Warts on the penis are small growths found in the foreskin, frenulum, glans or on the shaft of the penis.They are also called genital warts.The pathology is caused by papillomavirus of some strains, which are subject to recurrent manifestations and are never completely eliminated from the body.
Reasons for the formation of warts on the penis in men
Warts are viral growths caused by the human papillomavirus.HPV is a large group of pathogenic microorganisms.There are approximately 100 studied strains of this pathogen.These viruses are also divided into different categories based on their level of oncogenicity.
According to rough estimates, about 90% of the world's population is infected with one or another type of papillomavirus.Pathogens live very little in the external environment and die quickly.Most often it is transmitted through sexual contact, less often in everyday life or from mother to child.Viral agents are localized in the superficial layer of the mucous membranes and epidermis.
As for warts on the penis in men, they are caused by strains 6 and 11. These viruses are responsible for the appearance of genital warts.These are conditionally non-oncogenic types, which quite rarely can cause malignant neoplasms.
In order for the virus to enter the body, direct contact of the infected skin or mucosa with healthy skin is necessary.This usually occurs during unprotected sexual intercourse.The risk of infection increases if there are microtraumas on the surface of the body: abrasions, cracks, scratches.The virus penetrates these lesions particularly easily and quickly.
HPV multiplies in the deep layers of the skin within human epidermal cells.As the disease progresses, epithelial cells move up along with the viral agents.This is how the papillomavirus reaches the surface of the skin and causes rapid chaotic growth of epidermal cells.This leads to the formation of warts on the penis.
A distinctive feature of the papillomavirus is that it can remain dormant for a long time in the deep layers of the dermis.Various factors can cause its progression.For example, weakened immunity, hypothermia, taking antibiotics, stress, overwork, poor nutrition, vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance, etc.
However, even when the virus is in latent form, a person is potentially dangerous in terms of transmitting HPV to partners.Knowing the causes of warts on the penis, we can conclude that these formations can appear both in adolescents who have recently started sexual activity, and in older people.
Symptoms and types of warts on the penis
In most male patients, warts on the penis, as a rule, do not manifest themselves in any way.Most often they form in places prone to injury during intercourse.Therefore, neoplasms can be found on the head, frenulum and foreskin.Less commonly, they appear on the shaft of the penis, scrotum, and testicles.
Warts on the penis usually look like small pinkish, beige, whitish growths, 2-30 mm in size.They can be single or clustered in groups, forming roosters' comb-like neoplasms.
In the active growth phase, when the immune system is not functioning properly, warts on the penis can cause itching and burning in the affected area.In addition, neoplasms are sometimes noticed during sexual intercourse.Under normal conditions, these growths are painless and do not cause significant discomfort.
Often warts do not affect a limited area of the genital organs, but large areas.Therefore, warts on the head of the penis often gradually spread throughout the groin area, affecting the anus area.
The type of warts on the penis depends on the strain of the virus infecting the man and their location.
Let's take a look at their main types:
- In the area of the foreskin, tumors appear as tubercles that are lighter in color than the skin.Sometimes they have a thin stem.Single warts initially appear;over time, groups of warts can form.
- On the frenulum, warts appear as small whitish nodules with a chaotic arrangement.
- Warts on the head of the penis look like pale pink, finger-like projections.They usually form clumps similar to broccoli florets.
- Giant Buschke-Levenschein tumors can sometimes form on the shaft of the penis.They are several warts fused together.This is a rare but dangerous pathology, fraught with malignant degeneration, since neoplastic cells are subject to rapid mutations.
If suspicious growths are detected on the penis, a man should immediately contact a specialist.The urologist examines and interviews the patient.In addition to the penis, the urologist should examine the scrotum, perianal area and groin.A visual examination is usually sufficient to make a diagnosis.In some cases, the doctor may subject the man to further tests.
To identify the pathogenic strain and the risk of oncogenicity, the patient must donate blood for a PCR test.Additionally, if the frenulum is affected, a meatoscopy procedure may be needed to determine the presence of warts in the urethra.
It should be remembered that warts on the head of the penis and scrotum can be similar to neoplasms of a different nature.For example, papulosis in the second stage of syphilis is also characterized by the appearance of small tumors.To rule out other sexually transmitted diseases, you should also get tested for common sexually transmitted infections: syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, etc.
The danger of warts on the penis in men
Initially, warts on the penis are more of a cosmetic defect than a serious pathology that puts a man's health at risk.However, this does not mean that they should not be treated.If the disease is left to chance, it can lead to more serious problems in the future.
The danger of these neoplasms is as follows:
- Development of phimosis.In this condition, the foreskin fuses with the head of the penis.Because of this, problems may arise with the normal discharge of sperm, pathogenic microorganisms accumulate in the space under the foreskin, and inflammatory processes may occur.
- Inflammation of the head and shaft of the penis.This pathology is a complication of the condition described above, when bacteria penetrate under the foreskin and spread further.
- The appearance of erosions on the genitals.Most often they develop as a result of systematic trauma to warts on the penis.This occurs during sexual intercourse, shaving, and wearing tight underwear.
- Degeneration of neoplasms into cancerous tumors.This happens quite rarely, but there is a potential danger, especially if the warts on the penis are often damaged.
Also, do not forget that active tumors are dangerous from the point of view of infection of partners.In addition, even condoms are not always able to protect a person from infections.
Methods of treatment for warts on the penis
Since the appearance of warts on the penis is directly related to a general decrease in immunity, the treatment of this pathology should be comprehensive and combined.Basically, various methods of destruction are used in relation to neoplasms.The drugs are used to strengthen immunity and suppress the virus.
Methods for removing warts on the penis
Instrumental and chemical methods are used to remove warts on the penis.It is worth remembering that these growths on their own rarely disappear, and therefore they will need to be removed if a man tries to minimize the risk of complications.
There are several ways to get rid of warts on the penis:
- Laser destruction.The laser beam evaporates the growth fluid, which dries out, becomes encrusted and falls off after a few days.As a rule, no traces remain at the treatment site.The procedure is painless and rarely leads to relapses or complications.
- Cryoremoval.Liquid nitrogen, which has a low temperature, is applied promptly to the new growth and causes it to freeze and subsequently die.After treatment, a scab forms at the growth site, which also falls off after a few days along with the rest of the formation.
- Radiosurgical removal.The tumor is exposed to radio waves, which destroy the growing tissue.This is one of the most accurate, effective and safe ways to remove warts on the penis.After removal of the radio waves no traces remain on the skin.
- Electrocoagulation.At a certain frequency, a current is supplied to the electrode which destroys the formation.This procedure to remove warts on the penis can cause burns and subsequently scarring.Therefore, it is prescribed with caution.
- Surgical excision.If the wart on the penis is too large, in extreme cases you can use the technique of cutting it with a scalpel.But such an operation is used very rarely, since there is a risk of severe bleeding and the spread of infection.Furthermore, complete circular excision of the foreskin is indicated in case of extensive damage to the wart.
Your doctor may also prescribe chemical removal.The procedure is performed using medical cauterizing agents.
Before treating warts on the penis with chemicals, you should definitely consult a doctor, as these products have a number of contraindications, and their improper use can lead to complications.
Medicines for warts on the penis
To eliminate the risk of reappearance of warts on the head of the penis or other parts of the genitals, care must be taken to increase immunity and also to suppress the virus in the body.For this purpose, various groups of drugs are used: antivirals and immunomodulators.
Furthermore, with HPV it is important to stimulate the body's defenses, which for some reason are suppressed.The immune system will actively fight the pathogen and reduce the risk of reappearance of warts on the penis.
It should be understood that drug therapy is not able to completely solve the problem of warts on the penis.To get rid of them you need to resort to instrumental methods of eliminating growths.
Folk remedies against warts on the penis
If you are thinking about how to treat warts on the penis, then you can find help in traditional medicine.However, remember that you should resort to such methods only after consulting a doctor.Self-medication can be, at the very least, futile and, at worst, lead to serious complications.
The following tools are popular:
- Tea tree oil.A powerful herbal antiviral agent that helps suppress the activity of the pathogen.The substance should be rubbed into the warts on the head of the penis several times a day, every day until the growth is completely eliminated.
- Propolis.Another natural medicine that helps to cope with viruses.To remove warts on the penis, apply the substance to the growths before bed every day for 10-14 days.
- Egg white.You need to take raw protein and lubricate the tumor with it several times a day.
- Table vinegar.Acid actively corrodes pathological tissues and therefore care must be taken not to damage nearby healthy areas.It is necessary to lubricate carefully and precisely.
- Rowan juice.The acidic substance contains phytoncides that have an antiviral effect.Warts on the penis should be lubricated every day with freshly squeezed liquid.
The above recipes are suitable only if you know for sure that you are dealing with HPV and the neoplasm is small and single.Otherwise, you cannot do without special therapy.
Prevention of warts on the penis
Timely treatment of warts on the penis significantly reduces the risk of complications and relapses in the future.It is also a way to avoid transmitting the virus to your sexual partner.
One of the most effective prevention methods is vaccination with special multipurpose vaccinations.They act against type 6, 11, 16 and 18 pathogens, the very ones that cause the appearance of genital warts.
Although condoms cannot guarantee 100% protection against HPV, they should be used as they reduce the risk of infection by 20-30%.Additionally, it protects against other sexually transmitted infections.
If a man is already infected with HPV, it is necessary to adhere to the rules of a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of warts on the penis.It is important to timely suppress exacerbations of chronic ailments, eat well, be physically active and maintain the immune system in a “battle-ready” state.
If you are thinking about how to remove warts from your penis, consult a doctor immediately.Self-medication in this case can only cause harm.The procedure to remove tumors is quick and virtually painless.Furthermore, it is important to strengthen the protective functions of the body to avoid relapses in the future.