should not be used to screen men, partners of women with HPV, or for any health conditions other than cervical cancer in women. 1, 2 This recommendation is based on several key factors:
No FDA-approved test exists for men - While HPV DNA tests are available, they are only FDA-cleared for use with cervical specimens, not penile, oral, or anal specimens in males. 2, 3
No clinical utility - Even if HPV DNA could be detected in men, there is no established clinical management pathway that would change based on test results. 1
Most partners are already infected - Within an ongoing sexual relationship, both partners are usually already infected by the time one person is diagnosed, even without visible signs. 1, 2
Infection typically clears spontaneously - Most HPV infections resolve without intervention and never cause health problems. 1, 2
What Should Be Done Instead
Visual examination for genital warts is the only recommended assessment in men. 2 If visible warts are present, they can be diagnosed clinically and treated, but this does not require HPV testing. 1
Screening for Other STDs
Both partners should be screened for other sexually transmitted diseases if one partner has genital warts or HPV-related conditions. 2 This is the actionable clinical step, not HPV testing itself.
Vaccination Consideration
The quadrivalent HPV vaccine can be used in males aged 9-26 years to prevent genital warts and HPV-related cancers, but HPV testing should not be used to decide whether to vaccinate. 1, 2
Research Methods (Not for Clinical Use)
While research studies have evaluated various sampling techniques in men, these are not validated for clinical practice:
- Penile swabs from multiple sites (shaft, glans, foreskin, scrotum) detect HPV more frequently than single-site sampling. 4, 5
- Urine testing has poor sensitivity (41%) compared to penile swabs and is not useful for screening asymptomatic men. 6, 7
- Emery paper abrasion followed by swabbing improves sample adequacy but remains investigational. 4
These methods remain research tools only and have no role in routine clinical care. 3
Critical Counseling Points
When a female partner is diagnosed with HPV, men should understand:
HPV diagnosis does not indicate infidelity - Transmission likely occurred before diagnosis, and HPV can remain dormant for years. 1, 2
Condoms reduce but don't eliminate transmission - HPV can infect areas not covered by condoms. 1, 2
Most sexually active adults acquire HPV - This is an extremely common infection that usually causes no problems. 1, 2