Penile warts are small growths found in the foreskin, frenulum, glans penis or shaft of the penis. They are also called genital warts. It causes the papillomavirus pathology of some strains, which is prone to recurrent manifestations and is never completely eliminated from the body.
Causes of penile warts in men
Warts are viral growths caused by the human papillomavirus. HPV is a large group of pathogenic microorganisms. About 100 strains of this pathogen have been studied. Furthermore, these viruses are divided into different categories based on the level of oncogenicity.
According to rough estimates, about 90% of the world population is infected with one or another type of papillomavirus. Pathogens live very little in the external environment and die quickly. Most often transmitted through sexual contact, less often in everyday life or from mother to child. Viral agents are localized in the superficial layer of the mucous membranes and epidermis.
As for penile warts in men, they are 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 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.
The multiplication of HPV occurs in the deep layers of the skin within the cells of the human epidermis. As the disease progresses, epithelial cells move upward with viral agents. Then 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 distinctive feature of the papillomavirus is that it can remain inactive for a long time in the deep layers of the dermis. Various factors can provoke its progress. For example, weakened immune system, hypothermia, antibiotic intake, 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 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 scrotum, testicles.
Warts on the penis usually look like small growths of a pinkish, beige, whitish shade, 2-30mm in size. They can be single or stray in groups, forming neoplasms similar to a cockscomb.
In the active growth phase, when the immune system fails, warts on the penis can cause itching, burning in the affected area. Also, tumors are sometimes palpable during intercourse. In the normal state, these growths are painless and do not bring any significant discomfort.
Condylomas often affect not a limited area of the genitals, but large areas. Therefore, warts on the head of the penis often gradually spread throughout the groin area, affecting the anus.
The types of warts on the penis depend on the strain of the virus that infects the man and their location.
Let's consider their main types:
- In the area of the foreskin, the tumors have the appearance of tubercles of a lighter shade of the skin. Sometimes they have a thin leg. Initially, single warts appear, over time clusters of genital warts can form.
- On the frenulum, the warts look like small whitish nodules with a chaotic arrangement.
- Warts on the head of the penis look like pale pink finger-like growths. They usually form clusters similar to broccoli inflorescences.
- Buschke-Levenschein giant 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, as the cells of the neoplasm are subject 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, the perianal area and the groin. A visual examination is usually sufficient to make a diagnosis. In some cases, the doctor may refer the man for further tests.
To identify the pathogen strain and the risk of oncogenicity, the patient must donate blood for a PCR test. Additionally, if the frenulum is damaged, a meatoscopy procedure may be required to determine the presence of warts in 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 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, a cosmetic defect than a serious pathology that threatens a man's health. However, that doesn't mean they shouldn't 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 the following:
- Development of phimosis.In this condition, the foreskin merges with the head of the penis. Because of this, problems with normal semen discharge can arise, pathogens accumulate in the space under the foreskin, and inflammatory processes can occur.
- Inflammation of the head, trunk of the penis.This pathology is a complication of the condition described above, when bacteria penetrate under the foreskin and spread further.
- Erosions on the genitals.Very often they develop as a result of systematic lesions of the 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 infection of partners. Moreover, even condoms are not always able to protect a person from infections.
Treatment methods for penile warts
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, in relation to neoplasms, various methods of destruction are used. To increase immunity and suppress the virus, drugs are used.
Ways to remove warts from the penis
Instrumental and chemical exposure methods are used to remove warts on the penis. It is worth remembering that these growths alone are extremely rare and therefore will need to be removed 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 the accumulated liquid, 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.
- Removing Cryo.Liquid nitrogen, which has a low temperature, is applied promptly to the tumor and causes it to freeze and subsequently die. After processing, a crust forms at the site of the formation, which disappears even 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 safest ways to remove warts from the penis. After removing the 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 to remove 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, the technique of cutting it with a scalpel can be used in extreme cases. But they rarely resort to such an operation, as there is a risk of severe bleeding and spread of infection. Also, a complete circular excision of the foreskin is indicated for extensive lesions with warts.
In addition, the doctor may prescribe chemical removal. The procedure is carried out with the use of cauterizing drugs.
Before treating warts on the penis with chemicals, it is imperative to consult a doctor, as these funds have a number of contraindications, and their misuse 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: antivirals and immunomodulators.
Even 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 warts reappearing 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 to eliminate 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 at least be useless 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 the activity of the pathogen. 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 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.It is necessary to take crude proteins and lubricate the neoplasm several times a day.
- Table vinegar.Acid actively corrodes pathological tissues, so care must be taken with it so as not to damage nearby healthy areas. It is necessary to lubricate thoroughly and in a timely manner.
- 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 you are dealing with HPV and the neoplasm is small and single. Otherwise, you can't do without special therapy.
Prevention of warts on the penis
Prompt treatment of penile warts significantly reduces the risk of complications and relapses in the future. It is also a way to avoid passing the virus on to your sexual partner.
One of the most effective methods of prevention is vaccination with special polyvalent vaccinations. They act against type 6, 11, 16 and 18 pathogens, exactly those that cause 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, 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 from the penis, consult a doctor immediately. Self-medication in this case can only do harm. The procedure for removing the tumors is quick and almost painless. In addition, it is important to strengthen the protective functions of the body to avoid relapses in the future.