Warts on the penis are small formations that are located on the foreskin, frenulum, glans or on the shaft of the penis.They are also called genital warts.The pathology is provoked by the papillomavirus of certain types, which are prone to repeated manifestations and are never completely eliminated from the body.
Reasons for the formation of warts on the penis in men
Warts are viral growths caused by human papillomavirus.HPV is a large group of pathogenic microorganisms.There are about 100 studied strains of this pathogen.These viruses are also divided into different categories based on their level of oncogenicity.
According to rough estimates, about 90% of the world's population is infected with one or another type of papillomavirus.Pathogens live very little in the external environment and die quickly.It is most often transmitted through sexual contact, less often in everyday life or from mother to child.Viral agents are localized in the surface layer of the mucosa and epidermis.
As for warts on the penis in men, they are caused by strains 6 and 11. These viruses are responsible for the appearance of genital warts.These are conditionally non-oncogenic types, which can rarely cause malignancy of neoplasms.
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 - scratches, cracks, scratches.The virus penetrates these lesions particularly easily and quickly.
HPV multiplies in the deeper layers of the skin within human epidermal cells.As the disease progresses, the epithelial cells move up along with the viral agents.This is how the papillomavirus 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 papillomavirus is that it can remain dormant for a long time in the deep layers of the dermis.Various factors can provoke its progress.For example, weakened immunity, hypothermia, taking antibiotics, stress, overwork, poor nutrition, lack of vitamins, hormonal imbalance, etc.
However, even when the virus is in latent form, a person is potentially at risk of transmitting HPV to partners.Knowing the causes of warts on the penis, we can conclude that these formations can appear both in teenagers who have recently started sexual activity, and in older people.
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.Most often they are formed in places prone to injuries during sexual intercourse.Therefore, neoplasms can be found on the head, frenulum and foreskin.Less commonly, they appear on the shaft of the penis, scrotum and testicles.
Warts on the penis usually look like small growths of a pink, beige, white color, 2-30 mm in size.They can be single or gathered in groups, forming neoplasms similar to a rooster's comb.
In the phase of active growth, when the immune system malfunctions, warts on the penis can provoke itching and burning in the affected area.Also, sometimes neoplasms are visible during sexual intercourse.Under normal conditions, these growths are painless and do not cause significant discomfort.
Often condylomas do not affect a limited area of the genitals, but large areas.Therefore, warts on the head of the penis often gradually spread to the entire groin area, affecting the anus area.
The types of warts on the penis depend on the strain of the virus that infects the man, as well as on their location.
Let's look at their main types:
- In the foreskin area, the neoplasms look like tubercles with a shade lighter than the skin.Sometimes they have a thin stem.First, single warts appear;over time, clusters of warts may form.
- On the frenulum, warts look like small white knots with a chaotic arrangement.
- Warts on the head of the penis look like pale pink projections like fingers.They usually form clusters similar to broccoli florets.
- Giant Buschke-Levenschein tumors can sometimes form on the shaft of the penis.They are several warts fused together.This is a rare but dangerous pathology, fraught with malignant degeneration, as neoplasm cells are prone to rapid mutation.
If suspicious growths are detected on the penis, a man should immediately contact a specialist.The urologist examines and interviews the patient.In addition to the penis, the urologist should examine the scrotum, perianal area and groin.Usually a visual examination is sufficient to make a diagnosis.In some cases, the doctor may refer the man for additional tests.
To identify the pathogenic type and the risk of oncogenicity, the patient must donate blood for a PCR test.Also, if the frenulum is affected, 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, papulosis in the second stage of syphilis is also characterized by the appearance of small tumors.To exclude other sexually transmitted diseases, it is also necessary to test for common sexually transmitted infections - syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, etc.
The risk of penile warts in men
Initially, warts on the penis are more of an aesthetic defect than a serious pathology that threatens a man's health.However, this does not mean that they do not need to be treated.If the disease is left to chance, it can lead to more serious problems in the future.
The risk of these neoplasms is as follows:
- Development of phimosis.In this condition, the foreskin joins the head of the penis.Because of this, problems with the normal discharge of sperm may occur, pathogenic microorganisms accumulate in the space under the foreskin, and inflammatory processes may occur.
- Inflammation of the head and shaft of the penis.This pathology is a complication of the condition described above, when bacteria penetrate under the foreskin and spread further.
- Appearance of erosions in the genitals.Most often they develop as a result of systemic trauma, warts on the penis.This happens during sexual intercourse, shaving and wearing tight underwear.
- Degeneration of neoplasms into cancerous tumors.This happens quite rarely, but there is a potential risk, especially if the warts on the penis are often damaged.
Also, do not forget that active tumors are dangerous from the point of view of infecting partners.Moreover, even condoms are not always able to protect a person from infection.
Methods of treatment of warts on the penis
Since the appearance of warts on the penis is directly related to a general decrease in immunity, the treatment of this pathology must be comprehensive and combined.Basically, different methods of destruction are used in relation to neoplasms.Medicines are used to increase immunity and suppress the virus.
Methods for removing warts on the penis
Instrumental and chemical methods are used to remove warts on the penis.It is worth remembering that these growths rarely go away on their own, and therefore they will have to be removed if a man wants 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 fluid from the growth, which dries up, becomes crusty and falls off after a few days.As a rule, no trace remains at the treatment site.The procedure is painless and rarely leads to relapse or complications.
- Cryoablation.Liquid nitrogen, which has a low temperature, is applied in the direction of new growth and leads to its freezing and subsequent death.After treatment, a crust forms at the growth site, which also falls off after a few days along with the rest of the formation.
- Removal by radiosurgery.The tumor is exposed to radio waves, which destroy the growing tissue.This is one of the most accurate, effective and safe ways to remove warts on the penis.After removing the radio waves, no trace remains on the skin.
- Electrocoagulation.At a certain frequency, a current is supplied to the electrode, which destroys the formation.This penile wart removal procedure can lead to burning and then scarring.Therefore, it is prescribed with care.
- Surgical excision.If the wart on the penis is very large, then in extreme cases the technique of cutting it with a scalpel can be used.But such an operation is used very rarely, as there is a risk of heavy bleeding and the spread of infection.Also, complete circular removal of the foreskin is indicated for extensive wart damage.
Your doctor may also prescribe chemical removal.The procedure is performed using medical cauterizing agents.
Before treating warts on the penis with chemicals, you should definitely consult a doctor, as these products have a number of contraindications and their improper use can lead to complications.
Medicines for warts on the penis
To eliminate the risk of warts reappearing on the head of the penis or on other parts of the genitals, it is necessary to take care of increasing immunity, as well as to suppress the virus in the body.For this purpose, different groups of drugs are used - antiviral and immunomodulatory.
Also, with HPV, it is important to stimulate the body's defenses, which for some reason are suppressed.The immune system will actively fight the pathogen and reduce the risk of penile warts reappearing.
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 methods for eliminating growths.
Folk remedies against warts on the penis
If you are wondering how to treat penile warts, then you can find help in traditional medicine.However, remember that such methods should be used only after consulting a doctor.Self-medication can be at least useless and at worst can lead to serious complications.
The following tools are known:
- Tea tree oil.A powerful herbal antiviral agent that helps suppress pathogen activity.The substance should be rubbed into the warts on the head of the penis several times a day, every day until the growth is completely eliminated.
- Propolis.Another natural remedy that helps to cope with viruses.To remove warts on the penis, apply the growing substance before going to bed every day for 10-14 days.
- Egg white.You need to take raw protein and lubricate the tumor with it several times a day.
- Table vinegar.Acid actively corrodes pathological tissue, and therefore you must be careful with it so as not to damage adjacent healthy areas.You need to lubricate carefully and precisely.
- Rowan juice.The acidic substance contains phytoncides that have an antiviral effect.Warts on the penis should be lubricated daily with freshly squeezed juice.
The above recipes are suitable only if you know for sure that you are dealing with HPV, and the neoplasia is small and single.Otherwise, you can not do without special therapy.
Prevention of warts on the penis
Timely treatment of warts on the penis significantly reduces the risk of complications and recurrences in the future.It is also a way to avoid transmitting the virus to a sexual partner.
One of the most effective methods of prevention is vaccination with special polyvalent vaccines.They act against pathogens of type 6, 11, 16 and 18 - the very ones that cause the appearance of genital warts.
Although 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, then it is necessary to adhere to the rules of a healthy lifestyle in order to reduce the risk of penile warts.It is important to immediately suppress exacerbations of chronic diseases, eat right, be physically active and keep the immune system in a "ready to fight" state.
If you are thinking about how to remove warts on the penis, consult a doctor immediately.Self-medication in this case can only do harm.The procedure for removing tumors is quick and practically painless.In addition, it is important to strengthen the protective functions of the body to avoid relapses in the future.