Pearly papules: what they are, why they appear and treatment

Pearly papules are small balls that appear on the head of the penis, which do not hurt or cause discomfort. Pearly papules are present in all men, which may be more or less visible, and their function is to produce lubricating liquid, which helps with penetration during sexual intercourse.

Pearly papules, also known as Tyson’s glands, are normal structures and there is no need to consult a urologist or undergo specific treatment. However, there are treatments for aesthetic purposes, such as cauterization or surgery, that allow papules to be removed, especially when they are very large.

Pearly papules normally do not cause symptoms, so if the presence of pus, fever, redness or itching on the penis is noticed, it is important that a urologist is consulted, as this may indicate sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Know how to recognize the main symptoms of STIs in men.

How to identify

Pearly papules are small structures present on the glans (head of the penis), characterized by being small white or pink balls, which do not cause signs or symptoms and which are organized in 1 or 2 rows.

Pearly papules do not spread or change in size and shape over time, and they tend to disappear as a man ages.

How to confirm the diagnosis

To confirm pearly papules, it is important to consult a urologist, who will carry out a visual assessment of the penis, and it is not necessary to carry out specific tests.

However, in some situations, especially when the man reports symptoms, the doctor may recommend skin biopsy and blood tests to rule out STIs, such as molluscum contagiosum and HPV, for example.

Cause of pearly papules

Pearly papules are structures naturally present in men, becoming more visible during sexual intercourse, as they are related to the production of lubricating liquid to facilitate penetration.

How the treatment is carried out

It is not necessary to carry out treatment for pearly papules, as they are structures naturally present in humans and are not related to diseases.

However, some men may experience aesthetic discomfort and, therefore, the urologist may recommend certain treatments, such as cauterization or surgery to remove pearly papules.