• Infections

Hepatitis B Symptoms in Men

Medically reviewed and edited by Dr. Anthony Puopolo

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). There is currently no cure for the virus, but a hepatitis B vaccine can prevent transmission.

Hepatitis B is considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but it can also be spread via blood or from mother to child during birth.

While hepatitis is not necessarily a fatal condition, life-threatening complications can arise. It is estimated that 820,000 deaths in the U.S. occur each year due to hepatitis B.

What Causes Hepatitis B in Men?

The cause of the disease is the same for both men and women; however, the risk profile is different.

In the U.S., estimates show that nearly 2% more men are infected with hepatitis B than women.

Data obtained by the CDC shows that the population of women vaccinated for hepatitis B is higher than the population of men — this may explain why more men than women are affected by the disease.

What Happens When Men are Infected with Hepatitis B?

In the case of men, the disease tends to follow a different course compared to women.

Initially, when a man is infected with hepatitis B, an acute infection — which is short-term hepatitis B — develops.

The early signs of the disease may appear during acute infection, but this stage is typically mild or symptom-free and may resolve without any complications. After recovering, you’ll be immune to subsequent infections.

If you do not recover within six months, chronic hepatitis B occurs. This is when the disease lingers indefinitely, leading to potentially serious complications such as liver cirrhosis (scarring), liver failure, or cancer.

Men are about six times more likely to develop chronic hepatitis B than women.

What are the Symptoms of Hepatitis B in Men?

Men infected with hepatitis B may experience symptoms, but it is possible for men to be asymptomatic.

According to the CDC, symptoms may appear within 90 days of the initial infection and can last several weeks or months. Acute hepatitis B is also more likely to cause symptoms than chronic hepatitis B.

Here are some common symptoms men with hepatitis B may experience:

• Fever, muscle aches, nausea, and other flu-like symptoms

• Vomiting

• Appetite loss

• Fatigue

• Jaundice — yellow discoloration of the eyes and skin

• Itching (also known as pruritus)

• Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen

• Dark urine — this may resemble cola or black tea

• Pale gray stools

The symptoms below are serious and indicate an advanced stage of hepatitis B:

• Excessive bleeding

• Confusion

• Body swelling or fluid retention

If any of the afore-mentioned symptoms occur, the person is said to have liver failure or cirrhosis, as these symptoms only occur if the liver is not functioning properly. When the liver doesn’t filter toxins from the body efficiently, it can’t produce the necessary clotting factors.

What are the Complications of Hepatitis B in Men?

Hepatitis B can have many complications in men and women. As mentioned before, one may develop liver cirrhosis, liver failure, or cancer.

There are, however, some key differences between the complications experienced by men and women with advanced stages of hepatitis B.

Feminization

The liver is responsible for regulating hormones in the body. This includes estrogen (one of the female hormones).

When liver disease occurs — especially cirrhosis or failure — the liver is less likely to be able to remove estrogen in males.

This causes an imbalance between testosterone (the male hormone) and estrogen, which can result in a condition known as feminization. The imbalance is worsened by the decreased secretion of testosterone in cirrhotic patients.

Feminization means that males may develop characteristics similar to that of a typical female, including enlarged breasts (called gynecomastia), decreased hair growth, and lower muscle and bone density.

Infertility

Decreased libido and infertility have been linked to liver damage in men.

A 2014 study showed that men with advanced liver disease and lower testosterone levels may have an increased risk of dying, independent of all other risk factors.

It is important to note that current evidence is not conclusive regarding whether testosterone supplementation actually improves health outcomes in males with advanced liver disease and low testosterone.

Where Can I Learn More About Hepatitis B?

Have you or your partner been exposed to hepatitis B? Do you have questions you need to discuss with a doctor? LifeMD can help.

Whether you need to do a hepatitis B test, you’re seeking treatment, or you’d like to get vaccinated, book a telehealth appointment today.

Dr. Anthony Puopolo

Dr. Puopolo holds a B.A. in Biology from Tufts University, M.A. in Biology from Boston University, and Doctor of Medicine from the Boston University School of Medicine. He also completed a Family Medicine and Psychiatry residency program in the U.S. Army.

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