Penile warts are small growths located in the foreskin, frenulum, glans, or shaft of the penis. They are also called genital warts. It causes the pathology of the papillomavirus of certain strains, which is subject to recurrent manifestations and is never completely eliminated from the body.
Causes 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 about 100 strains of this pathogen studied. In addition, these viruses are divided into different categories according to the level of oncogenicity.
According to rough estimates, around 90% of the world's population is infected with some type of papillomavirus. Pathogens live very little in the external environment and die quickly. Most often they are transmitted through sexual contact, less often in everyday life or from mother to child. Viral agents are localized in the surface layer of the mucous membranes and epidermis.
Concerning penile warts in men, strains 6 and 11. These viruses are responsible for genital warts. These are conditionally non-oncogenic types, which very rarely can cause malignancy of neoplasms.
In order for the virus to enter the body, direct contact of the infected skin or mucous membrane with healthy skin is necessary. 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 penetrates this damage 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, the epithelial cells move upward with the viral agents. Thus, 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 distinguishing 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 immune system, hypothermia, taking antibiotics, stress, overwork, poor diet, vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance, etc.
However, even when the virus is latent, 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 having sex and in older people.
Symptoms and types of warts on the penis
In the majority of 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, foreskin. Less commonly, they appear on the trunk of the penis and scrotum, testicles.
Warts on the penis usually look like small growths of a pinkish, beige and whitish tint, 2 to 30 mm in size. They can be single or divided into groups, forming rooster crest-like neoplasms.
In the phase of active growth, when the immune system fails, warts on the penis can cause itching and burning in the affected area. In addition, neoplasms are sometimes palpable during intercourse. In the normal state, these growths are painless and do not bring any noticeable discomfort.
Often condylomas do not affect a limited area of the genitals, but large areas. Therefore, warts on the head of the penis often spread gradually throughout the groin area, affecting the anus.
The types of warts on the penis depend on the strain of virus infecting humans, as well as their location.
Consider their main types:
- In the area of the foreskin, the neoplasms appear as tubercles that are lighter in color than the skin. Sometimes they have a thin leg. Initially, simple warts appear, over time, groups of genital warts can form.
- On the frenulum, the warts look like small whitish nodules with a chaotic arrangement.
- The warts on the head of the penis look like pale pink finger-shaped growths. Usually they form clusters similar to the inflorescences of broccoli.
- Giant Buschke-Levenschein tumors can sometimes form on the shaft of the penis. These are several warts that have grown together. It is a rare but dangerous pathology, fraught with malignant transformation, because the cells of the neoplasm are subject to rapid mutation.
If suspicious growths are found on the penis, a man should immediately see a specialist. The urologist examines and questions 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 refer the man for further testing.
To identify the strain of the pathogen and the risk of oncogenicity, the patient should donate blood for PCR testing. Additionally, if the frenulum is damaged, a meatoscopy 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 can be similar to neoplasms of a different nature. 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 is necessary to be tested for common genital infections - syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, etc.
Danger of warts on the penis in men
Initially, warts on the penis represent more of a cosmetic defect than a serious pathology that threatens the health of a man. However, that doesn't mean they don't need to be treated. If you let the disease run its course, 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 merges with the head of the penis. Due to this, problems may arise with the normal flow of semen, pathogens accumulate in the space under the foreskin, and inflammatory processes may occur.
- Inflammation of the head, trunk of the penis.This pathology is a complication of the condition described above, when bacteria enter under the foreskin and spread further.
- Erosions on the genitals.Most often they develop as a result of systematic trauma of warts on the penis. It happens during sex, shaving, wearing tight underwear.
- Degeneration of neoplasms into cancerous tumors. It's rare, but there is a potential danger, especially if the warts on the penis are often damaged.
Also, do not forget that active neoplasms are dangerous in terms of infection of partners. Also, even condoms are not always able to protect a person from infection.
Penile warts treatment methods
Since the appearance of warts on the penis is directly related to a general decrease in immunity, the treatment of this pathology should be complex and combined. Basically, when it comes to neoplasms, various methods of destruction are used. To increase immunity and suppress the virus, drugs are used.
Ways to remove warts on the penis
Instrumental and chemical methods are used to remove warts on the penis. It should be remembered that these growths in themselves are extremely rare and therefore should 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 destruction.The laser beam evaporates the liquid from the accumulation, it dries up, becomes crusted over and falls off after a few days. As a rule, no trace remains on the treatment site. The procedure is painless, rarely leads to relapses and complications.
- Removed Cryo.Liquid nitrogen, which has a low temperature, is applied punctually to the neoplasm and leads to its freezing and death. After treatment, a scab forms at the site of the accumulation, which also disappears after a few days with the rest of the formation.
- Radiosurgical removal.The neoplasm is affected by radio waves, which destroy the growing tissue. It is one of the most precise, effective and safe ways to remove warts on the penis. After elimination of radio waves, no marks remain on the skin.
- Electrocoagulation.At a certain frequency, a current is applied to the electrode, which destroys the formation. This procedure of removing warts on the penis can lead to burns and subsequently scarring. Therefore, it is prescribed with caution.
- Surgical excision.If the wart on the penis is too large, in extreme cases the technique of cutting it with a scalpel can be used. But they rarely resort to such an operation, as there is a risk of severe bleeding and the spread of infection. In addition, a complete circular excision of the foreskin is indicated for extensive warty lesions.
In addition, the doctor may order chemical elimination. The procedure is carried out with the use of cauterizing drugs.
Before you can cure warts on the penis with chemicals, it is imperative to consult a doctor, since these funds have a number of contraindications, and their improper use threatens complications.
Medication for penile warts
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 of increasing immunity, as well as removing the virus in the body. For this purpose, various groups of drugs are used - antivirals and immunomodulators.
Also with HPV it is important to stimulate the work of the body's defenses, which for some reason are in a depressed state. Immunity will actively fight the pathogen and reduce the risk of recurrence 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 it, it is necessary to resort to instrumental techniques to remove growths.
Folk remedies for warts on the penis
If you are thinking about how to treat penile warts, you can find help 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 the activity of pathogens. 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 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 to 14 days.
- Egg white.It is necessary to take crude protein and lubricate the neoplasm with it several times a day.
- Table vinegar.The acid actively corrodes pathological tissue, so you should be careful not to damage nearby healthy areas. You must lubricate carefully and punctually.
- Rowan juice.The acidic substance contains phytoncides which have antiviral effects. 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 unique. Otherwise, you cannot do without special therapy.
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 passing the virus on to your sexual partner.
One of the most effective prevention methods is vaccination with special polyvalent vaccinations. They work against pathogens types 6, 11, 16 and 18 - exactly the ones that cause genital warts to appear.
Although a condom cannot guarantee 100% protection against HPV, it should be used because 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, then it is necessary to follow the rules of a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of warts on the penis. It is important to suppress the exacerbation of chronic diseases in a timely manner, to eat well, exercise and maintain immunity in a "combat-ready" state.
If you are thinking about how to get rid of warts on the penis, see a doctor immediately. Self-medication in this case can only harm. The procedure for removing neoplasms is quick and almost painless. In addition, it is important to strengthen the protective functions of the body in order to avoid relapses in the future.