Penile warts are small growths located on the foreskin, frenulum, glans or shaft of the penis. They are also called genital warts. It causes the pathology of papillomavirus of certain strains, which is subject to recurrent manifestations and is never completely eliminated from the body.
Causes of the formation 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 studied. In addition, these viruses are divided into different categories according to the level of oncogenicity.
According to approximate estimates, about 90% of the world's population is infected with one or another type of papillomavirus. Pathogens live very little in the external environment and die quickly. Most of the time, it is transmitted through sexual contact, less often in everyday life or from mother to child. Viral agents are located in the superficial layer of mucous membranes and the epidermis.
In relation to penile warts in men, they are strains 6 and 11. These viruses are responsible for genital warts. They are conditionally non-oncogenic types, which very rarely can cause malignancy of neoplasms.
For the virus to enter the body, direct contact of the infected skin or mucous membrane with healthy skin is necessary. This usually occurs during unprotected sex. The risk of infection increases if there are microtrauma on the body surface - abrasions, cracks, scratches. The virus penetrates this damage particularly easily and quickly.
HPV multiplication occurs in the deep layers of the skin within the cells of the human epidermis. As the disease progresses, the epithelial cells move upward with the viral agents. Thus, 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 distinguishing feature of the papillomavirus is that it can remain dormant for a long time in the deep layers of the dermis. Several factors can trigger your progress. For example, weakened immune system, hypothermia, antibiotic intake, stress, overwork, poor nutrition, 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 had 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 at all. Most of the time, they form in places subject to injuries during intercourse. Therefore, neoplasms can be found on the head, frenulum, foreskin. Less commonly, they appear on the trunk of the penis and on the scrotum, testicles.
Warts on the penis usually look like small pinkish, beige, whitish growths, 2 to 30 mm in size. They can be single or dispersed in groups, forming neoplasms similar to a rooster crest.
In 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 palpable during sexual intercourse. In the normal state, these growths are painless and do not bring any significant discomfort.
Often, warts do not affect a limited area of the genitals, but large areas. Therefore, warts on the head of the penis often spread gradually throughout the groin area, affecting the anus.
The types of warts on the penis depend on the strain of the virus that infects humans, as well as their location.
Let's consider its main types:
- In the area of the foreskin, neoplasms have the appearance of tubers with a lighter shade than the skin. Sometimes, they have a thin leg. Initially, single warts appear; over time, groups of genital warts may form.
- In the frenulum, warts look like small whitish nodules with a chaotic disposition.
- Warts on the head of the penis look like light pink, finger-like bumps. Typically, they form clusters similar to broccoli inflorescences.
- Giant Buschke-Levenschein tumors can sometimes form on the shaft of the penis. There are several warts that have grown together. This is a rare but dangerous pathology, full of malignant degeneration, since the neoplasm cells are subject to rapid mutations.
If there are suspicious tumors in the penis, the 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 region and the groin. Usually, a visual examination is sufficient to make a diagnosis. In some cases, the doctor may refer the man for further testing.
To identify the strain of the pathogen and the risk of oncogenicity, the patient must donate blood for a PCR test. In addition, if the frenulum is damaged, a meatoscopy procedure may be necessary 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, papulosis in the second stage of syphilis is also characterized by the appearance of small neoplasms. To exclude other sexually transmitted diseases, it is also necessary to test for common sexual infections - syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, etc.
Danger of warts on the penis in men
Initially, warts on the penis represent an aesthetic defect rather than a serious condition that threatens man's health. However, this does not mean that they do not need to be treated. If you let the disease run its course, it could lead to more serious problems in the future.
The danger of these neoplasms is as follows:
- Development of phimosis.In this condition, the foreskin grows along with the head of the penis. Because of this, problems with normal sperm 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 the bacteria penetrate under the foreskin and spread further.
- Erosions on Organs genitals.Most of the time, they develop as a result of systematic lesions on warts on the penis. This happens during sexual intercourse, shaving, wearing tight underwear.
- Degeneration of neoplasms in cancerous tumors.This is rare, but there is a potential danger, especially if warts on the penis are usually damaged.
Also, keep in mind that active cancers are dangerous to infect partners. In addition, even condoms are not always able to protect a person from infection.
Treatment methods for penile warts
As the appearance of warts on the penis is directly related to a general decrease in immunity, the treatment of this pathology must be complex and combined. Basically, in relation to neoplasms, several methods of destruction are used. Medicines are used to increase 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 these growths alone are extremely rare and, therefore, should 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 accumulation liquid, dries, is covered by a crust and falls off after a few days. As a rule, no trace remains at the treatment site. The procedure is painless, rarely leads to relapse and complications.
- Cryogenics removal.Liquid nitrogen, which has a low temperature, is applied punctually to the cancer and leads to its freezing and subsequent death. After processing, a crust forms at the formation site, which also disappears after a few days with the rest of the formation.
- Radiosurgical removal. The neoplasm is affected by radio waves, which destroy the tissue of the accumulation. This is one of the most accurate, effective and safe ways to remove warts on the penis. After the removal of 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 cause burns and, subsequently, scarring. Therefore, it is prescribed with caution.
- Surgical excision.If the wart on the penis is very 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 the infection. In addition, a complete circular excision of the foreskin is indicated for lesions of extensive warts.
In addition, the doctor may prescribe chemical removal. The procedure is performed using cauterizing drugs.
Before curing warts on the penis with chemicals, it is essential to consult a doctor, as these funds have several 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 Organs genitals, it is necessary to take care to increase immunity, as well as suppress the virus in the body. For this purpose, several 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 depressed. Immunity 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 resolve the problem of warts on the penis. To get rid of them, it is necessary to resort to instrumental techniques to eliminate growth.
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 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.Powerful herbal antiviral agent that helps suppress the pathogen's 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 to deal with viruses. To remove warts on the penis, apply the substance to the lumps before going to bed every day for 10-14 days.
- Egg white.It is necessary to take raw protein and lubricate the neoplasm several times a day.
- Table vinegar.The acid actively corrodes pathological tissues and therefore you need to be careful with it so as not to damage healthy neighboring areas. You need to lubricate carefully and on time.
- Rowan juice.The acidic substance contains phytonides with antiviral effects. Lubricate daily with freshly squeezed liquid warts on the penis.
The above recipes are only suitable if you are sure you are dealing with HPV and if the cancer is small and unique. Otherwise, you cannot go without special therapy.
Prevention of warts on the penis
Timely treatment of penile warts significantly reduces the risk of complications and recurrence in the future. It is also a way to prevent transmission of the virus to your sexual partner.
One of the most effective prevention methods is vaccination with special multipurpose vaccinations. They act against types 6, 11, 16 and 18 pathogens - exactly those that cause genital warts to appear.
Although the condom cannot guarantee 100% protection against HPV, it must be used because it reduces the risk of infection by 20-30%. It even protects against other sexually transmitted infections.
If a man is already infected with HPV, it is necessary to follow the rules of a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of warts on the penis. It is important to suppress exacerbations of chronic illnesses in a timely manner, eat well, practice physical activity and maintain immunity in a "combat-ready" state.
If you are thinking about how to remove warts on your penis, consult a doctor immediately. Self-medication, in this case, can only do harm. The neoplasm removal procedure is quick and almost painless. In addition, it is important to strengthen the body's protective functions to prevent relapse in the future.