Does HPV cause health problems in men?

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, can increase the risk for anal and penile cancer in men, according to WebMd. Low-risk strains not linked to cancer can also cause genital warts.

The HPV strains that increase the risk of cervical cancer for women are typically harmless to men, and cancers of the penis and anus are rare, explains WebMD. HPV affects more than half of sexually active men in the United States at some point in their lives, and they typically fight off the virus without developing any health problems. However, sexually active gay and bisexual men are approximately 17 times more likely to develop anal cancer.