Penile warts are small growths that are found in the foreskin, nodes, glans or shaft of the penis. They are also called genital warts. It provokes the pathology of the papillomavirus 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. 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 one or another type of papillomavirus. Pathogens live very little in the 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 mucous membranes and epidermis.
In order for the virus to enter the body, direct contact of the infected skin or mucous membrane with healthy skin is required. 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 through this damage particularly easily and quickly.As for penile warts in men, they are caused by strains 6 and 11. These viruses are responsible for genital warts. These are conditionally non-oncogenic species that can very rarely cause malignancy of neoplasms.
HPV proliferation occurs in the deep layers of the skin inside the cells of the human epidermis. As the disease progresses, the epithelial cells move upward with viral agents. Thus, the papilloma virus reaches the surface of the skin and provokes rapid chaotic growth of epidermal cells. This leads to the formation of warts on the penis.
A distinctive feature of papillomavirus is that it can remain dormant for a long time in the deep layers of the dermis. Various factors can provoke his progress. For example, weakening of the immune system, hypothermia, antibiotics, stress, fatigue, poor diet, vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance and more.
However, even when the virus is latent, a person is potentially dangerous in terms of transmitting HPV to partners. Knowing the causes of penile warts, we can conclude that these formations can occur in adolescents who have recently begun to have sex, as well as in adults.
Symptoms and types of penile warts
In most male patients, warts on the penis usually do not appear in any way. They most often form in places prone to injury during intercourse. Therefore, neoplasms can be found on the head, nodes, foreskin. Less commonly, they appear on the trunk of the penis and scrotum, the testicles.
Penile warts usually look like small growths with a pink, beige, whitish tinge 2-30 mm in size. They can be single or deviate in groups, forming rooster-like neoplasms.
In the phase of active growth, when the immune system fails, warts on the penis can provoke itching, burning in the affected area. Also, sometimes neoplasms are palpable during intercourse. Normally, these growths are painless and do not cause significant discomfort.
Often warts do not affect a limited area of the genitals, but large areas. Therefore, often warts on the head of the penis gradually spread to the groin, affecting the anus.
The types of penile warts depend on the strain of the virus that infects the man, as well as their location.
Let's look at their main types:
- In the area of the foreskin, the neoplasms look like tubercles with a lighter shade than the skin. Sometimes they have a thin leg. Initially, single warts appear, and over time, groups of genital warts can form.
- On the frenum, the warts look like small whitish nodules with a chaotic arrangement.
- Warts on the head of the penis look like pale pink finger-shaped growths. They usually 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, as the cells of the neoplasm are prone to rapid mutation.
If suspicious growths on the penis are found, the man should consult a specialist immediately. The urologist examines and interviews the patient. In addition to the penis, the urologist should examine the scrotum, perianal area and groin. Visual examination is usually sufficient to make a diagnosis. In some cases, the doctor may refer the man for further tests.
To identify the pathogenic strain and the risk of carcinogenicity, 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 scrotum can be similar to tumors of different nature. For example, papulosis in the second stage of syphilis is also characterized by the appearance of small tumors. To rule out other sexually transmitted diseases, it is necessary to test for common genital infections - syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, etc.
Danger of penis 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 you let the disease develop, 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 merges with the head of the penis. As a result, problems with normal sperm ejection can occur, 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 above condition, when bacteria penetrate under the foreskin and spread further.
- Genital erosions.Most often they develop as a result of systemic trauma to the warts on the penis. This happens during intercourse, shaving, wearing tight underwear.
- Degeneration of neoplasms in cancerous tumors.This is rare, but there is a potential danger, especially if the warts on the penis are often damaged.
Also, keep in mind that active tumors are dangerous in terms of infecting partners. In addition, even condoms are not always able to protect a person from infection.
Methods for treating 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 must be complex and combined. In general, with respect to neoplasms, various methods of destruction are used. Drugs are used to boost immunity and suppress the virus.
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 in themselves these growths are extremely rare and therefore they will have to be removed if the 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 the liquid from the accumulation, it dries, is covered with crust and falls off after a few days. As a rule, no traces remain at the site of treatment. The procedure is painless, rarely leads to recurrences and complications.
- Remove cryo.Liquid nitrogen, which has a low temperature, is applied topically to the neoplasm and causes it to freeze and die. After treatment, a crust forms at the site of accumulation, which also disappears after a few days along with the rest of the formation.
- Radiosurgical removal.The neoplasm is affected by radio waves that destroy growth tissue. This is one of the most accurate, effective and safe ways to remove warts on the penis. After removing the radio waves, no traces 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 subsequent scarring. Therefore, it is prescribed with caution.
- Surgical excision.If the wart of 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 heavy bleeding and the spread of infection. Also, complete circular excision of the foreskin is indicated in extensive lesions with warts.
Your doctor may also order a chemical removal. The procedure is performed using cauterizing drugs.
Remedies for penis 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 to increase immunity, as well as to suppress the virus in the body. For this purpose, different groups of drugs are used - antiviral and immunomodulatory.
It is also important for HPV to stimulate the body's defenses, which for some reason are depressed. Immunity will actively fight the pathogen and reduce the risk of recurrence of penile warts.
Folk remedies for the treatment of warts on the penis
If you are considering how to treat penile warts, then help can be found in traditional medicine. Remember, however, 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 pathogenic activity. The substance needs to 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 fight viruses. To remove warts on the penis, apply the substance on the growths at bedtime every day for 10-14 days.
- Egg white.It is necessary to take crude protein and lubricate the tumor with it several times a day.
- Table vinegar.The acid actively corrodes pathological tissues, so you should be careful with it so as not to damage neighboring healthy areas. You must lubricate carefully and in the direction.
- Rowan juice.The acidic substance contains phytoncides that have antiviral effects. Lubricate freshly squeezed liquid warts on the penis every day.
The above recipes are only suitable if you know for sure that you are dealing with HPV, and the neoplasm is small and single. Otherwise you can not do without special therapy.
Prevention of warts on the penis
Timely treatment of penile warts significantly reduces the risk of complications and recurrences in the future. This 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 6, 11, 16 and 18 species - 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 suppress exacerbations of chronic diseases in a timely manner, to eat properly, to exercise and to maintain immunity in a state ready for battle