Penile warts are small growths located on the foreskin, frenulum, glans or shaft of the penis. They are also called genital warts. This provokes certain strains of the papillomavirus pathology, which are prone to repeated manifestations and 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 the pathogen studied. In addition, these viruses are divided into different categories according to their level of oncogenicity.
Roughly estimated, 90% of the world's population is infected with one or another type of papilloma virus. Pathogens live very little in the external environment and quickly die. Most often it is transmitted through sexual contact, less often in everyday life or from mother to child. The viral agent is localized in the surface layer of the mucous membrane and epidermis.
As for the warts on the penis in men, strains 6 and 11. These viruses are responsible for genital warts. It is a conditionally non-oncogenic type, which very rarely can lead to malignancy of neoplasms.
For viruses to enter the body, direct contact between infected skin or mucous membranes and healthy skin is required. This usually occurs during unprotected sex. The risk of infection increases if there are microtrauma on the surface of the body - abrasions, cracks, scratches. Viruses penetrate this damage especially easily and quickly.
HPV multiplication occurs in the deep layers of the skin in the human epidermal cells. As the disease progresses, the epithelial cells move upward with viral agents. So the papilloma virus reaches the surface of the skin and triggers the rapid chaotic growth of epidermal cells. This leads to the formation of warts on the penis.
The characteristic feature of the papillomavirus is that it can remain in a "dormant" state for long periods in the deep layers of the dermis. Various factors can provoke its progress. For example, weakened immune system, hypothermia, taking antibiotics, stress, overwork, poor nutrition, vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance, etc.
However, even if the virus is latent, a person is potentially dangerous in terms of transmitting HPV to partners. Knowing the causes of warts on the penis, it can be concluded that these formations can appear both in adolescents who have just started having sex and in 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. Most often they form in places prone to injury during intercourse. Therefore, neoplasms can be found on the head, frenulum, foreskin. Less often, they appear on the shaft of the penis and scrotum, testes.
Warts on the penis usually appear as tiny pink, cream, whitish growths 2-30 mm in size. They can be single or stray into groups, forming neoplasms similar to a comb.
In the active growth phase, when the immune system fails, warts on the penis can trigger itching and burning in the affected area. In addition, sometimes neoplasms can be felt during intercourse. Under normal circumstances, these growths are painless and do not cause significant discomfort.
Often, condyloma does not affect a limited area of the genital organs, but a large area. Therefore, often the warts on the head of the penis gradually spread throughout the groin area, affecting the anus.
The type of warts on the penis depends on the type of virus that infected the man, as well as its location.
Let's consider the main types:
- In the zone of the foreskin, neoplasms have the appearance of tubercles with a lighter color than the skin. Sometimes they have thin legs. Initially, single warts appear, over time clusters of genital warts may form.
- On the frenum, the wart looks like a small, whitish nodule with a chaotic arrangement.
- Warts on the glans of the penis look like pale pink growths like fingers. Usually they form groups similar to broccoli.
- Giant Buschke-Levenschein tumors can sometimes form on the shaft of the penis. They are several warts that grow together. This is a rare but dangerous pathology fraught with malignant transformations, since the cells of the neoplasm are susceptible to rapid mutations.
If a suspicious growth is found on the penis, a man should immediately consult a specialist. Urologists examine and interview patients. 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 strain and risk of carcinogenicity, the patient should donate blood for PCR testing. Additionally, if the frenum is damaged, a meatoscopic procedure may be needed to determine the presence of warts on the urethra.
It should be remembered that warts on the head of the penis and scrotum may look like neoplasms of a different nature. For example, papullosis in the second stage of syphilis is also characterized by the appearance of small neoplasms. To rule out other sexually transmitted diseases, it is necessary to carry out tests for common genital infections - syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, trichomoniasis and so on.
The dangers of warts on the penis in men
Initially, warts on the penis were more of an aesthetic defect than a serious pathology that threatens men's health. However, this doesn't mean that they don't need to be treated. If you allow this disease to run its course, it can cause more serious problems in the future.
The dangers of this neoplasm are as follows:
- The development of phimosis.In this condition, the foreskin is attached to the head of the penis. Therefore, problems may arise with the normal discharge of sperm, pathogens accumulate in the space under the foreskin, and an inflammatory process can occur.
- Inflammation of the head, shaft of the penis.This pathology is a complication of the conditions described above, when bacteria penetrate under the foreskin and spread further.
- Erosion of the genitals.Most often develops as a result of systematic trauma to the wart on the penis. This happens during intercourse, shaving, wearing tight underwear.
- Degeneration of neoplasms into cancer tumors.This is rare, but there are potential dangers, especially if the warts on the penis are damaged frequently.
Also, do not forget that active neoplasms are dangerous in the case of an infected partner. Moreover, condoms are not always able to protect a person from infection.
Treatment methods for penile warts
Since the appearance of warts on the penis is directly associated with decreased immunity in general, the treatment of these pathologies must be complex and combined. Basically, in relation to neoplasms, various crushing methods are used. To increase immunity and suppress viruses, drugs are used.
How to get rid of penis warts
Instrumental and chemical exposure methods are used to remove warts on the penis. It is worth remembering that these growths themselves are very rare, and therefore they should be removed if a man is trying to minimize the risk of complications.
There are several ways to get rid of penis warts:
- Laser destruction.The laser beam vaporizes the build-up of liquid, dries up, becomes scaled, and releases after a few days. As a rule, no traces are left at the site of treatment. The procedure is painless, rarely causes relapses and complications.
- Cryo wipe. Liquid nitrogen, which has a low temperature, is applied leading to neoplasms and causing subsequent freezing and death. After processing, a crust forms at the site of accumulation, which also disappears after a few days along with the rest of the formation.
- Radiosurgical removal.Neoplasms are affected by radio waves, which destroy growth tissue. This is one of the most accurate, effective and safe ways to get rid of warts on the penis. After the radio waves are removed, no marks are left on the skin.
- Electrocoagulation.At a certain frequency, current is applied to the electrodes, which destroys the formation. This procedure to remove warts on the penis can cause burns and scarring. Therefore, it is prescribed with care.
- Surgical excision.If the warts on the penis are too large, in extreme cases the technique of cutting them with a scalpel can be used. But they rarely perform such operations, because there is a risk of heavy bleeding and the spread of infection. Also, complete circular excision of the foreskin is indicated for extensive lesions with warts.
The doctor can also order chemical removal. The procedure is performed using cauterization drugs.
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 maintain increased immunity, as well as suppress 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 body's defenses, which for some reason are in a state of stress. Immunity will actively fight pathogens and reduce the risk of warts reappearing on the penis.
Traditional remedies for warts on the penis
If you are thinking about how to treat penile warts, then help can be found in folk medicine. However, remember that you should use this technique only after consulting your doctor. Self-medication can at least be futile, and in the worst case, lead to serious complications.
The following tools are popular:
- Tea tree oil.Powerful herbal antiviral agent that helps suppress pathogenic activity. It is important to rub the substance into the wart on the head of the penis several times a day, every day until the growth is completely gone.
- Propolis.Another natural remedy that helps with viruses. To get rid of warts on the penis, apply the substance to the growing area before going to bed every day for 10-14 days.
- Egg white.You need to take raw protein and lubricate the neoplasm with it several times a day.
- Table vinegar.Acid actively destroys pathological tissue, and therefore you need to be careful with it not to damage the surrounding healthy area. You need to lubricate carefully and on target.
- Jus Rowan.This acidic substance contains phytoncides which have antiviral effects. Lubricate it with a freshly squeezed wart on the penis every day.
The above recipe is only suitable if you know for sure that you are dealing with HPV, and small, single neoplasms. Otherwise, you cannot do without special therapy.
Prevention of penis warts
Timely treatment of penile warts significantly reduces the risk of complications and future recurrence. This is also a way to avoid passing the virus to your sexual partners.
One of the most effective methods of prevention is vaccination with the special polyvalent vaccination. They act against pathogens of types 6, 11, 16 and 18 - exactly what causes genital warts to appear.
Although condoms cannot guarantee 100% protection against HPV, they should be used as they reduce the risk of infection by 20-30%. Including, protecting against other sexually transmitted infections.
If a man is already infected with HPV, it is necessary to follow healthy lifestyle rules to reduce the risk of warts on the penis. It is important to suppress the exacerbation of chronic diseases at the right time, eat right, train physical activity and keep the immunity in a "battle ready" state.