Warts on the penis are a symptom of infection caused by the HPV virus, the Human Papillomavirus, and appear mainly on the head of the penis, with the characteristics of being the same color as the skin, and may be smooth or similar to cauliflower.
The wart on the penis, also known as condyloma acuminata or cockscomb, is transmitted mainly through sexual intercourse without using a condom. See how penile warts are transmitted.
Although there is no treatment that can eliminate the HPV virus from the body, the treatments recommended by the urologist, such as the use of creams and ointments, laser, surgery and cryotherapy, help to remove warts, reducing the risk of transmitting the virus to others. people.
Symptoms of a wart on the penis
The main symptoms of a wart on the penis are:
- Small raised lesions, less than 5mm in diameter;
- Warts that are the same color as the skin, but may also be a little darker;
- Warts that are smooth or similar to a cauliflower;
- Itching, redness or irritation in the area;
- Burning sensation or discomfort;
- Spontaneous bleeding from the lesion.
Although they are more common on the head of the penis, also called the glans, genital warts can also appear on the scrotum.
It is important to note that lesions on the penis can appear between 2 months and 20 years after infection and do not cause pain.
Furthermore, in most cases, the wart on the penis is not accompanied by other signs or symptoms, but it can cause psychological distress in men.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of warts on the penis is made by a urologist through evaluation of symptoms, health history and physical examination observing the characteristics of the warts.
In addition, a peniscopy exam can be performed, in which the doctor uses a type of “magnifying glass” to identify very small lesions on the penis, helping to confirm the cause of the wart on the penis. Find out how peniscopy is performed.
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When there is doubt in the diagnosis, the man has a weakened immune system or pigmented lesions or ulcers or bleeding, the doctor can perform a biopsy of the wart.
This biopsy serves to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as molluscum contagiosum or condyloma lata caused by syphilis infection.
What could be a wart on the penis
A wart on the penis, or condyloma acuminata, is usually a sign of a sexually transmitted infection caused by HPV, usually type 6 or 11.
This virus infects the skin and mucous membranes, causing one or more lesions to appear in the genital region, mainly on the glans (head of the penis) of the penis. Understand better what a wart on the penis could be.
How transmission happens
The transmission of warts on the penis occurs through direct contact with the lesions, mainly through sexual intercourse without the use of a condom, whether oral, anal or vaginal, and can even occur without vaginal or anal penetration.
Although it is quite rare, transmission of warts on the penis can also occur through shared use of sex toys, underwear, towels, bathtubs and toilets.
Some risk factors can increase the chances of getting a wart on the penis, such as:
- Having sexual relations with several partners;
- Have had another sexually transmitted infection;
- Having sex with a partner who does not know their health history.
Furthermore, people with a compromised immune system, such as pregnant women, people undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, using immunosuppressant medications and people with HIV/AIDS are also more likely to contract penile warts.
How the treatment is carried out
A cure against HPV is very rare and can only happen when the body can fight the virus naturally. However, some treatments are indicated to eliminate warts, which prevents transmission of the virus to other people.
The treatments recommended to remove warts on the penis vary according to the size and location of the lesions and include the use of medication, surgery, cryotherapy or laser.
1. Medicines
The application of medicines, such as trichloroacetic acid or podophyllotoxin solution, can be carried out by the urologist in the office to eliminate warts on the penis.
In addition, some ointments and creams may also be recommended by the doctor for use at home, such as imiquimod, which should be applied 3 times a week, for up to 16 weeks, and podophyllotoxin, which should be applied to the lesions twice a day. for 3 days in a row.
2. Laser
This type of treatment uses an intense beam of light to destroy the blood vessels in the lesions and reduce blood flow, thus causing cell death and helping to combat warts on the penis.
3. Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a technique in which liquid nitrogen is applied to lesions, reducing blood flow and promoting the death of warts. See how cryotherapy is done.
4. Surgery
This procedure is indicated when previous treatments have failed, when faster treatment is desired in the case of advanced disease, or when it is necessary to evaluate the type of virus causing the wart on the penis.
In addition, surgery may also be indicated in cases of lesions, keratinized or very large warts.
How to prevent
Warts on the penis can be prevented by using a condom in all sexual relations, since the HPV virus is transmitted through unprotected sexual contact with a person who has the virus.
Furthermore, another way to prevent warts on the penis is to take the HPV vaccine, as it covers the main types of HPV that cause genital warts, 6 and 11, in addition to protecting against other types of HPV. See when to get the HPV vaccine.
