[Question #13905] Hand Masturbation

1 months ago

Dear Dr. Hunter,

I previously asked you about HPV and had been free of worry for a year. Four days ago, an unknown woman gave me a short handjob at my club (no genital contact or penetration). Duration was ~40–60 seconds. My penis had slight scratches/redness from her long fake nails; no other symptoms, and I had showered beforehand. My questions: 1) Is there any risk of HPV transmission from this? 2) Would the risk increase if her hand contacted someone else before or she didn’t wash her hands? 3) Does the slight scratch increase risk?

Thank you for your advice.

1 months ago

I don’t know if she had any cuts on her hands, and I don’t know if her skin was healthy. Could HPV be transmitted this way? I’m very anxious.

1 months ago

I had overcome my anxiety about a past sexual experience thanks to your help. Your support truly meant a lot to me. I apologize for my behavior during that time.

In addition, 4 days ago I received manual stimulation from a woman I didn’t know. Because of this, I don’t want to fall back into my old state. I lived with anxiety for 2 years, and the thought of going through the same process again scares me.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 months ago

Welcome back, but I'm sorry you found it necessary. I was able to view three of your previous several questions and I'm glad to hear your have been free of worry about HPV for the past year. That's very good news.

Your recent new sexual exposures should not start you worrying against about HPV. The virus is rarely transmitted (if ever) by hand-genital contact, even if genital fluids are used for lubrication; and regardless of a partner's recent sexual contact with other persons. Whether or not either partner had cuts o her hands makes no difference and neither does a scratch of your penis.

So do your best to relax and not worry again about HPV. There definitely was no risk at all from these new events.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

---

1 months ago

Thank you for your reply. Honestly, I don’t want to research on the internet because some doctors say HPV can be transmitted by hand, and this makes me anxious.
The word “rarely” also confuses me. Does it mean it can actually happen? Because this word makes me worried.

1 months ago

In your career, have you ever seen HPV or herpes virus transmitted from the hand to the genitals?

Have you ever heard of anyone contracting a sexually transmitted infection as a result of sexual stimulation with the hand?

1 months ago

According to what I read on the internet, if the HPV virus touches a human hand, its DNA can remain on it. After reading this, I decided to talk to you and stopped researching on the internet.

1 months ago

Right now, I’m avoiding sexual intercourse with my wife because I might have HPV. The hand masturbation I received was also very short, lasting about 40 seconds to 1 minute.

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 months ago

Most of these additional questions are repetitive and they were answered directly -- or the answers are obvious -- from my initial reply. I explained "rarely" by adding "if ever": there are no known cases of hand to genital transmission of HPV, but scientifically it is not possible to say for sure it never happens. "Rarely" is intended to be reassuring, not alarming. No, I've never seen nor heard of such a case. That HPV DNA can be detected on the hands (typically under the fingernails) of HPV infected persons does not necessarily mean it can be transmitted by hand contact.

Not having sex with your wife because of your HPV fears is an unwarranted and irrational overreaction. Stop overthinking the situation and move on without worries.

---

1 months ago

Thank you very much for your comments, Dr. Hunter.
I know this is my last question, and I also thank you for your help.
Based on your explanation, can I say that I definitely did not get HPV from a 40–60 second hand stimulation?
Is it correct for me to consider this risk as zero?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

1 months ago

There are few absolutes in biology and medicine. Can I give a 100% guarantee? Of course not. But since there has never been a known case, do you really fear you would be the world's first?????? The probability you were infected is under one chance in millions. Therefore, yes "it is correct for [you] to consider this risk as zero."

That completes the two follow-up comments and replies included with each question and so ends this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.

Also note the forum policy against repeated questions on the same topic. Your several questions over a few years all addressed the same thing -- you irrational fears of HPV and worries about it with exposures that carry little or no risk. This one is your last. (Minor changes in circumstances -- like a different exposure of the same sort -- will not count as new topics. Repetitive questions may be deleted without reply and without refund of the posting fee. The forum sponsor doesn't want repeated payment for questions already answered (or whose answers are obvious from previous discussions) and repeated answers tend to prolong rather than relieve anxiety. In addition, such questions have reduced educational value for other users, one of the forum's goals. Thank you for your understanding.

I do hope the discussions you have had have been helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.

---
---