Penis warts are small growths located in the foreskin, frenula, penis, or shaft of the penis. They are also called genital warts. It provokes the pathology of some strains of papillomavirus, which is subject to repeated manifestations and is never completely eliminated from the body.
Causes of male warts on the penis
Warts are viral growths caused by the human papilloma virus. HPV is a large group of pathogenic microorganisms. Approximately 100 strains of this pathogen have been studied. These viruses are also divided into different categories according to the level of oncogenicity.
It is estimated that around 90% of the world's population is infected with one type or another of papillomavirus. Pathogens live very little in the external environment and die quickly. They are most often transmitted through sexual contact, less often on a daily basis or from mother to child. Viral agents are localized in the surface layer of the mucous membranes and epidermis.
As for the warts on the penis in men, they are caused by strains 6 and 11. These viruses are responsible for genital warts. These are relatively non-oncogenic types that can quite rarely cause neoplastic malignancy.
In order for the virus to enter the body, it is necessary for the infected skin or mucous membrane to come into contact with healthy skin. This usually happens during unprotected sex. The risk of infection increases if there are microtraumas on the body surface - abrasions, cracks, scratches. The virus enters these lesions particularly easily and quickly.
HPV proliferation occurs in the deep layers of the skin in human epidermal cells. As the disease progresses, the epithelial cells move upwards with viral agents. Thus, the papilloma virus reaches the surface of the skin and provokes the rapid chaotic growth of epidermal cells. This leads to the formation of warts on the penis.
A distinctive feature of the papilloma virus is that it can remain "inactive" for a long time in the deep layers of the dermis. Various factors can provoke its progress. For example, weakened immune system, hypothermia, antibiotic use, stress, overwork, malnutrition, vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalances, etc.
However, even if the virus is latent, a person is potentially dangerous to HPV transmission 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 the elderly.
Symptoms and types of warts on the penis
In most patients, male warts on the penis usually do not manifest in any way. They most often occur in places that are subject to injury during sexual intercourse. Therefore, neoplasms can be found on the scalp, frenulum, foreskin. Uncommon, they appear on the penis and scrotum, testicles.
Warts on the penis usually look like pink, beige, whitish small growths 2-30 mm in size. They may be solitary or stray in groups, forming neoplasms similar to a rooster ball.
During the active growth phase, when the immune system fails, warts on the penis can cause itching and burning in the affected area. Also, neoplasms are sometimes felt during sexual intercourse. Under normal conditions, these growths are painless and do not cause significant discomfort.
Warts often affect large areas rather than a limited genital area. Therefore, often the warts on the head of the penis gradually spread throughout the groin area, affecting the anus.
The types of penis warts depend on the strain of virus that infects a man, as well as their location.
Consider their main types:
- In the foreskin area, the neoplasms have lighter colored tubers than the skin. Sometimes they have a thin leg. At the beginning, one wart appears, over time, groups of genital warts can form.
- In Fenum, warts look like small whitish nodules with a chaotic arrangement.
- Warts on the head of the penis look like light pink finger-shaped growths. They usually form clusters similar to broccoli inflorescences.
- Giant Buschke-Levenschein tumors can sometimes form on the shaft of the penis. These are several warts that have grown together. This is a rare but dangerous pathology associated with malignant transformation because neoplasm cells are subject to rapid mutation.
If suspicious growths are found on the penis, the man should consult a specialist immediately. The urologist examines and interviews the patient. In addition to the penis, the urologist should examine the sac, perianal areas and groin. Visual inspection is usually sufficient to make a diagnosis. In some cases, the doctor may refer the man for additional tests.
To identify the pathogen strain and the risk of carcinogenicity, the patient should donate blood for a PCR test. Also, if the frenum is damaged, a meatoscopy procedure may be needed to detect the presence of warts in the urethra.
It should be remembered that warts on the head of the penis and in the scrotum can look like new growths. For example, papulosis in the second stage of syphilis is also characterized by the appearance of small neoplasms. To rule out other sexually transmitted diseases, common sexual infections such as syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, etc. should also be tested.
Male wart threat on the penis
Initially, warts on the penis represent an aesthetic defect rather than a serious pathology that threatens a man's health. However, this does not mean that they do not need to be treated. If you let the disease go its course, it can cause more serious problems in the future.
The danger of these neoplasms is as follows:
- Development of phimosis.In this position, the foreskin merges with the head of the penis. As a result, problems with normal sperm excretion may occur, pathogens accumulate in the space under the foreskin and inflammatory processes may occur.
- Inflammation of the head, penis stem.This pathology is a complication of the condition described above, where bacteria enter under the foreskin and spread further.
- Erosion of the genitals.They most often develop as a result of systematic warts injury on the penis. It happens during intercourse, while shaving, wearing tight underwear.
- Neoplasmic degeneration in cancerous tumors.This is rare, but there is a potential danger, especially if the warts on the penis are often damaged.
Also, keep in mind that active neoplasms are dangerous in terms of infecting partners. In addition, even condoms are not always able to protect a person from infection.
Methods of treating penile warts
As the appearance of warts on the penis is directly associated with a general decrease in immunity, the treatment of this pathology must be complex and combined. In essence, different methods of destruction are used for neoplasms. Medicines are used to boost immunity and suppress the virus.
Ways to remove warts on the penis
Instrumental and chemical methods are used to remove warts on the penis. It is worth remembering that these growths are extremely rare in themselves, and therefore will need to be removed if a man tries to reduce the risk of complications.
There are several ways to get rid of a wart on the penis:
- Laser destruction.The laser beam evaporates from the accumulation, dries, covers the crust and falls off after a few days. There are usually no traces left at the treatment site. The procedure is painless, rarely leads to relapses and complications.
- Cryo removal.Low-temperature liquid nitrogen is applied to the neoplasm in one direction and leads to its freezing and subsequent death. After treatment, a crust forms at the site of accumulation, which also disappears after a few days along with the rest of the formation.
- Radiosurgical removal.The neoplasm is affected by radio waves that destroy growth tissue. This is one of the most accurate, effective and safest ways to remove warts on the penis. No marks remain on the skin after removing the radio waves.
- Electrocoagulation.At a certain frequency, a current is applied to the electrode, which destroys the formation. This wart removal procedure on the penis can cause burns and then scarring. Therefore, it should be written with caution.
- Surgical excision.If the wart on the penis is too large, in extreme cases a technique can be used to cut it with a scalpel. But they rarely use such surgery because of the risk of severe bleeding and the spread of the infection. Extensive circular foreskin excision is also intended for extensive wart damage.
Your doctor may also prescribe a chemical removal. The procedure is performed using cauterizing medications.
Medicines for penis warts
To prevent the risk of recurrence of warts on the head of the penis or other parts of the genitals, care should be taken to increase immunity and to suppress the virus in the body. Different groups of drugs are used for this purpose - antiviral and immunomodulatory.
It is also important to stimulate the body's defenses with HPV, which for some reason are depressed. Immunity will actively fight the pathogen and reduce the risk of warts on the penis.
Folk remedies for warts on the penis
If you are thinking about how to treat genital warts, then help can be found in traditional medicine. However, remember that these methods should only be used after consulting a doctor. Self-medication can be at least futile and, in the worst case, lead to serious complications.
These tools are popular:
- Tea tree oil.A powerful antiviral agent that helps suppress pathogen activity. The warts should be rubbed on the head of the penis several times a day until growth has completely stopped.
- Propolis.Other natural medicines that help to deal with viruses. To remove warts on the penis, apply the substance to the growths every day for 10-14 days before going to bed.
- Egg white.It is necessary to absorb crude protein and lubricate the neoplasm several times a day.
- Table vinegar.Acid actively corrodes abnormal tissues, so you should be careful not to damage the healthy areas of your neighbors. You must lubricate carefully and to the point.
- Rowanberry juice.The acid contains phytoncides with antiviral activity. Lubricate daily with freshly squeezed liquid warts on the penis.
The above recipes are only suitable if you know for sure that you are dealing with HPV and the neoplasm is small and one. Otherwise, you cannot do without special treatment.
Prevention of warts on the penis
Timely treatment of penile warts significantly reduces the risk of complications and recurrence in the future. It is also a way to avoid transmitting the virus to your sexual partner.
One of the most effective methods of prevention is vaccination with special multivalent vaccinations. They work against pathogens type 6, 11, 16 and 18, the ones that cause genital warts.
Although a condom cannot guarantee 100% protection against HPV, it should be used because it reduces the risk of infection by 20-30%. This includes protection against other sexually transmitted infections.
If a man is already infected with HPV, a healthy lifestyle should be followed to reduce the risk of warts on the penis. It is important to suppress the exacerbations of chronic diseases in a timely manner, eat properly, perform physical activities and maintain immunity in "combat readiness".