Penis warts are small formations found on the foreskin, frenulum, glans or shaft of the penis. These are also called genital warts. It provokes the pathology of the papilloma virus of certain strains that are prone to recurrent symptoms and are never completely eliminated from the body.
Causes of warts on the penis in men
Warts are viral growths caused by the human papilloma virus. HPV is a large group of pathogenic microorganisms. There are about 100 strains of this pathogen studied. In addition, these viruses are divided into different categories according to their oncogenicity level.
According to rough estimates, about 90% of the world's population is infected with one or more papilloma viruses. Pathogens live very little in the external environment and die quickly. Most often it is transmitted through sexual contact, less frequently in everyday life or from mother to child. Viral agents are localized in the surface layer of the mucous membrane and in the epidermis.
When it comes to warts on the penis in men, they are caused by strains 6 and 11. These viruses are responsible for genital warts. These are conditionally non-oncogenic species and can cause malignancy of neoplasms quite rarely.
For the virus to enter the body, infected skin or mucous membranes must be in direct contact with healthy skin. This usually occurs during unprotected sex. If there are micro-traumas on the surface of the body - abrasions, cracks, scratches - the risk of infection increases. The virus penetrates these damages particularly easily and quickly.
HPV replication occurs in the deep layers of the skin inside human epidermis cells. As the disease progresses, epithelial cells move upward with viral agents. Thus, the papilloma virus reaches the skin surface and causes a rapid chaotic growth of epidermal cells. This leads to warts on the penis.
A distinctive feature of papilloma virus is that it can remain in a "stationary" state for a long time in the deep layers of the dermis. Various factors can trigger its progression. For example, weakening of the immune system, hypothermia, antibiotic use, stress, overwork, malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance, and more.
However, even when the virus is latent, a person is potentially dangerous in terms of the transmission of HPV to partners. Knowing the causes of warts on the penis, we can conclude that these formations can occur both in adolescents who are just beginning to have sex and in the elderly.
Symptoms and types of warts on the penis
Warts on the penis in most male patients, as a rule, do not manifest themselves at all. Most often, they occur in places prone to injury during intercourse. Therefore, neoplasms can be found on the head, bridle, foreskin. They occur less frequently in the body of the penis and scrotum.
Warts on the penis usually look like small growths of a pinkish, beige, whitish shade 2-30 mm in size. They can be stray single or in groups, forming neoplasms similar to rooster combs.
In the active growth phase, when the immune system fails, warts on the penis can cause itching and burning in the affected area. Also, sometimes neoplasms are palpable during intercourse. In the normal state, these growths are painless and do not bring significant discomfort.
Condylomas usually affect large areas rather than a limited area of the genital organs. For this reason, warts on the head of the penis often spread to the groin area and affect the anus.
The types of warts on the penis depend on the type of virus transmitted to the male and where they are located.
Consider the main types:
- In the area of the foreskin, neoplasms appear to be tubercles lighter than the skin. Sometimes they have thin legs. Initially, single warts appear, over time groups of genital warts may form. On the
- frenum, warts look like small whitish bumps in a chaotic sequence.
- Warts on the head of the penis look like pale pink finger-like bumps. Usually they form clusters similar to broccoli bunches.
- Giant Buschke-Levenschein tumors can sometimes occur on the body of the penis. It is several warts that grow together. This is a rare but dangerous pathology fraught with malignant transformation, as the cells of the neoplasm are prone to rapid mutation.
If suspicious growths are found on the penis, a man should consult a specialist immediately. The urologist examines and discusses the patient. In addition to the penis, the urologist should examine the scrotum, perianal area, and groin. Visual examination is usually sufficient to make a diagnosis. In some cases, the doctor may refer the man for additional tests.
In order to determine the pathogen strain and carcinogenicity risk, the patient must donate blood for a PCR test. Also, if the frenum is damaged, a meatoscopy procedure may be required to determine the presence of warts in the urethra.
It should be kept in mind that warts on the head of the penis and scrotum can look like neoplasms of different structures. For example, papullosis in the second stage of syphilis is also characterized by the appearance of small neoplasms. To exclude other sexually transmitted diseases, it also needs to be tested for common sexual infections - syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, etc.
The danger of warts on the penis in men
Initially warts on the penis represent an aesthetic defect rather than a serious pathology that threatens a man's health. However, that doesn't mean they don't need to be treated. If you let the disease run its course, it could lead to more serious problems in the future.
The danger of these neoplasms is as follows:
- Phimosis development.In this case, the foreskin joins the head of the penis. For this reason, problems may arise with normal ejaculation of sperm, pathogens may accumulate in the space under the foreskin, and inflammatory processes may occur.
- Inflammation of the head, body of the penis. This pathology is a complication of the condition described above when bacteria penetrate and spread further under the foreskin.
- Erosions in genitals.Often they develop as a result of systematic wart injury on the penis. This happens during intercourse, when shaving, while wearing tight underwear.
- The transformation of neoplasms into cancerous tumors.This is rare, but there is a potential danger, especially if warts on the penis are often damaged.
Also be aware that active neoplasms are dangerous for infected partners. Moreover, even condoms cannot always protect a person from infection.
Treatment methods for penis warts
The treatment of this pathology must be complex and combined, as the appearance of warts on the penis is directly related to a general decrease in immunity. Basically, various destruction methods are used in relation to neoplasms. Medications are used to boost immunity and suppress the virus.
Ways to remove warts on the penis
Instrumental and chemical exposure methods are used to eliminate warts on the penis. It is worth remembering that these growths in themselves are extremely rare, and therefore, if a man tries to minimize the risk of complications, they will have to be removed.
There are several ways to get rid of warts on the penis:
- Laser destruction. The laser beam evaporates the accumulated liquid, dries, becomes covered with a crust and falls off after a few days. As a rule, there are no scars left in the treatment area. The procedure is painless and rarely causes recurrences and complications.
- Cryo removal.Liquid nitrogen, which has a low temperature, is applied pointwise to the neoplasm causing it to freeze and then die. After the procedure, a crust is formed at the accumulation site, which disappears after a few days along with the rest of the formation.
- Radiosurgical removal.Neoplasm is affected by radio waves that destroy accumulated tissue. This is one of the most accurate, effective and safe ways to remove warts on the penis. After the radio wave is removed, there is no scar on the skin.
- Electrocoagulation.At a certain frequency, a current is applied to the electrode that distorts the formation. This procedure to remove warts on the penis can cause burns and subsequent scars. Therefore it is prescribed with caution.
- Surgical excision.If the wart on the penis is too large, the scalpel cutting technique can be used in extreme cases. However, they rarely resort to such an operation because of the risk of severe bleeding and infection spreading. Also, a complete circular excision of the foreskin is indicated for common wart lesions.
The doctor may also order a chemical cleanup. The procedure is carried out using cauterizing drugs.
Medicines for penis warts
In order to eliminate the risk of recurrence of warts on the head of the penis or other parts of the genitals, it is necessary to take care to increase immunity as well as suppress the virus in the body. For this purpose, various groups of drugs are used - antiviral and immunomodulatory.
Also with HPV, it is important to stimulate the body's defenses that are in a depressed state for some reason. Immunity will actively fight the pathogen and reduce the risk of recurrence of warts on the penis.
Folk remedies for warts on the penis
If you are thinking about how to treat penis warts, help can be found in traditional medicine. However, remember that you should only use these techniques after consulting your doctor. Self-medication can be at least in vain and, in the worst case, lead to serious complications.
The following tools are popular:
- Tea tree oil.Powerful herbal antiviral agent that helps suppress pathogen activity. It is necessary to apply the substance to the warts on the head of the penis several times a day until the growth is completely eliminated.
- Propolis.Another natural remedy that helps cope with viruses. Apply the substance to the growths before going to bed every day for 10-14 days to remove warts on the penis.
- Egg white.It is necessary to take crude protein and lubricate the neoplasm with it several times a day.
- Table vinegar.Acid actively erodes pathological tissues, so you need to be careful with it so as not to damage neighboring healthy areas. You need to lubricate carefully and point by point.
- Rowan juice.Acidic substance, contains phytoncides with antiviral effects. Lubricate with freshly squeezed liquid warts on the penis every day.
The above recipes are only suitable if you are sure 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 penile warts significantly reduces the risk of future complications and recurrence. It is also a way to avoid transmitting the virus to your sexual partner.
AlthoughOne of the most effective prevention methods is vaccination with special multivalent vaccines. They act against pathogens of types 6, 11, 16 and 18 - precisely those that cause genital warts to appear.
Condoms cannot guarantee 100% protection against HPV, they should be used because it reduces the risk of infection by 20-30%. It protects against other sexually transmitted infections, including
If a man is already infected with HPV, it is necessary to follow a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of warts on the penis. It is important to suppress exacerbations of chronic conditions in a timely manner, eat right, do physical activity, and maintain immunity in a "ready for battle" state.