A 25-year-old male patient visited the outpatient clinic with his girlfriend of five years. After discussing it together, they decided that he would receive the HPV 9-valent vaccine (Gardasil 9) to help protect his partner as well. Many people believe that the Gardasil 9 vaccine is mainly intended to prevent cervical cancer in women. However, vaccination is also recommended for men because it can help prevent genital warts (condyloma), penile cancer, anal cancer, head and neck cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer. As awareness increases, more men are choosing to receive the Gardasil 9 vaccine. According to data from IQVIA, Gardasil 9 sales in Korea increased significantly, reaching 42.5 billion KRW in 2020, 72.6 billion KRW in 2021, and 117 billion KRW in 2022, with the growing vaccination rate among men contributing to this trend.
Gardasil 9 is a vaccine designed to prevent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a virus that is primarily transmitted through sexual contact. However, transmission can also occur through direct contact with infected skin or mucosal tissue. HPV infection can cause genital warts (condyloma), penile cancer, anal cancer, head and neck cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer in men, while in women it can lead to genital warts and cervical cancer.
Gardasil was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2014 as a recombinant protein vaccine. Recombinant protein vaccines work by introducing a component of the virus’s outer structure into the body. This allows the immune system to recognize the viral structure and build immunity without exposing the body to the actual virus. Because of this mechanism, recombinant protein vaccines generally have fewer side effects compared with vaccines that use other biological mechanisms. In addition, Gardasil 9 has undergone extensive evaluation over many years, further supporting its safety.
Gardasil 9 protects against nine different types of HPV. It targets seven high-risk HPV types (16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58), which are responsible for approximately 80% of cervical cancer cases, as well as two low-risk HPV types (6 and 11) that cause about 90% of genital warts (condyloma). For men, the vaccine provides protection against several HPV-related cancers other than cervical cancer.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV infection is associated with approximately 70% of head and neck cancers and around 40% of penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers. Vaccination with Gardasil 9 can therefore play an important role in preventing these cancers. This is particularly important because oropharyngeal cancer occurs about four times more frequently in men than in women. While women undergo national screening programs that help detect cervical cancer early, there are currently no routine screening programs for men that can reliably detect head and neck or oropharyngeal cancers at an early stage. For this reason, vaccination remains one of the most effective preventive strategies.
Although the recommended vaccination age for Gardasil 9 in men is generally up to 26 years, the vaccine can still provide preventive benefits even after this age. As life expectancy increases, HPV infections may persist longer in the body, which can increase the risk of HPV-related cancers over time. Therefore, vaccination can still be beneficial for men in their 30s and beyond.
Even for patients who have already developed genital warts, receiving the Gardasil vaccine is recommended because it can help prevent infection with other HPV types. In addition, vaccination can help protect the health of a partner or spouse. Increasing vaccination rates across the population is also important for reducing the overall burden of HPV-related diseases, including cervical cancer.
As men enter middle age and beyond, urologic conditions become increasingly common. By providing useful information about urinary and reproductive health conditions that interfere with daily life, the goal is to help individuals maintain a healthier and more comfortable quality of life.