HPV vaccine for men

[thomasj368]

I've read that the FDA recently approved Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, for men. However, I was recently tested for STDs (clean) and at the time my doctor never brought this up. Why?

I understand that HPV doesn't pose as serious a risk for men as for women, but it would still make sense to vaccinate men so they are less likely to pass the disease onto women.

Plus, who wants genital warts?

Anyone know why vaccination is not widely recommended for men?

[gracefromHHP]

Many providers are also very uncomfortable offering their patients gardasil, especially their male patients.   You can't "sell" it as a cervical cancer preventative vaccine to males so you  have to discuss genital warts which implies that you think that someone is high risk for std's and you have to discuss anal cancer prevention which implies that you think that male engages in gay sex.  there are just as many cases of anal cancer each year as cervical cancer both in males, females, gays and heterosexuals so it is a worthwhile vaccine.  You also don't have to engage in anal sex to get hpv anally.  

[JessyJames2010]

I was about to post .. but decided to delet it, that after you ask for a vaccine and after them saying great, their next question/thought will be, "does your insurance cover it?"  

lousy medical system. .. grrr.

YES, seriously everyoe, you really need to look out for your own health when visiting a doctor.   Doctors are nothing like mechanics where the mechanic will try to sell you everything and say, "you need to be running 100%"  Doctors aren't like this at all.

[gracefromHHP]

you need to also check with your insurance to see if they are covering gardasil for males.  Many insurances are not. You should be able to get the series of shots through your local health department though - give them a call and ask if your insurance isn't covering it.

Many providers don't talk about optional vaccines for their patients. In this day and age of 7 minute appointments, you really need to look out for your own health unfortunately.  

grace

[JessyJames2010]

Also doctors have way too much on their mind to cover EVERY detail...

I've never been recommended by my doctors to get vaccinated for anything....
There's hep B, hep A, other non STD related vaccines,  now HPV for men, .  

Really its on you to go and say, "I want to get vaccinated for ____."  
They'll say, great.

[JessyJames2010]

Unlike the show House, doctors aren't heros.  And don't know everything, and aren't updated as quickly as you'd think.  I mean some are and some aren't.  
I learned the other day there was a Vaccine for Hep A.  (why? because I didn't read up or whatever)

This vaccination news will catch on and will probably begin to become recommended.