Dear a3b2c1,

A recent study just came out that shows that young men can benefit from taking the HPV vaccine. Guys can get the HPV — the human papilloma virus — vaccine, but the cost may not be covered by insurance.

The recently approved HPV vaccine is recommended for all young women between nine and 26 years old, and the cost will be covered by insurance. Talk to your health care provider about whether you can get the HPV vaccine and if so, how much it will cost.

HPV is a very common sexually transmitted infection that affects millions of women and men around the world. The HPV vaccine protects against two types of HPV that cause genital warts and two types of HPV that cause about 70 percent of cervical cancer cases, as well as cancers of the vulva, penis, and anus. Men who get the vaccine will be at reduced risk of genital warts and cancers of the penis and anus, and they will be less likely to transmit dangerous types of HPV to their partners.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.