Warts on the penis: causes, symptoms, treatment

26 November 2020

Penile warts are small growths located in the foreskin, frenum, glans, or shaft of the penis. They are also called genital warts. It stimulates the pathology of the papillomavirus of certain types, which are prone to recurrent manifestations and are never completely removed from the body.

Causes of the formation of warts on the penis in men

Warts are viral growths

caused by the human papillomavirus virus. HPV is a large group of pathogenic microorganisms. About 100 strains of this pathogen are studied. Also, these viruses are divided into different categories according to the level of oncogenicity.

Rough estimates, about 90% of the world's population is infected with some form of papillomavirus virus. Pathogens survive in the external environment and die rapidly. It is often transmitted through sexual contact, as often in everyday life or from mother to child. Viral agents are localized in the surface layer of the mucous membranes and epidermis.

Penile warts in men are caused by strains 6 and 11. These viruses are responsible for genital warts. These are non-oncobic conditional types, and rarely cause malignancy of neoplasms.

In order for the virus to enter the body, it is necessary to make direct contact with the infected skin or mucous membrane with healthy skin. This usually happens during unprotected sex. The risk of infection increases if there are microtraumas on the surface of the body - abrasions, cracks, scratches. The virus exacerbates these damages particularly easily and quickly.

Multiplication of

HPV occurs in the deep layers of the skin inside the cells of the human epidermis. As the disease progresses, epithelial cells move upward with viral agents. Thus the papillomavirus reaches the surface of the skin and stimulates rapid chaotic growth in epidermal cells. This results in the formation of warts on the penis.

A characteristic feature of the papillomavirus virus is that it can remain dormant for long periods in the deep layers of the dermis. Various factors can motivate his progress. For example, weakening of the immune system, hypothermia, taking antibiotics, stress, overwork, malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance, etc.

However, even when the virus is latent, it can be dangerous to transmit HPV to partners. Knowing the causes of warts on the penis, we can conclude that these formations can be seen in teenagers who have recently started having sex and the elderly.

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. They often form in places where they may be injured during intercourse. Thus, neoplasms can be found on the head, frenulum, foreskin. Less commonly, they appear on the trunk of the penis and scrotum, testicles.

Warts on the penis usually look like small growths of pink, beige, whitish shade measuring 2-30 mm. They can be single or stray in groups, forming cockscomb-like neoplasms.

In the active growth phase, when the immune system fails, warts on the penis can cause itching and burning in the affected area. Also, neoplasms sometimes appear during intercourse. In the normal state, these growths are painless and do not cause any significant discomfort.

Condylomas often affect a limited area of the genitals, but not large areas. Thus, often, warts on the head of the penis gradually spread around the groin area, affecting the anus.

The types of warts on the penis depend on the strain of the virus infecting the man, as well as its location.

Let's consider their main types:

In the foreskin zone, the neoplasms have a tuber appearance of a lighter shade than the skin. Sometimes they have a thin leg. Initially, individual warts appear, over time, genital warts groups may develop.
On the frenum, small white nodes with a chaotic arrangement look like warts.
Warts on the head of the penis look like pale pink outbreaks like a finger. They usually form clusters that resemble broccoli inflorescences.
Sometimes Buschke-Levenschein giant tumors can form on the shaft of the penis. They are different warts that have grown together. This is a rare but dangerous pathology that is fraught with malignant transformation, since the cells of the neoplasm are prone to rapid mutation.

If suspicious growth of the penis is found, a man should immediately consult a specialist. The urologist examines and interviews the patient. In addition to the penis, the urologist must examine the scrotum, perianal area, and groin. A visual examination is usually sufficient to make a diagnosis. In some cases, the doctor may refer the man for further tests.

To identify the pathogen strain and the risk of oncogenicity, the patient must donate blood for a PCR test. Also, if the frenum is damaged, a microscopic procedure may be necessary to determine the presence of warts in the urethra.

It should be remembered that warts on the head of the penis and scrotum may look woplass of a different head. For example, papullosis in the second stage of syphilis is characterized by the appearance of small neoplasms. To exclude other sexually transmitted diseases, it is necessary to test for common genital infections - syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, etc.

Danger of warts on the penis in men

First, warts on the penis represent an aesthetic defect rather than a serious pathology that threatens a man's health. However, that does not mean that they do not need to be treated. If you allow the disease to take its course, there may be more serious problems in the future.

The danger of these neoplasms is as follows:

Development of phimosis.In this condition, the foreskin fits with the head of the penis. Because of this, problems can arise with normal sperm discharge, pathogens accumulate in the space under the foreskin, and inflammatory processes can occur.
Inflammation of the head, the stock of the penis.This pathology is a complication of the condition described above, when bacteria enter the foreskin and spread further.
Erosion of the genitals.They often develop as a result of systemic trauma that warts on the penis. This occurs during intercourse, shaving, wearing tight underwear.
Degeneration of neoplasms in cancerous tumors. This is rare, but there is a risk, especially if the warts on the penis are frequently damaged.

Also, do not forget that active neoplasms are dangerous in terms of infecting partners. Moreover, even condoms are not able to protect a person from infection.

Treatment methods for penile warts

Since the appearance of warts on the penis is directly related to a general decrease in immunity, then the treatment of this pathology should be complex and combined. Basically, for neoplasms, different methods of destruction are used. To raise immunity and suppress the virus, drugs are used.

Ways to remove warts on the penis

Instrumental and chemical exposure methods are used to remove warts on the penis. It is worth remembering that these growths are extremely rare in themselves, and therefore must be removed if a man seeks to minimize the risk of complications.

There are several ways to get rid of warts on the penis:

Laser deletion.The laser beam evaporates liquid from the collection, dries, covers with crust and falls off after a few days. Normally, no traces remain at the treatment site. The procedure is painless, relapses and complications are rare.
Bain Cryo.Liquid nitrogen, which has a low temperature, is applied topically to the neoplasm and subsequently freezes and dies. After processing, a crust forms at the site of construction, which also disappears after a few days along with the rest of the formation.
Radiosurgical end.The neoplasm is affected by radio waves, which destroy the growth tissue. This is one of the most accurate, effective and safest ways to remove warts on the penis. After removing a radio wave, no marks remain on the skin.
Electrocoagulation.At a certain frequency, a current is applied to the electrode, which destroys the formation. This procedure can lead to burns to remove warts on the penis and subsequent contractions. Therefore, it is prescribed with caution.
Surgical slip.If the wart on the penis is too large, the technique may be cut with a scalpel in very extreme cases. But they rarely resort to such an operation, since there is a risk of heavy bleeding and the spread of the infection. Also, complete circular excision of the foreskin is indicated for extensive wart lesions.

The doctor may also prescribe chemical removal. The procedure is performed using cauterizing medication.

Before curing warts on the penis with the help of chemicals, it is necessary to consult a doctor, as these funds have some contraindications and their improper use threatens complications.

Medications for penile warts

To eliminate the risk of warts occurring 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, different groups of drugs are used - antiviral and immunomodulatory.

In addition to HPV it is important to stimulate the protective work of the body, which for some reason is depressed. Immunity will actively fight the pathogen and reduce the risk 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, it is necessary to resort to instrumental techniques to eliminate growths.

Folk remedies for warts on the penis

If you are wondering how to treat penile warts, help in traditional medicine can be found. However, remember that you should only use these techniques after consulting your doctor. Self-medication can at least be blunt, and in the worst case, lead to serious complications.

The following tools are popular:

Tea tree oil.Powerful herbal antiviral agent that helps remove pathogen activity. It is necessary to rub the substance into the warts on the head of the penis several times a day, every day until the growth is completely stopped.
Propolis.Another natural remedy that helps deal with viruses. To remove warts on the penis, apply the substance on the growths before going to bed every day for 10-14 days.
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 that it does not damage neighboring healthy areas. You need to lubricate carefully and pointwise.
Rowan Juice.The acidic substance contains phytoncides with antiviral effects. Lubricate with fresh liquid warts on the penis daily.

The above recipes are only suitable if you know for sure that you are dealing with HPV, and that the neoplasm is small and single. Otherwise, you can not do without special therapy.

Prevents warts on the penis

Timely treatment of penile warts reduces the risk of complications and recurrence in the future. It is also a way to transmit the virus to your sexual partner.

One of the most effective methods of prevention is vaccination with special multiple vaccines. They act against pathogens of types 6, 11, 16 and 18 - exactly those that cause the appearance of genital warts.

While a condom cannot guarantee 100% protection against HPV, it should be used as it reduces the risk of infection by 20-30%. Including, it protects against other sexually transmitted infections.

If a man is already infected with HPV, it is necessary to adhere to healthy lifestyle rules to reduce the risk of warts on the penis. It is important to worsen chronic illnesses, eat right, exercise and maintain immunity in a state of "ready to cope".

If you are wondering how to remove warts on the penis, then see a doctor immediately. Self-medication in this case can only do harm. The procedure to remove neoplasms is quick and almost painless. In addition, it is important to strengthen the body's protective functions in order to avoid relapse in the future.