Doctor says 90% of sexually active men unknowingly carry HPV

2026-02-17 - 04:26

BANGKOK — 17 February 2026, A Thai gynaecologist has said that more than 90% of sexually active men will have been infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV) at some point in their lives, often without knowing it, and urged vaccination for people of all genders. Dr. Prayongsri Kamprapan, a gynaecologist at Thanakan Hospital, said HPV is commonly recognised as the cause of cervical cancer, leading many people to believe the HPV vaccine is only for women. In fact, men face a similarly high risk of infection, and most are unaware they carry the virus. In recent years, doctors have seen a growing number of men seeking consultations and requesting the HPV vaccine on their own initiative, particularly those who research health information themselves or receive advice from partners and family members. The trend reflects rising awareness of preventive healthcare, she said. “More than 90% of men who have been sexually active will have contracted HPV at some stage of their lives. The male immune system does not respond to the virus particularly well, allowing it to remain dormant in the body for more than 10 years without any symptoms,” Prayongsri said. As a result, infected individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus to their partners. HPV can spread through all forms of sexual contact, including male-female, male-male and female-female relationships. Many countries now recommend gender-neutral vaccination, promoting immunisation for all genders as a shared responsibility in preventing infection, she added. HPV infection in men is associated with several diseases, including oral and throat cancers, which are found in men at rates up to five times higher than in women, as well as anal cancer, penile cancer and genital warts. Unlike women, who have cervical cancer screening programmes, men have no routine screening for genital cancers, meaning many cases are detected only after the disease has advanced. “Many men believe that if they have no symptoms, vaccination is unnecessary. In reality, HPV can remain in the body for years and be passed on to loved ones without their knowledge,” she said. “Vaccination protects both the individual and their partner in the long term.” She added that although HPV infection is common and often symptomless, the potential long-term health consequences can be serious. Vaccination is therefore an important preventive healthcare option for men, women and people of diverse sexual orientations, she said.