Penile warts are small growths on the foreskin, frenum, glans, or shaft of the penis. These are also called genital warts. It provokes papillomavirus pathology of certain strains, which are prone to recurrent manifestations and are 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 species of this pathogen under study. These viruses are also divided into different categories according to the level of oncogenicity.
It is estimated that about 90% of the world's population is infected with some form of papillomavirus. Pathogens live very little in the external environment and die quickly. In most cases, it is transmitted in everyday life or through sexual contact with the unborn child. Viral agents are localized in the surface layer of the mucous membrane and epidermis.
When it comes to penile warts in men, strains 6 and 11 cause them. These viruses are responsible for genital warts. These are conditionally non-oncogenic species and can very rarely cause malignancy of neoplasms.
In order for the virus to enter the body, the infected skin or mucous membranes must come into direct contact with healthy skin. This usually happens during unprotected sex. If there are microtraumas on the surface of the body - abrasions, cracks, scratches increase the risk of infection. The virus penetrates these lesions especially easily and quickly.
HPV multiplication occurs in the deep skin layers of human epidermal cells. As the disease progresses, epithelial cells move upwards with viral substances. Thus, the papillomavirus reaches the surface of the skin and causes rapid chaotic growth of epidermal cells. This causes warts to form on the penis.
A distinctive feature of papillomavirus is that it remains dormant in the deeper layers of the dermis for a long time. Various factors can contribute to 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 hidden, it is dangerous for a person to pass it on to their HPV partners. Knowing the causes of warts on the penis, we can conclude that these developments can be seen in both adolescents and adults who have recently started having sex.
Symptoms and types of warts on the penis
In most male patients, warts on the penis usually do not show up at all. They often occur in areas prone to injury during sexual intercourse. Therefore, neoplasms can be found on the scalp, bridge, foreskin. Less commonly, they appear on the body of the penis and in the scrotum, testicles.
Warts on the penis usually look like small growths of pink, beige, whitish shade, 2-30 mm in size. They can form rooster-like neoplasms individually or in groups.
During the active growth phase, when the immune system fails, warts on the penis can cause itching and burning in the affected area. In addition, neoplasms are sometimes felt during sexual intercourse. Under normal circumstances, these growths are painless and do not cause serious discomfort.
Often warts affect large areas of the genitals, not just a limited area. Therefore, often the warts on the head of the penis gradually affect the anus and spread to the groin area.
The types of warts on the penis also depend on the type and location of the virus that infects the man.
Let's look at the main types:
- Neoplasms in the area of the foreskin have the appearance of tuberculosis, a lighter shade than the skin. Sometimes he has a slender leg. Initially, single warts appear, and groups of genital warts may develop over time.
- In 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 plants. They usually form groups similar to broccoli blooms. Giant Buschke-Levenschein tumors can sometimes form on the shaft of the penis. There are several warts that grew together. This is a rare but dangerous pathology filled with malignant transformation because neoplasmic cells are prone to rapid mutation.
If suspicious growths are found on the penis, the man should contact a specialist immediately. The urologist examines the patient and conducts interviews. In addition to the penis, the urologist should examine the scrotum, perianal area, and groin. Generally, a visual examination is sufficient to make a diagnosis. In some cases, the doctor may refer the man for additional tests.
To determine 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, an ethoscopy procedure may be needed to determine if there are warts in the urethra.
It should be remembered that warts on the head of the penis and scrotum can look like neoplasms of a different nature. For example, papulosis in the second stage of syphilis is also characterized by the appearance of small neoplasms. Common sexually transmitted infections - syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, etc. - to exclude other sexually transmitted diseases. To be tested.
Danger of penile warts in men
First of all, warts on the penis represent an aesthetic defect rather than a serious pathology that threatens a person's health. However, this does not mean that they do not need treatment. If you allow the disease to progress, it can lead to more serious problems in the future.
The danger of these neoplasms is as follows:
- Development of phimosis.In this case, the circumcision is combined with the head of the penis. This can cause problems with the normal discharge of sperm, pathogens accumulate in the space under the circumcision, and inflammatory processes can occur.
- Inflammation of the head, trunk of the penis.This pathology is a complication of the above condition when bacteria penetrate under the sponge skin and spread further.
- Erosions in the genitals.Warts often develop as a result of systemic injury to the penis. This happens during sex, shaving, wearing tight underwear.
- Transformation of neoplasms into cancerous tumors.This is rare, but there is a potential danger, especially if the warts on the penis are frequently damaged.
In addition, keep in mind that active neoplasms are dangerous for partners to infect. In addition, condoms do not always protect against infection.
Methods of treatment of penile warts
Since the development of warts on the penis is directly associated with a decrease in immunity, the treatment of this pathology should be comprehensive and combined. Basically, various methods of destruction associated with neoplasms are used. Medications are used to increase immunity and suppress the virus.
Ways to clean warts on the penis
Instrumental and chemical methods are used to clean the warts on the penis. It should be remembered that these growths are extremely rare in themselves, and therefore should be excluded if a man tries to minimize the risk of complications.
There are several ways to get rid of warts on the penis:
- Laser destruction.The laser beam evaporates, dries, peels, and falls off after a few days. As a rule, there is no trace at the site of treatment. The procedure is painless and rarely causes relapses and complications.
- Extraction of cryo.Low-temperature liquid nitrogen is applied to the neoplasm and causes freezing and subsequent death. After processing, a crust forms at the site of accumulation, which, along with the rest of the formation, disappears after a few days.
- Radiosurgical removal.Neoplasm is affected by radio waves that 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 wave is removed, no trace remains on the skin.
- Electrocoagulation.At a certain frequency, a current is applied to the electrode, which destroys the formation. This procedure to remove warts on the penis can cause burns and subsequent scarring. Therefore, it is ordered with caution.
- Surgical excision.If the wart on the penis is very large, in extreme cases a scalpel can be used. However, such surgery is rarely performed because of the risk of severe bleeding and the spread of infection. In addition, a complete circular excision of the foreskin is indicated for extensive wart lesions.
Your doctor may also prescribe dry cleaning. The procedure is performed using prescription drugs.
It is important to consult a doctor before treating genital warts with chemicals, as these funds have a number of contraindications and their improper use threatens complications.
Medications for penile warts
In addition to increasing immunity to suppress the risk of recurrence of warts on the head of the penis or other parts of the genitals, it is also important to suppress the virus in the body. For this purpose, different groups of drugs are used - antiviral and immunomodulatory.
With HPV, it is also important to stimulate the body's defenses when it is depressed for some reason. Immunity will actively fight the pathogen and reduce the risk of recurrence of genital warts.
It should be understood that drug therapy does not completely solve the problem of warts on the penis. To get rid of them, you need to resort to tool techniques to eliminate growths.
Folk remedies for genital warts
If you are thinking about how to treat penile warts, then you can find help in traditional medicine. Remember, however, that you should only use these methods after consulting your doctor. Self-medication can at least be in vain and, in the worst case, can lead to serious complications.
The following tools are popular:
- Tea tree oil.A powerful herbal antiviral that helps suppress pathogen activity. The substance should be rubbed into the warts on the head of the penis several times a day until the growth is completely eliminated.
- Propolis.Another natural remedy to help fight viruses. To eliminate warts on the penis, apply the substance to the growths every day for 10-14 days before bedtime.
- Egg white.You need to get raw protein and lubricate the neoplasm several times a day.
- Table vinegar.Acid actively erodes pathological tissues, so you need to be careful not to damage neighboring healthy areas. You need to lubricate it carefully and guided.
- Rowan juice.The acidic substance contains phytoncides that have antiviral effects. Lubricate the penis daily with freshly squeezed liquid warts.
The above recipes are only suitable if you know for sure that you are associated with HPV, and the neoplasm is small and single. Otherwise, you can not do without special therapy.
Prevention of penile warts
Timely treatment of penile warts significantly reduces the risk of future complications and recurrences. This is also a way to prevent the virus from being transmitted to your sexual partner.
One of the most effective prevention methods is vaccination with special polyvalent vaccines. They act against pathogens of types 6, 11, 16 and 18 - those that cause the appearance of genital warts.
Although condoms do not provide 100% protection against HPV, they should be used because they reduce the risk of infection by 20-30%. Protects against other sexually transmitted infections
If a man is already infected with HPV, it is important to follow 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, eat properly, exercise and keep the immune system "ready for battle. "
If you are thinking about how to get rid of warts on the penis, consult a doctor immediately. In this case, self-medication can only do harm. The procedure for removing neoplasms is fast and almost painless. In addition, it is important to strengthen the body's protective functions to prevent future recurrences.