Penile warts are small growths that are found in the foreskin, frenum, 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.
With regard to 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.
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.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 the papilloma virus 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 and 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 of 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 pathogen strain 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 scrotum can look like tumors of a 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 and others.
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 nipples of 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.
Penis Wart Treatments
As the appearance of penile warts is directly related to a general decrease in immunity, the treatment of this pathology should 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 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 place 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, then in extreme cases the technique of cutting it with a scalpel can be used. 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 wart lesions.
Also, your doctor may prescribe chemical removal. The procedure is performed using cauterizing drugs.
Before treating warts on the penis with chemicals, it is mandatory to consult a doctor, as these funds have a number of contraindications and their improper use threatens complications.
Penis Wart Remedies
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. The immune system 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 penile warts. To get rid of them, it is necessary to resort to instrumental techniques to remove growths.
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 work against pathogens of types 6, 11, 16 and 18 - 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 promptly suppress exacerbations of chronic diseases, eat properly, exercise and maintain immunity in a state ready for battle.
If you are considering how to remove warts on your penis, see a doctor immediately. Self-medication in this case can only hurt. The procedure for removing tumors is quick and almost painless. In addition, it is important to strengthen the body's defenses to avoid recurrence in the future.