Context: The human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a major global health burden, playing a part in diseases ranging from genital warts to malignancies such as penile cancer in men and cervical cancer in women. Objective: To explore the molecular biology and epidemiology of HPV infection; the diseases linked to it; and current prevention strategies, including the potential role of vaccination. Evidence acquisition: The relevant papers, reviews, and guidelines pertaining to the topics were collected for the purpose of this review from PubMed and online guidelines resources including the European Association of Urology and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Evidence synthesis: The current knowledge on genital HPV in men is explained and summarised. Conclusions: There is an urgent need for more data on the incidence and persistence of HPV at the different anatomic sites, the incidence of external genital lesions, and the types of HPV in these lesions. This will allow a more comprehensive understanding of the natural history of HPV infection and its progression to both benign and malignant disease in men and will help formulate the development and implementation of vaccination programs. Patient summary: This review explores the molecular biology and epidemiology of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection; the diseases linked to it; and current prevention strategies, including the potential role of vaccination. There is an urgent need for more data on the incidence and persistence of HPV at the different anatomic sites, the incidence of external genital lesions, and the types of HPV in these lesions. (C) 2016 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.