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Is Gardasil Vaccination Advisable For Homosexual Men?
Question: Is there any benefit to a 26 old homosexual man getting Gardasil immunisation?
Brief Answer:
Gardasil will be beneficial to people not yet sexually active.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thank you for posting your query.
Gardasil vaccine is mainly approved for the age group of girls between 11- 12 years and beneficial up to the age of 17 for both boys and girls.
Gardasil vaccine will be beneficial for you, if you had not exposed to that virus so far through your sexual activities and if had not been infected already with HPV (which can not be revealed by examination alone). In case infection had been passed to you already and if you were not aware about the same, it will not be of use.
Dr S.Murugan
Gardasil will be beneficial to people not yet sexually active.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thank you for posting your query.
Gardasil vaccine is mainly approved for the age group of girls between 11- 12 years and beneficial up to the age of 17 for both boys and girls.
Gardasil vaccine will be beneficial for you, if you had not exposed to that virus so far through your sexual activities and if had not been infected already with HPV (which can not be revealed by examination alone). In case infection had been passed to you already and if you were not aware about the same, it will not be of use.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your reply. Just to confirm, are there any tests to confirm which strains of HPV I might have already come in contact with? My point is that if the test shows that I have not been exposed to many strains it might mean Gardasil could be useful. Or are my assumptions illogical? Many sexual hearth clinics in Western countries are recommending Gardasil to men over 17 who have sex with men.
Brief Answer:
It can be tested with sophisticated virological labs.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Tests are available to know the different serovars affected, with special labs specializing virology and not with every laboratories.
Dr S.Murugan
It can be tested with sophisticated virological labs.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Tests are available to know the different serovars affected, with special labs specializing virology and not with every laboratories.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I just checked Merks website to see the strains that are covered. However unwittingly I have discovered information that contradicts your earlier answer. It says at age 26 I would benefit from it:
"GARDASIL 9® (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant) is a vaccine indicated in females 9 through 26 years of age for the prevention of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) Types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; precancerous or dysplastic lesions caused by HPV Types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; and genital warts caused by HPV Types 6 and 11.
GARDASIL 9Â is indicated in males 9 through 26 years of age for the prevention of anal cancer caused by HPV Types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; precancerous or dysplastic lesions caused by HPV Types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; and genital warts caused by HPV Types 6 and 11."
Is it your option that the benefits are not likely there for those over 17 despite the above?
"GARDASIL 9® (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant) is a vaccine indicated in females 9 through 26 years of age for the prevention of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) Types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; precancerous or dysplastic lesions caused by HPV Types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; and genital warts caused by HPV Types 6 and 11.
GARDASIL 9Â is indicated in males 9 through 26 years of age for the prevention of anal cancer caused by HPV Types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; precancerous or dysplastic lesions caused by HPV Types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; and genital warts caused by HPV Types 6 and 11."
Is it your option that the benefits are not likely there for those over 17 despite the above?
Brief Answer:
It has its benefits at this age, if sexual activities are not yet started.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Guidelines are changing every year. Initially HPV vaccination was recommended only for adolescents.
I never say that this vaccination is useless for an adult of 26 years old. I mentioned that if you are already sexually active and/or if there was a possibility of HPV infection already, then it will not be use to you. Till starting the sexual activities, HPV vaccine has its benefits in preventing anal and cervical carcinoma or intra-epithelial neoplasm.
Dr S.Murugan
It has its benefits at this age, if sexual activities are not yet started.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Guidelines are changing every year. Initially HPV vaccination was recommended only for adolescents.
I never say that this vaccination is useless for an adult of 26 years old. I mentioned that if you are already sexually active and/or if there was a possibility of HPV infection already, then it will not be use to you. Till starting the sexual activities, HPV vaccine has its benefits in preventing anal and cervical carcinoma or intra-epithelial neoplasm.
Dr S.Murugan
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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