Penile warts are small growths located on the foreskin, frenum, glans or axis 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 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. Also, these viruses are divided into different categories depending on the level of oncogenicity.
According to rough estimates, about 90% of the world's population is infected with one type of papillomavirus. Pathogens live very little in the external 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 found in the surface layer of the mucous membranes and the 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 can rarely cause malignancies.
In order for the virus to enter the body, direct contact of infected skin or mucosa with healthy skin is required. This usually happens during unprotected sex. The risk of infection increases if there are minor injuries to the body surface - abrasions, cracks, scratches. The virus penetrates these lesions very easily and quickly.
HPV proliferation occurs in the deeper layers of the skin within human skin cells. As the disease progresses, the epithelial cells move upward with viral agents. Thus, the papilloma virus 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 special feature of the papillomavirus is that it can remain dormant for a long time in the deep layers of the dermis. Several factors can cause its progression. For example, weakening of the immune system, hypothermia, taking antibiotics, stress, overwork, poor diet, vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalance, etc. However, even when the virus is latent, a person is potentially dangerous in transmitting HPV to partners. Knowing the causes of warts on the penis, we can conclude that these formations can occur in both adolescents who have recently started having sex and the elderly.Symptoms and types of warts on the penis
In the majority of male patients, warts on the penis, as a rule, do not manifest in any way. Most often they form in places prone to injury during intercourse. Therefore, neoplasms can be found in the head, frenzy, foreskin. Less often, they appear in the trunk of the penis and in the scrotum, in the testicles.
Warts on the penis usually look like small pink, beige, white growths, 2-30 mm in size. They can be solitary or stray in groups, forming neoplasms similar to a complete one.
In the active growth phase, when the immune system fails, warts on the penis can cause itching and burning in the affected area. Also, sometimes the neoplasms are felt during intercourse. Under normal circumstances, these increases are painless and do not cause significant discomfort.
Often, warts do not affect a limited area of the genitals, but over 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 that infects the man, as well as their location.
Let's look at their main types:
- In the foreskin area, the neoplasms have the appearance of tubercles with a lighter shade than the skin. Sometimes they have a slender leg. Initially, only warts appear, over time, groups of genital warts may form.
- In frenum, warts look like small white nodules with a chaotic arrangement.
- The warts on the head of the penis look like a light pink finger. They usually form clusters similar to broccoli inflorescences. Giant Buschke-Levenschein tumors can sometimes form on the shaft of the penis. There are many warts that have grown together. It is a rare but dangerous pathology that is fraught with malignant transformation, as the tumor cells are prone to rapid mutation.
If suspicious growths are detected in the penis, a man should immediately consult a specialist. The urologist examines and interviews the patient. In addition to the penis, the urologist should examine the scrotum, perineal area and groin. Usually a visual examination is sufficient for the diagnosis. In some cases, the doctor may refer the man for additional tests.
To determine the pathogen strain and the risk of oncogenicity, the patient must donate blood for PCR. Also, if the frenum is damaged, a creatoscopy may be needed to determine the presence of warts in the urethra.
We must remember that warts on the head of the penis and scrotum can be similar to tumors of different natures. For example, papilloma in the second stage of syphilis is also characterized by the appearance of small tumors. In order to exclude other sexually transmitted diseases, it is also necessary to be checked for common sexually transmitted infections - syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, hair loss, etc.
Risk of warts on the penis in men
Initially, warts on the penis represent an aesthetic defect rather 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 continue, it can lead to more serious problems in the future.
The risk of these tumors is:
- Development of phimosis.In this condition, the foreskin fuses with the head of the penis. Because of this, problems with normal sperm discharge can occur, pathogens accumulate in the area below the foreskin and inflammatory processes can occur.
- Inflammation of the head, the torso of the penis.This pathology is a complication of the condition described above, when bacteria penetrate under the foreskin and spread further.
- Genital erosions.Most often develop as a result of systemic injury of warts on the penis. This happens during sexual intercourse, shaving, wearing tight underwear.
- Tumor degeneration in cancerous tumors.This is rare, but there is a potential risk, especially if warts on the penis are often damaged.
Also, do not forget that active neoplasms are dangerous in terms of infecting mates. In addition, even condoms are not always able to protect a person from infection.
Treatment methods for penile warts
Because 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. Basically, in relation 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
Organic and chemical exposure methods are used to remove warts on the penis. It is worth remembering that these increases alone are extremely rare, and should therefore 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 accumulation, dries, is 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 leading to relapses and complications.
- Remove Cryo.Liquid nitrogen, which has a low temperature, is applied to the neoplasm and leads to freezing and subsequent death. After processing, 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 tumor is affected by radio waves, which destroy the growth tissue. This is one of the most accurate, effective and safe ways to get rid of warts on the penis. After radiofrequency ablation, there are no scars 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 then scars. Therefore, it is prescribed with caution.
- Surgical resection.If the wart on the penis is very large, the scalpel cutting technique can be used in extreme cases. However, they rarely resort to such an operation, as there is a risk of severe bleeding and the spread of infection. A complete circular foreskin resection is also indicated for extensive wart lesions.
Your doctor may also prescribe chemical removal. The procedure is performed using cauterization 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 improper use threatens complications.
Remedies 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 pay attention to the increase of immunity, as well as the suppression of the virus in the body. For this purpose, different groups of drugs are used - antivirals and immunomodulators.
Also, with HPV, it is important to stimulate the body's defenses, which for some reason are in a state of depression. Immunity will actively fight the pathogen and reduce the risk of recurrence of warts on the penis.
It should be understood that medication is not able to completely solve the problem of warts on the penis. To get rid of them, it is necessary to resort to organic techniques to eliminate growth.
Folk remedies for warts on the penis
If you are thinking about how to treat penile warts, then you can find help 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 at worst, can lead to serious complications.
The following tools are popular:
- Tea tree oil.Strong herbal antiviral agent that helps suppress pathogenic activity. It is necessary to rub the substance on 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 fight 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 essential to get raw protein and lubricate the tumor several times a day.
- Table vinegar.The acid actively erodes the abnormal tissues and, therefore, you must be careful with it, so as not to damage neighboring healthy areas. You need to lubricate carefully and focused.
- Rowan Juice.The acidic substance contains herbicides that have antiviral effects. Lubricate the penis with fresh wart fluid daily.
The above recipes are only suitable if you know for sure that you are dealing with HPV and that the tumor is small and single. Otherwise, you can not do without special treatment.
Prevention of warts on the penis
Early treatment of penile warts significantly reduces the risk of complications and recurrence in the future. It is also a way to prevent the transmission of the virus to your sexual partner.
One of the most effective methods of prevention is vaccination with special multivalent vaccines. They act against pathogens 6, 11, 16 and 18 - exactly those that cause genital warts.
Although the condom may not 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 essential to follow the rules of a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of warts on the penis. It is important to suppress the aggravation of chronic diseases in time, to eat properly, to exercise and to keep the immunity in a state "ready for battle".
If you are thinking about how to remove warts on the penis, then see a doctor immediately. Self-medication in this case can only hurt. The process of removing neoplasms is quick and almost painless. In addition, it is important to strengthen the body's protective functions in order to prevent recurrences in the future.