Penile warts are small growths that are located in the foreskin, frenulum, glans or shaft of the penis. They are also called genital warts. It provokes the pathology of the papillomavirus of certain strains, which is prone to recurrent manifestations and is never completely eliminated from the body.
Causes of the formation 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. Also, these viruses are divided into different categories according to the level of oncogenicity.
According to rough estimates, about 90% of the world's population is infected with some type of papillomavirus. Pathogens live very little in the external environment and quickly die. 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.
Regarding penile warts in men, strains 6 and 11 cause them. These viruses are responsible for genital warts. These are conditionally non-oncogenic types, which quite rarely can cause malignancy of neoplasms.
In order for the virus to enter the body, direct contact of 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 these damages especially easily and quickly.
HPV multiplication occurs in the deep skin layers inside the cells of the human epidermis. As the disease progresses, epithelial cells move upward with viral agents. So the papillomavirus reaches the surface of the skin and provokes a rapid chaotic growth of epidermal cells. This leads to the formation of warts on the penis.
A distinctive characteristic 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, weakening of the immune system, hypothermia, taking antibiotics, stress, overwork, poor nutrition, vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance, etc.
However, even when the virus is latent, a person is potentially dangerous in terms of transmission of 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 begun their sexual activity, 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 commonly, they appear on the trunk of the penis and the scrotum, testicles.
Warts on the penis usually look like small growths of a pinkish, beige, whitish shade, 2-30 mm in size. They can be single or stray into groups, forming neoplasms similar to a cockscomb.
In the phase of active growth, when the immune system fails, warts on the penis can provoke itching and burning in the affected area. Also, sometimes neoplasms are palpable during intercourse. In the normal state, these growths are painless and do not bring any significant discomfort.
Often, condylomas affect not a limited area of the genitals, but large areas. Therefore, often warts on the head of the penis gradually spread throughout the groin area, affecting the anus.
The types of warts on the penis depend on the strain of the virus infecting the man, as well as on their location.
Let's consider their main types:
- In the zone of the foreskin, neoplasms have the appearance of tubercles of a lighter shade than the skin. Sometimes they have a thin leg. Initially, single warts appear, over time, groups of genital warts may form.
- On the frenum, warts look like small whitish nodules with a chaotic arrangement.
- Warts on the head of the penis look like pale pink finger-like outgrowths. Usually they form clusters similar to broccoli inflorescences.
- Giant Buschke-Levenschein tumors can sometimes form on the shaft of the penis. They are several warts that have grown together. This is a rare but dangerous pathology that is fraught with malignant transformation, since the cells of the neoplasm are prone to rapid mutation.
If suspicious growths are found on the penis, a man should immediately consult a specialist. The urologist examines and interviews the patient. In addition to the penis, the urologist must 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 strain of the pathogen and the risk of oncogenicity, the patient must donate blood for a PCR test. Also, if the frenum is damaged, a meatoscopy procedure may be needed to determine the presence of warts in the urethra.
It should be remembered that warts on the head of the penis and the 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 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, rather, an aesthetic defect than a serious pathology that threatens the health of a man. However, this does not mean that they do not need to be treated. If you let the disease take 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 fuses with the head of the penis. Because of this, problems may arise with the normal discharge of sperm, 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 above-described condition, when bacteria penetrate under the foreskin and spread further.
- Erosions on the genitals.Most often they develop as a result of systematic injury to warts on the penis. This happens during intercourse, shaving, wearing tight underwear.
- Degeneration of neoplasms into cancerous tumors.This is 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 infecting partners. Moreover, even 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 related to a general decrease in immunity, then the treatment of this pathology should be complex and combined. Basically, in relation to neoplasms, various methods of destruction are used. To raise immunity and suppress the virus, drugs are used.
Ways to remove warts on the penis
Instrumental and chemical methods of exposure are used to remove warts on the penis. It is worth remembering that these growths by themselves are extremely rare, and therefore they will have to 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 liquid from the build-up, it dries up, becomes covered with a crust and falls off after a few days. As a rule, no traces remain at the treatment site. The procedure is painless, rarely leads to relapses and complications.
- Cryo removal.Liquid nitrogen, which has a low temperature, is applied pointwise to the neoplasm and leads to its freezing and subsequent death. After processing, a crust forms at the site of the build-up, which also disappears after a few days along with the rest of the formation.
- Radiosurgical removal.The neoplasm is affected by radio waves, which destroy the growth tissue. This is one of the most accurate, effective and safe ways to remove warts on the penis. After radio wave removal, no trace remains on the skin.
- Electrocoagulation.At a certain frequency, a current is applied to the electrode, which destroys the formation. This procedure for removing warts on the penis can lead to burns and subsequently to scarring. Therefore, it is prescribed with caution.
- Surgical excision.If the wart on the penis is too large, the technique of cutting it with a scalpel may be used in extreme cases. But they rarely resort to such an operation, since there is a risk of severe bleeding and spread of infection. Also, a complete circular excision of the foreskin is indicated for extensive wart lesions.
Also, the doctor may prescribe chemical removal. The procedure is carried out with the use of cauterizing medications.
Before curing warts on the penis with chemicals, it is imperative to consult a doctor, as these funds have a number of contraindications and their improper use threatens complications.
Medicines 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 suppressing the virus in the body. For this purpose, various groups of drugs are used - antiviral and immunomodulatory.
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 them, it is necessary to resort to instrumental techniques for removing growths.
Folk remedies for warts on the penis
If you are thinking about how to treat penile warts, then help can be found in traditional medicine. However, remember that you should use these techniques only 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.A powerful herbal antiviral agent that helps suppress pathogen activity. 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 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 corrodes pathological tissues, and therefore you need to be careful with it so as not to damage neighboring healthy areas. You need to lubricate carefully and pointwise.
- Rowan juice.The acidic substance contains phytoncides that have antiviral effects. Lubricate with freshly squeezed liquid warts on the penis daily.
The above recipes are suitable only if you know for sure that you are dealing with HPV, and the neoplasm is small and single. 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 transmitting the virus to your sexual partner.
One of the most effective methods of prevention is vaccination with special polyvalent vaccinations. They act against pathogens of types 6, 11, 16 and 18 - exactly those 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 to reduce the risk of warts on the penis. It is important to timely suppress exacerbations of chronic ailments, eat right, exercise physical activity and maintain immunity in a "combat-ready" state.
If you are thinking about how to remove warts on the penis, then immediately see a doctor. Self-medication in this case can only do 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.