While you may have heard about the link between HPV and cervical cancer, the virus doesn't just affect females. HPV can infect males too. In the United States, it's estimated that HPV will infect 75% to 80% of males and females in their lifetime.

For most, HPV clears on its own. But, for others who don't clear certain types, HPV could cause significant consequences: cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in females. Other types could cause genital warts in both males and females. And there's no way to predict who will or won't clear the virus.

Exposure to HPV can happen with any kind of adolescent experimentation that involves genital contact with someone who has HPV—intercourse isn't necessary.

Since HPV often has no signs or symptoms, many people who have the virus don't even know it. It's also important to know that there's currently no recommended screening test for HPV in males.

DID YOU KNOW? When it comes to HPV, females are only part of the story.
HPV affects males, too.