The genitals are organs that require a lot of care and attention since they are very prone to suffer alterations or suffer from sexually transmitted diseases after initiating sexual life. These diseases are spread by direct contact with a person who has the disease. That is why it is necessary to emphasize the importance of protection methods during sexual intercourse. Today, there are many types of sexually transmitted diseases, of which some of the most common are those produced by the human papillomavirus or HPV. This virus can cause warts in the genital area, such as the penis, which may go unnoticed in many cases until diagnosed by a doctor. That is why this FastlyHealarticle aims to explain everything about warts on the penis: causes and how to eliminate them.
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What are warts on the penis?
Warts on the penis are whitish bumps that look like cauliflower and are formed by an overgrowth of the layers of the skin in a specific area. They can be located in the different parts of the penis, such as the glans, foreskin, scrotum, or inside the urethra. It is an alteration that is becoming more frequent every day due to the increase in unprotected sexual activity throughout the world.
How to know if I have genital warts
In reality, the number of symptoms that warts on the penis manifest are very few, and their discovery is usually fortuitous during a routine clinical examination or because the affected person notices that warts have appeared where there were none, but not because there is a symptom that the consultation takes it.
Warts can be of various sizes and appear from one to several warts. Its symptoms can cause itching and induce bleeding in case of scratching very hard. These warts may not hurt and appear in weeks, months, or years.
Causes of male genital warts
Warts on the genitals are caused by infection with HPV (human papillomavirus). The contagion originates through sexual relations with infected people.
This virus has several strains or types (around 180), many may not cause problems, and others cause warts not only on the genitals but also on other parts of the human body. Generally, Strains 6 and 11 are the ones that are related to genital warts. The person may not see the appearance of warts but may observe them over time. Their onset is between 6 weeks to 6 months, and sometimes you may not notice them until years have passed.
The contagion to another person can occur even if there are no warts, and it does not mean that by being in contact, warts will appear. Similarly, this disease presents risk factors: those who have many sexual partners, do not use condoms, consume tobacco and alcohol, have herpes, are stressed, pregnant, or with a weakened immune system. In the case of observing warts in a child, one should suspect sexual abuse.
How to remove warts on the penis
The treatment for penile warts depends on the severity and location, and the same; the doctor can select the treatment depending on what he considers best for each case. The most frequent procedures are:
- Application of chemicals to stop the growth of warts on the penis or make them disappear. Generally, the sequence of this treatment should be done once a week.
- Remove warts with cryotherapy (through cold).
- Use a cream prescribed by the doctor to apply on warts for weeks.
- Surgical removal of warts with the use of a scalpel.
- Burning warts with electric current.
All these mentioned treatments effectively eliminate warts on the penis, reducing its symptoms and the chances of transmitting the human papillomavirus. In case of discomfort, the doctor may administer an anesthetic.
However, this treatment only removes warts, but not the virus that causes them; in some cases, people can get warts again. In the following FastlyHealarticle, we delve into whether or not HPV is cured.
Once warts have been removed, you should maintain proper hygiene in the area, do not scratch, wash your hands once you have touched the penis, do not have sex without a condom, and even more, if you have discomfort. And in case of itching and discomfort, you can apply a cold compress to the area to reduce symptoms, and more if there is pain or inflammation, and in other cases, take pain relievers.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Warts on the penis: causes and how to eliminate them, we recommend entering our Male reproductive system category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.