Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSide Effects and SafetyGardasil for Men and BoysHPV in MalesImmunization ScheduleContraindications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Side Effects and Safety
Gardasil for Men and Boys
HPV in Males
Immunization Schedule
Contraindications
Gardasil9is a vaccine (immunization) that protects against humanpapillomavirus(HPV). Gardasil side effects are not common and are usually mild. For example, some people may experience soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site.
HPV vaccination prevents nine high-risk types of HPV linked to cancer, predominatelycervical cancerbut also cancer of theanus,vagina,vulva,penis, mouth, tonsils, and throat.The safety of Gardasil was established in research before it was approved and continues to be studied today.
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Since HPV vaccination was first introduced in 2006, there has been public concern over safety, especially among parents of boys and girls. These concerns have persisted despite the fact that there has been over 15 years of consistent evidence that HPV vaccines are safe and effective.
Gardasil 9 side effects are not common and are usually mild. The vaccine may cause mild, transient side effects in some people, including:
Studies have not indicated that Gardasil side effects for men and boys are any different than they are for girls and women.
Most people who get the HPV vaccine experience no side effects at all.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other organizations continue to monitor Gardasil’s side effects and safety profile to ensure that parents feel confident.Still, misinformation persists, often on social media.
However, statistics like these help support the use of Gardasil for HPV prevention:
Health experts also remind consumers that just because a health problem is reported after a vaccine doesn’t mean the vaccine caused it.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States and an HPV infection can occur in boys or girls. Even though it usually goes away on its own, this shouldn’t suggest you should take any chances with your child. An HPV infection can continue to affect men or women even later in life.
In 2018, the CDC further expanded its recommendation so that all people, including men, aged 27 to 45 have access to the vaccine. Adults can opt for HPV vaccination after consultation with a healthcare provider.
While HPV is often associated with girls and women, vaccination in men and boys is essential. The virus is spread through sexual contact, which means that a person with a penis who is infected with HPV canpass it to another partner.
By preemptively vaccinating boys before they are sexually active, thespread of infectioncan be reduced along with their risk of anal, penile, andoropharyngeal(mouth and throat) cancerin later life.
Currently, Gardasil 9 is today the only HPV vaccine approved for use in the United States following the voluntary discontinuation of Cervarix (which protected against two HPV types) in 2016.
Gardasil 9 protects against sevenhigh-risk types of HPVassociated with cancer (types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58) and two low-risk types associated with genital warts (types 6 and 11).
HPV vaccination is highly effective in people who have not been exposed to the HPV types that Gardasil 9 protects against.
The clinical trials used to gain approval for Gardasil 9 found it to be almost 100% effective in preventing the HPV strains that it targets. This is true if someone has not already contracted a strain before the vaccine. However, even if you have one strain, the vaccine can still prevent the other types.
HPV Infection in Males
According to the CDC, an estimated 79 million people in the U.S. are infected with HPV. There are over 200 types of HPV, 40 or so of which are sexually transmitted. Most do not cause cancer, and some cause no symptoms. while others can cause cancer or genital warts.
Genital Warts
A handful of low-risk HPV types are responsible forgenital warts, of which 90% are linked to HPV types 6 and 11. In people who have penises, the warts may occur on the penis, scrotum, testicles, anus, groin, or thighs.
In most cases, genital warts pose no major health risks, although they may be unsightly and embarrassing. Some will resolve on their own; others may requiremedical treatmentto remove them (although recurrence is common).
Cancer
The types of HPV that can cause genital warts are not the same as those that can cause cancer. Most people who become infected with these do not know that they have been infected.
These high-risk types, calledoncogenicHPV, can linger and cause normal cells to turn cancerous—although it is not entirely clear why. While the type of HPV plays a large role in this, so can co-occurring conditions likeHIV, which is already linked to an increased risk of many types of cancer.
In people with penises who are diagnosed with HPV and HIV, theincidenceof anal cancer is roughly 78 per 100,000 compared to only 2 per 100,000 in the general population. Some studies have suggested that the rate may be as high as 168 per 100,000.
The CDC recommendations for HPV vaccination are the same for boys and girls. The ideal age to receive Gardasil 9 is between 11 and 12 when most people are not yet sexually active.
American Cancer Society (ACS) RecommendationsThe American Cancer Society (ACS) has lowered the recommended age to begin the vaccine to 9 years old. It is safe at this age, long lasting, and effective. The goal of this recommendation is to ensure that children are getting this vaccination well in advance of initial sexual contact.
American Cancer Society (ACS) Recommendations
The American Cancer Society (ACS) has lowered the recommended age to begin the vaccine to 9 years old. It is safe at this age, long lasting, and effective. The goal of this recommendation is to ensure that children are getting this vaccination well in advance of initial sexual contact.
Anyone through the age of 26 should also be vaccinated if they have not previously done so or have not completed the recommended series.
Even so, vaccination during the preteen years is preferred as people are less likely to have been exposed to the virus and generally have a better immune response to the vaccine.
It is important to note that while the FDA approved HPV vaccination in people ages 27 to 45, the CDC recommends “shared clinical decision-making” regarding HPV vaccination in this age group.
According to the CDC, HPV is so common that nearly all sexually active people will get the virus at some point in their lives.
Those with a latex allergy can safely take Gardasil 9. While there is a formulation that contains latex, it is no longer used in the U.S.
While there is no evidence that the vaccine will negatively affect pregnancy or harm a developing fetus, most healthcare providers will delay the vaccination until after pregnancy.
Summary
The HPV vaccine,Gardasil 9, protects against the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) with multiple strains. Some strains or types go on their own without causing symptoms. However, high-risk strains can cause cancers, and low-risk strains can cause genital warts. While HPV is not curable, it is treatable.
The HPV vaccine is recommended for all people. The CDC recommends starting the vaccine around ages 11 or 12. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends starting at age 9 to ensure the vaccine has been given before a person becomes sexually active.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control.Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Safety.Merck & Co.Package insert - Gardasil 9.National Cancer Institute.Despite Proven Safety of HPV Vaccines, More Parents Have Concerns.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Recommendations on the use of quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine in males–Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2011.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011;60(50):1705-1708.Berry JM, Jay N, Cranston RD, et al.Progression of anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions to invasive anal cancer among HIV-infected men who have sex with men.Int J Cancer. 2014;134(5):1147-1155. doi:10.1002/ijc.28431Patel P, Bush T, Kojic EM, et al.Prevalence, incidence, and clearance of anal high-risk human papillomavirus infection among HIV-infected men in the SUN study.J Infect Dis.2018;217(6):953-963. doi:10.1093/infdis/jix607U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves expanded use of Gardasil 9 to include individuals 27 through 45 years olds.Meites E, Szilagyi PG, Chesson HW, Unger ER, Romero JR, Markowitz LE.Human papillomavirus vaccination for adults: updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2019;68:698-702. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6832a3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Basic information about HPV and cancer.Kombe Kombe AJ, Li B, Zahid A, et al.Epidemiology and burden of human papillomavirus and related diseases, molecular pathogenesis, and vaccine evaluation.Front Public Health. 2020;8:552028. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.552028Lin C, Franceschi S, Clifford GM.Human papillomavirus types from infection to cancer in the anus, according to sex and HIV status: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Lancet Infect Dis. 2018;18(2):198-206. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(17)30653-9Blaser N, Bertisch B, Kouyos RD, et al.Impact of screening and antiretroviral therapy on anal cancer incidence in HIV-positive MSM.AIDS. 2017;31:1859-1866. doi:10.1097/QAD.0000000000001546Kidd LC, Chaing S, Chipollini J, Giuliano AR, Spiess PE, Sharma P.Relationship between human papillomavirus and penile cancer-implications for prevention and treatment.Transl Androl Urol. 2017;6(5):791-802. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.06.27Chaturvedi AK.Beyond cervical cancer: burden of other HPV-related cancers among men and women.J Adolesc Health. 2010;46(4 Suppl):S20-S26. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.01.016American Cancer Society.Prevent 6 cancers with the HPV vaccine.Immunize.org.HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine Requirements for Secondary School.National Cancer Institute (NIH).Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Human papillomavirus (HPV).
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control.Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Safety.Merck & Co.Package insert - Gardasil 9.National Cancer Institute.Despite Proven Safety of HPV Vaccines, More Parents Have Concerns.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Recommendations on the use of quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine in males–Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2011.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011;60(50):1705-1708.Berry JM, Jay N, Cranston RD, et al.Progression of anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions to invasive anal cancer among HIV-infected men who have sex with men.Int J Cancer. 2014;134(5):1147-1155. doi:10.1002/ijc.28431Patel P, Bush T, Kojic EM, et al.Prevalence, incidence, and clearance of anal high-risk human papillomavirus infection among HIV-infected men in the SUN study.J Infect Dis.2018;217(6):953-963. doi:10.1093/infdis/jix607U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves expanded use of Gardasil 9 to include individuals 27 through 45 years olds.Meites E, Szilagyi PG, Chesson HW, Unger ER, Romero JR, Markowitz LE.Human papillomavirus vaccination for adults: updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2019;68:698-702. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6832a3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Basic information about HPV and cancer.Kombe Kombe AJ, Li B, Zahid A, et al.Epidemiology and burden of human papillomavirus and related diseases, molecular pathogenesis, and vaccine evaluation.Front Public Health. 2020;8:552028. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.552028Lin C, Franceschi S, Clifford GM.Human papillomavirus types from infection to cancer in the anus, according to sex and HIV status: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Lancet Infect Dis. 2018;18(2):198-206. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(17)30653-9Blaser N, Bertisch B, Kouyos RD, et al.Impact of screening and antiretroviral therapy on anal cancer incidence in HIV-positive MSM.AIDS. 2017;31:1859-1866. doi:10.1097/QAD.0000000000001546Kidd LC, Chaing S, Chipollini J, Giuliano AR, Spiess PE, Sharma P.Relationship between human papillomavirus and penile cancer-implications for prevention and treatment.Transl Androl Urol. 2017;6(5):791-802. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.06.27Chaturvedi AK.Beyond cervical cancer: burden of other HPV-related cancers among men and women.J Adolesc Health. 2010;46(4 Suppl):S20-S26. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.01.016American Cancer Society.Prevent 6 cancers with the HPV vaccine.Immunize.org.HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine Requirements for Secondary School.National Cancer Institute (NIH).Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Human papillomavirus (HPV).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control.Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Safety.Merck & Co.Package insert - Gardasil 9.National Cancer Institute.Despite Proven Safety of HPV Vaccines, More Parents Have Concerns.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Recommendations on the use of quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine in males–Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2011.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011;60(50):1705-1708.Berry JM, Jay N, Cranston RD, et al.Progression of anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions to invasive anal cancer among HIV-infected men who have sex with men.Int J Cancer. 2014;134(5):1147-1155. doi:10.1002/ijc.28431Patel P, Bush T, Kojic EM, et al.Prevalence, incidence, and clearance of anal high-risk human papillomavirus infection among HIV-infected men in the SUN study.J Infect Dis.2018;217(6):953-963. doi:10.1093/infdis/jix607U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves expanded use of Gardasil 9 to include individuals 27 through 45 years olds.Meites E, Szilagyi PG, Chesson HW, Unger ER, Romero JR, Markowitz LE.Human papillomavirus vaccination for adults: updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2019;68:698-702. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6832a3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Basic information about HPV and cancer.Kombe Kombe AJ, Li B, Zahid A, et al.Epidemiology and burden of human papillomavirus and related diseases, molecular pathogenesis, and vaccine evaluation.Front Public Health. 2020;8:552028. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.552028Lin C, Franceschi S, Clifford GM.Human papillomavirus types from infection to cancer in the anus, according to sex and HIV status: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Lancet Infect Dis. 2018;18(2):198-206. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(17)30653-9Blaser N, Bertisch B, Kouyos RD, et al.Impact of screening and antiretroviral therapy on anal cancer incidence in HIV-positive MSM.AIDS. 2017;31:1859-1866. doi:10.1097/QAD.0000000000001546Kidd LC, Chaing S, Chipollini J, Giuliano AR, Spiess PE, Sharma P.Relationship between human papillomavirus and penile cancer-implications for prevention and treatment.Transl Androl Urol. 2017;6(5):791-802. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.06.27Chaturvedi AK.Beyond cervical cancer: burden of other HPV-related cancers among men and women.J Adolesc Health. 2010;46(4 Suppl):S20-S26. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.01.016American Cancer Society.Prevent 6 cancers with the HPV vaccine.Immunize.org.HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine Requirements for Secondary School.National Cancer Institute (NIH).Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Human papillomavirus (HPV).
Centers for Disease Control.Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Safety.
Merck & Co.Package insert - Gardasil 9.
National Cancer Institute.Despite Proven Safety of HPV Vaccines, More Parents Have Concerns.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Recommendations on the use of quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine in males–Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2011.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011;60(50):1705-1708.
Berry JM, Jay N, Cranston RD, et al.Progression of anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions to invasive anal cancer among HIV-infected men who have sex with men.Int J Cancer. 2014;134(5):1147-1155. doi:10.1002/ijc.28431
Patel P, Bush T, Kojic EM, et al.Prevalence, incidence, and clearance of anal high-risk human papillomavirus infection among HIV-infected men in the SUN study.J Infect Dis.2018;217(6):953-963. doi:10.1093/infdis/jix607
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves expanded use of Gardasil 9 to include individuals 27 through 45 years olds.
Meites E, Szilagyi PG, Chesson HW, Unger ER, Romero JR, Markowitz LE.Human papillomavirus vaccination for adults: updated recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2019;68:698-702. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6832a3
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Basic information about HPV and cancer.
Kombe Kombe AJ, Li B, Zahid A, et al.Epidemiology and burden of human papillomavirus and related diseases, molecular pathogenesis, and vaccine evaluation.Front Public Health. 2020;8:552028. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.552028
Lin C, Franceschi S, Clifford GM.Human papillomavirus types from infection to cancer in the anus, according to sex and HIV status: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Lancet Infect Dis. 2018;18(2):198-206. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(17)30653-9
Blaser N, Bertisch B, Kouyos RD, et al.Impact of screening and antiretroviral therapy on anal cancer incidence in HIV-positive MSM.AIDS. 2017;31:1859-1866. doi:10.1097/QAD.0000000000001546
Kidd LC, Chaing S, Chipollini J, Giuliano AR, Spiess PE, Sharma P.Relationship between human papillomavirus and penile cancer-implications for prevention and treatment.Transl Androl Urol. 2017;6(5):791-802. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.06.27
Chaturvedi AK.Beyond cervical cancer: burden of other HPV-related cancers among men and women.J Adolesc Health. 2010;46(4 Suppl):S20-S26. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.01.016
American Cancer Society.Prevent 6 cancers with the HPV vaccine.
Immunize.org.HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine Requirements for Secondary School.
National Cancer Institute (NIH).Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Human papillomavirus (HPV).
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