• Dr. Dinesh Kumar
  • March 28, 2026

Gardasil 9 for Men: Why the HPV Vaccine Is Not Just for Women

🛡
Men’s Health · Vaccination · Rawang Selangor

Most Malaysian men walk into a clinic asking about genital warts and leave without knowing they could have been protected years ago. Here is what HPV actually does to men — and why vaccination still makes sense at any age.

DK
Dr. Dinesh Kumar · LCP-Certified Physician
March 2026 8 min read Vivardi Clinics, Rawang

In Malaysia, HPV vaccination has largely been promoted as a programme for schoolgirls. The result: most adult men have never been offered the vaccine, never thought to ask for it, and remain completely unprotected against a virus that causes genital warts, penile cancer, anal cancer, and throat cancer in men.

Gardasil 9 — the only HPV vaccine currently in widespread clinical use — is licensed for both males and females. Yet the conversation in most Malaysian clinics still skips the male patient entirely. This article explains the science behind HPV in men, who should be vaccinated, and what Gardasil 9 actually protects against.

9
HPV strains covered by Gardasil 9
90%
Of genital wart cases caused by HPV 6 & 11
45
Max age for Gardasil 9 in men (licensed)

What Is HPV and Why Does It Affect Men?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. It is so prevalent that most sexually active adults will be infected at some point in their lives — the majority without ever knowing it, because the infection clears on its own with no symptoms.

The problem is that some strains do not clear. They persist, and over time they can trigger abnormal cell changes that lead to cancer. And while cervical cancer gets the most attention, HPV affects both sexes equally in terms of exposure. The difference is that men have fewer detectable screening tests available compared to women, which makes vaccination the primary line of defence.

Clinical Note

HPV is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity — it does not require penetration. Condoms reduce transmission risk but do not eliminate it, because HPV can be present on skin areas not covered by a condom.

What HPV Strains Does Gardasil 9 Cover?

Gardasil 9 protects against nine HPV strains divided into two functional categories: those that cause genital warts (low-risk types) and those that cause cancers (high-risk types).

HPV Types Risk Category What It Causes in Men Covered by G9?
6, 11 Low Risk Genital warts (condyloma acuminata), laryngeal papillomas ✓ Yes
16, 18 High Risk Penile cancer, anal cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, rectal cancer ✓ Yes
31, 33, 45, 52, 58 High Risk Additional anal, penile, and head/neck cancer strains ✓ Yes
Other HPV types (40+) Variable Generally lower risk; may cause minor lesions ✗ Not covered

HPV types 16 and 18 together account for the majority of HPV-related cancers in men. Type 16 in particular is the dominant strain in oropharyngeal (throat) cancer, a cancer that has been increasing steadily in prevalence over the past two decades in countries with high HPV rates.

HPV-Related Cancers in Men: What Are the Real Risks?

Men can develop HPV-related cancers in several anatomical sites. Unlike cervical cancer, there is no equivalent routine screening programme for these in men, which means they are often caught later. Understanding the cancer burden is important for appreciating why prevention matters.

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Oropharyngeal Cancer (Throat, Tonsils, Base of Tongue)
HPV-related throat cancer is now the most common HPV cancer in men, overtaking anal cancer in many countries. It occurs in the back of the throat, tonsils, and base of tongue. HPV type 16 is responsible for approximately 70% of oropharyngeal cancers. Men are 3-4 times more likely to develop this than women.
HPV 16 dominant · No screening test available for men
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Anal Cancer
HPV causes over 90% of anal cancers. Rates are particularly elevated in men who have sex with men, and in immunocompromised individuals. Anal cancer is often mistaken for haemorrhoids, leading to delays in diagnosis. HPV types 16 and 18 are the primary causative strains.
HPV 16 & 18 · Often diagnosed late
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Penile Cancer
Approximately 50% of penile cancers are attributable to HPV. While relatively rare in absolute numbers, penile cancer carries significant physical and psychological impact. It typically presents as a lesion or ulcer on the penis that does not heal. HPV 16 and 18 are the most implicated strains.
~50% HPV attributable · Can mimic benign conditions
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Genital Warts (Condyloma Acuminata)
While not cancerous, genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11 are highly contagious, recurrent, and distressing. They appear as soft, flesh-coloured growths on or around the genitals and anus. Treatment requires clinical removal — they do not resolve with topical medication alone in most cases — and they have a high recurrence rate even after treatment.
HPV 6 & 11 · Highly recurrent without vaccination

There is no routine HPV screening test for men equivalent to the Pap smear for women. For men, vaccination is the most effective protection we currently have.

Dr. Dinesh Kumar, LCP-Certified Physician · Vivardi Clinics Rawang

Myths vs. Facts: HPV Vaccination for Men in Malaysia

✗  Common Myths
HPV only causes cervical cancer — it doesn’t affect men
The vaccine is only for women and girls
If you’re already sexually active, it’s too late to vaccinate
Gardasil 9 contains live virus and can give you HPV
Condoms fully protect against HPV — vaccine is unnecessary
One sexual partner means no HPV risk
✓  Clinical Facts
HPV causes genital warts, penile, anal and throat cancers in men
Gardasil 9 is licensed and recommended for males aged 9–45
Vaccination still provides meaningful protection in adults up to age 45
Gardasil 9 is a non-live recombinant vaccine — it cannot cause HPV
Condoms reduce but do not eliminate HPV risk — skin contact is sufficient for transmission
HPV can be acquired from any sexual contact regardless of number of partners

Who Should Get the HPV Vaccine?

Gardasil 9 is licensed for males aged 9 to 45 years. Eligibility and the number of doses required depend on age at first vaccination.

Ideal Window
9–14
2 Doses Only
Highest immune response. Doses 0 and 6–12 months. Most cost-effective timing. Recommend before any sexual activity.
Recommended
15–26
3 Doses
Strong immune response. Doses at 0, 2 and 6 months. Still highly effective even if sexually active. Catch-up vaccination for those who missed earlier.
Still Beneficial
27–45
3 Doses
Benefit depends on prior HPV exposure. Not all strains may be covered. Discuss with your doctor — partial protection against unencountered strains is still clinically meaningful.
Important

Being sexually active does not mean vaccination is pointless. HPV encompasses multiple strains, and even if you have been exposed to one, you are unlikely to have encountered all nine strains covered by Gardasil 9. Vaccination protects against those you have not yet encountered.

The Vaccination Schedule for Men

The number of doses and timing depend on the age at which vaccination begins:

D1
First
Day 0 — First Dose
Initial injection, typically in the upper arm (deltoid). Consultation to assess eligibility, review medical history and confirm no contraindications. Valid for all age groups.
D2
Second
Month 2 — Second Dose (ages 15+) · Month 6–12 (ages 9–14)
For patients aged 9–14 starting before age 15: second dose given 6 to 12 months after first. For patients aged 15 and above: second dose at 2 months. Younger patients on the 2-dose schedule are complete after this dose.
D3
Third
Month 6 — Third Dose (ages 15+ only)
Final dose at 6 months from the first injection. Required only for males who received their first dose at age 15 or older. After this dose, the primary vaccination course is complete. No booster doses are currently required.

Is Gardasil 9 Safe for Men?

Gardasil 9 is one of the most extensively studied vaccines in history, with over 500 million doses administered worldwide across male and female populations. It does not contain live virus — it uses virus-like particles (VLPs) that stimulate an immune response without the ability to cause infection.

Side effects are generally mild and short-lived:

Common (occur frequently, resolve within 1–2 days)
Injection site pain or soreness
Mild swelling or redness at injection site
Brief headache
Low-grade fever (mild and transient)
Fatigue on the day of vaccination
Rare (uncommon, discuss with your doctor)
Vasovagal syncope (fainting) — sit for 15 min post-injection
Allergic reaction (extremely rare — carry out in a medical setting)
Severe local reaction at injection site
Safety Note

Gardasil 9 should not be given to individuals with a known allergy to yeast or any vaccine component. It is not recommended during pregnancy. If you have had a previous serious reaction to any HPV vaccine, inform your doctor before proceeding.

Does the HPV Vaccine Treat Existing HPV or Warts?

This is one of the most important points to clarify: Gardasil 9 is a preventive vaccine, not a therapeutic one. It does not treat or clear existing HPV infections. It does not cure genital warts that have already appeared, and it does not reverse any cellular changes caused by a pre-existing HPV infection.

What it does is protect against future infection with the strains it covers. This is why vaccination earlier in life produces greater benefit — there is simply more future exposure to protect against. But even in older adults, protection against unencountered strains is clinically meaningful, particularly for the cancer-causing high-risk types.

If You Have Current Genital Warts

Existing genital warts require clinical treatment — options include topical agents, electrocautery, cryotherapy or surgical removal. Gardasil 9 vaccination is still recommended after treatment to reduce risk of recurrence from other HPV strains and to protect future partners. Treatment and vaccination work together, not in place of each other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can men get the HPV vaccine in Malaysia? +
Yes. Gardasil 9 is approved and recommended for males in Malaysia, licensed for use in males aged 9 to 45 years. HPV vaccination is not part of the national school programme for boys, so it must be obtained privately through a clinic or doctor. Both the vaccine and the consultation are available at Vivardi Clinics in Rawang.
I am 35 years old and have never been vaccinated. Is it still worth getting Gardasil 9? +
Yes, for most men aged 27 to 45 there is still clinical benefit. While some HPV exposure is likely to have occurred, it is improbable that you have encountered all nine strains covered by the vaccine. Protection against the strains you have not yet been exposed to — including the high-risk cancer-causing types — is still valuable. Discuss your individual circumstances with a doctor to make an informed decision.
Does the HPV vaccine protect against all genital warts? +
Gardasil 9 protects against HPV types 6 and 11, which account for approximately 90% of all genital wart cases. It does not protect against HPV types not included in the vaccine, which account for the remaining minority of wart-causing strains. In practice, this means the vaccine prevents the overwhelming majority of genital wart infections when given before exposure.
How many doses do adult men need? +
Men aged 15 and above require 3 doses: the first dose, the second dose 2 months later, and the third dose 6 months after the first. Boys aged 9 to 14 who begin the series before age 15 only need 2 doses. The schedule is the same for all adult males regardless of sexual history.
Can I get the HPV vaccine and other vaccines at the same visit? +
Gardasil 9 can generally be co-administered with other inactivated vaccines at separate injection sites. If you are planning multiple vaccinations, inform your doctor so they can advise on the appropriate schedule. Common co-administrations include Hepatitis B vaccine and Hepatitis A vaccine, which are often recommended together for adult men.
Where can I get Gardasil 9 for men in Rawang or Selangor? +
Gardasil 9 HPV vaccination for men is available at Vivardi Clinics, 63A-1 Jalan Anggun City 2, Taman Anggun, 48000 Rawang, Selangor. Consultations are carried out by Dr. Dinesh Kumar, an LCP-certified physician. The full 3-dose schedule can be planned and managed at the clinic. Contact 011-8888 6503 or WhatsApp to book your first dose.

Why Choose Vivardi Clinics for HPV Vaccination

At Vivardi Clinics in Rawang, Selangor, we offer Gardasil 9 HPV vaccination as part of our broader men’s health and preventive care services. Every vaccination is preceded by a proper clinical consultation — not just an injection without context.

Dr. Dinesh Kumar holds an LCP (Letter of Credentialing and Privileging) certification from the Academy of Medicine Malaysia, confirming standards in aesthetic and medical practice. The clinic also provides comprehensive men’s health services including STD screening, testosterone assessment, erectile health and hair loss treatment, so your vaccination visit can be combined with a broader health check if desired.

Book Your Gardasil 9 · Rawang, Selangor
Protect Yourself Against HPV-Related Cancers and Genital Warts
One consultation. A straightforward 3-dose schedule. Protection against 9 HPV strains including the cancer-causing types 16 and 18. Available now at Vivardi Clinics.
📍 63A-1 Jalan Anggun City 2, Rawang 📞 011-8888 6503 🕐 Mon, Tue, Fri: 10am–7pm · Wed, Thu: 10am–6pm · Sat–Sun: 9am–5pm
WhatsApp to Book View HPV Vaccine Service Page

Medically reviewed by , Medical Director, Vivardi Clinics. MBBS (AIMST), LCP-Certified Aesthetic Physician, Cert. Men’s Health. Last reviewed March 2026.

Care at Vivardi is provided by our team of qualified doctors. This page is for general education and does not replace a personal consultation.

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