Human papillomavirus (HPV) manifests in the body with a variety of conditions, depending on the type and location. It can be in a latent state for a long time without causing disease, and then, for no apparent reason, appear in the form of various growths on the skin or mucous membranes.
Papillomas on the penis: causes of appearance
Papillomas, warts or warts can be harmless, but their danger is that damaged epithelial cells can degenerate into cancer cells. Therefore, if papillomas appeared on the penis, you should immediately consult a doctor for diagnosis of the disease and timely treatment.
What is it
HPV is a large group of intracellular pathogenic microorganisms containing DNA, which are divided into twenty-seven species, five families and over one hundred strains.
They are also distinguished by the degree of risk of malignancy (oncogenic properties). According to statistics, these viruses affect more than 90% of adults. Papillomaviruses exist and develop only inside the human body. They are more often transmitted sexually than other viruses. HPVs do not have a shell, but they exhibit exceptional vitality and can exist for some time in the external environment. Pathogenic microorganisms are localized in the basal layer of the skin or mucous membranes.
Papillomas on the penis are often caused by a group of viruses that can quickly cause the malignancy process. In this regard, they are often called a precancerous condition or the first step towards the development of oncology. In this case, doctors can prescribe the drug Helixor to the patient.
What are
The genital papilloma is a small neoplasm. The growths resemble those of cauliflower, mushrooms, or rooster ridges. You can see what the pathological growths of the epithelium look like in the photo. Most often they can be seen on the foreskin, frenulum and glans of the penis, less often on the shaft of the penis or scrotum.
- On the foreskin, you can see genital warts, which are light in color and have a thin stalk. At first, unique elements are found, but as the disease develops, they develop and become similar to cauliflower.
- If papillomas on the penis appear in the frenulum area, they can be seen as small white pimples, located in several rows.
- Pale pink villi growths can be seen on the head of the penis. They represent multiple growths, as well as on the foreskin.
- One type of disease caused by HPV on the genital stem, scrotum, or groin is a giant Buschke-Levinstein condyloma. It is classified as a precancerous condition because the damaged cells grow quickly.
Reasons for occurrence
Viral agents that cause papillomas on the penis enter the epithelium through microcracks in the skin or mucous membranes. The main path is that of sexual contact in all its forms. You can also become infected with HPV at home, if you use personal hygiene items, for example, towels from a person with HPV. The risk of contracting the virus is high in public places such as baths, swimming pools, showers. The pathogen does not reveal itself immediately.
The latent period can last from several months to a year. Also, if a man is healthy and has a high level of immune defense, the disease may not appear and the person simply becomes a carrier of the virus. The impetus for the reproduction of the papillomavirus and the appearance of papillomas on the penis is a decrease in immunity.
Thus, there are two reasons for the formation of growths on the genital organ:
infection with papillomavirus- ;
- Activation of HPV, due to weakened immunity.
Causing factors:
- frequent change of sexual partners;
- lack of contraception during intercourse;
- chronic diseases in the genitourinary sphere;
- hormonal disorders;
- AIDS or HIV infection;
- frequent hypothermia;
- viral infections, persistent colds;
- long-term intoxication of the body (receptionantibiotics, alcohol consumption, smoking, etc. );
- stress, unhealthy diet and similar factors that negatively affect the immune system.
Papillomas on the glans penis: symptoms and diagnosis
HPV masses on the penis are usually not symptomatic. Men often do not even notice the activity of the papillomavirus. Papillomas on the head of the penis may reveal themselves, manifesting as itching or burning during intercourse.
If pathological formations have developed and become visible, it can cause discomfort in men due to the unaesthetic appearance of the penis. Papillomas located on the head of the penis can cause phimosis, which is accompanied by corresponding symptoms. In the case of oncogenic formations, when the growths reach large sizes, men may complain of pain in the affected area and a foul odor.
Diagnostics
If a man sees suspicious formations on his penis, then you need to reject the false shame and consult a doctor. Diagnostic measures to identify the papilloma on the head of the penis are performed by a urologist. He carefully collects the history - interviews and examines the patient.
In addition to the penis, the doctor examines the scrotum, groin and anal area, which are the places where the virus can be located. If the urologist finds papillomas on the head of a man's penis, he then prepares him for tests to determine the type of virus. If the frenulum is affected, meatoscopy may be necessary, which is performed to identify foci of HPV lesions in the urethra.
Men take a swab from the urethra for cytology, which determines the type of viral agent. The presence and type of the virus can be detected with a probability of up to ninety-five percent using the polymerase chain reaction method. Any fluid - blood or the contents of the urethra - is suitable as a test medium.
Condylomas on the penis: the danger of pathology
Once diagnosed, your doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment. Do not self-medicate, as this may not be effective and dangerous. If the disease is left untreated, unsightly warts on the penis can cause more serious problems.
Why are papillomas of the penis dangerous?
- At the first stage of papilloma development, phimosis may occur, characterized by the fusion of the foreskin with the head of the penis. If this condition is left untreated, the following complication occurs, caused by the buildup of smegma in the space between the head and the foreskin.
- Inflammation of the head and body of the penis, due to the penetration of pathogenic bacteria under the inner leaves of the foreskin.
- The appearance of erosive defects on the head and foreskin, degeneration of altered epithelial cells into cancer cells.
Why are dangerous for a woman
A man with papillomas on the genitals, first of all, becomes a source of infection for a woman. If the papillomavirus has entered a woman's genitals, its activity is usually very difficult to notice at the initial stage of the disease. The oncogenic types of viruses are especially dangerous because they cause cancer of the cervix. If a woman does not undergo a preventive examination, oncology is detected already in the later stages of cancer development.
How to turn into cancer
As the papilloma begins to develop, unique benign neoplasms are visible. Then they increase in number and combine with each other, creating a single conglomerate. If the disease is left untreated, over time the damaged cells can degenerate into malignant cells. The risk of degeneration of education into cancer increases tenfold if the type of virus is oncogenic.
Therefore, it is very important to be diagnosed with the disease in a medical facility. The most common oncogenic HPVs that cause genital warts are the sixteenth or eighteenth types. They cause cancer of the penis, cervix and bladder.
How to get rid of papillomas on the penis: treatment and prevention
Since the appearance of pathological growths on the genitals is preceded by a decrease in immunity, treatment should be complex. The growths themselves are removed by surgery or cauterization. Drugs containing a component that blocks the development and reproduction of viral agents, for example, Viferon, Acyclovir, Epigen-intim and similar drugs, help fight viruses.
In addition to antiviral therapy with drugs, the doctor prescribes immunomodulators, vitamin complexes and gives recommendations on a healthy diet and lifestyle. It is important to identify all the factors that led to the activation of the virus and to eliminate them. Therefore, before you decide how to get rid of papillomas on the penis, you need to undergo a thorough examination of your health.
Remove
Genital growths do not go away on their own, so radical treatment is needed to get rid of them. There are several methods of removing unpleasant growths.
- Laser removal. The papillomas are melted by a laser beam and a scab remains in its place, which naturally disappears after two weeks.
- Cryodestruction. Neoplasms are cauterized with liquid nitrogen. In addition, as in the first case, a crust remains, which after some time disappears without leaving a trace.
- Radiosurgery. Papilloma is affected by radio waves. The method is considered to be the most accurate, the safest and does not cause complications.
- Electrocoagulation. The growth is eliminated by using an electric current which is applied at a certain frequency. This method of removal can lead to complications in the form of tissue scarring.
- Disposal of chemicals. The method consists of cauterization of the papilloma with medical solutions: Condolin or Solkoderm. The drugs are applied by health professionals. After treatment, the neoplasms dry up and disappear.
- Treatment with ointments. If the growths are minor, you can use an ointment to remove them. Oxolinic ointment or the drug Aldara will help to cope with the papillomavirus.
How to get rid of papillomas on the penis, by cryodestruction or with the help of drugs, the doctor decides, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient. Procedures for getting rid of neoplasms do not require anesthesia and give a positive result in ninety-five percent of cases. Sometimes relapses occur in the same place.
Unconventional methods
The answer to the question of how to get rid of papillomas on the penis can be found in traditional medicine recipes. It should be borne in mind that the use of such methods must necessarily be agreed with the attending physician. Otherwise, the treatment may be in vain, time will be wasted and this will lead to complications.
Popular Popular Recipes:
- Tea tree oil, rubbed into the affected area daily, will help get rid of the buildup, until the wart disappears;
- good results in the treatment can be obtained if propolis is applied to the papilloma;
- the easiest way is to lubricate the neoplasms with egg white; Vinegar
- will help get rid of papillomas, which must be carefully cauterized against the growth once a day;
- you can get rid of small formations with the help of rowan berry juice (lubricate);
- Use caution when applying ammonia lotion as it can burn thin skin.
These recipes will help get rid of the newly appeared neoplasms that did not have time to develop. If the papilloma has already formed and protrudes sharply above the skin, it must be removed using radical methods.
Prevention
The safest ways to exclude an unpleasant and dangerous disease are safe sex and personal hygiene. If these conditions are not met, preventive measures should be taken to maintain a sufficient level of immunity so that the virus does not show activity in the body.
You can have a positive effect on immunity if you cure chronic diseases, eat well, exercise, temper and treat infectious diseases on time. It is important to give up bad habits that lead to intoxication of the body. In order to prevent papillomas from causing complications, men should visit a urologist regularly to identify the first signs of the disease.