Something’s not right. You notice that you have these dome-shaped papules on your penis, and it’s on the glans penis. You may even see rows of these glands located along the circumference of the penis, and this can be worrisome.
[alert-warning]The good news is this: you likely have pearly penile papules.[/alert-warning]
What is Pearly Penile Papules?
This is a condition in which protuberances will form on the ridge of your penile glans. This doesn’t look attractive, but the good news is that this is a natural occurrence.
So, are pearly penile papules an STD? No.
This is a completely natural phenomenon, and when you have this issue, you won’t need to worryabout having sexual intercourse or passing it on to a partner.
But you probably don’t want to live with these weird bumps on your penis.
What Causes PPP?
No one knows for sure what causes PPP. This is a condition that comes on with no real reason as to why it occurs. Men don’t even need to have sex for PPP to be present, so it’s an occurrence that is a complete mystery to science.
There are sparse studies on the topic since it doesn’t pose a risk to the sufferer.
And since this isn’t a disease or cause for concern, most men just want to know how to get rid of the condition. Pearly penile papules on the shaft isn’t the most attractive thing when having intercourse with someone.
Most partners will be concerned that this is an STD, so remedying the problem is the first course of action.
What are the Symptoms of PPP?
Before we go into detail on pearly penile papules removal, you need to make sure that you’re dealing with the right condition. Getting tested for STDs is highly recommended. There is a chance you’ve contracted genital warts or another STD, which is cause for concern.
If you’ve had sexual intercourse with a new partner before the condition presented, get tested.
As for the symptoms, there aren’t many to speak of since you won’t get sick or ill from the condition. A few characteristics of PPP include:
- Color: Skin-colored
- Size: Small, 1 mm – 3 mm
- Shape: Dome-like
The bumps or skin-colored domes can be found in a single ring around the head of the penis or in double rows.
Traditionally, the color of PPP is skin-colored, so it’s a small “growth” in most scenarios. Some suffers will note that their PPP is of a different color, which may be: yellow, white or pink.
You didn’t get this condition due to poor hygiene – that’s a fact. And in terms of sexual intercourse, PPP will not have an impact on your sex life. The main issue is a lack of awareness from sufferers that think they now have an STD.
Pearly Penile Papules Vs Genital Warts
A lot of sufferers assume that they have genital warts when they have PPP. The key reason for this misconception is that both are a form of growth. And most people don’t spend their time looking at pictures of genital warts to know what these warts look like.
Genital warts are caused by HPV.
HPV is a sexually-transmitted infection. The warts art contagious, and they won’t be found just around the penile glands. Instead, the warts can be transmitted and present near the:
- Penis
- Anus
- Mouth
- Tongue
- Thighs
Genital warts are highly contagious, so you can transmit them to a partner easily.
If you can’t distinguish between the two, make a call to have an STD test done. The faster you get treatment, the better. You’ll also have less risk of transmitting the STD to a partner, and will, at the very least, be aware that the problem exists.
How to Get Rid of Pearly Penile Papules at Home
PPP is harmless, and the biggest risk is scaring a partner away. But pearly penile papules removal at home is plausible. A lot of suffers choose to do nothing, and over time, a lot of people find that their PPP disappears.
This is the best-case scenario.
But if you want to take action while you’re in the comfort of your own home, you can choose to do the following:
1. Creams
There are creams that work to get rid of PPP. The effectiveness varies from one sufferer to the next, and these creams may or may not work for you. AHA creams are most popular, and the concentration level of AHA is low, so it’s not a concern.
Apply the cream 2 – 3 times daily.
Over the course of a few weeks, the signs of PPP will start to disappear.
Of course, when you choose creams, make sure that you read all ingredients and proceed with caution. Only trust high-quality products when applying to the penis for best results.
2. Castor Oil
Castor oil is an oil everyone should have in their homes. This oil is used in numerous medicinal treatments, and it has antibacterial properties that keeps the area clean of bacteria. The goal is to:
- Clean the shaft as normal
- Allow the area to dry
- Apply castor oil
This method can be followed 3 – 4 times daily for best results. If the penis can remain uncovered, the results are amplified. This treatment should continue until the penis is completely bump-free.
How to Get Rid of PPP Medically
How much does it cost to remove PPP? It depends on the method used to treat the issue. Dermatologists suggest that 10% of men have PPP, and many of them denounce the at-home methods, stating that they don’t work.
You never want to pop or pick at PPP bumps.
Irritation to the area can occur, and there is a risk of infection which will require a trip to a medical professional.
CO2 Laser Surgery
A recommended treatment method. The CO2 laser method is used by dermatologists, and it’s a painless method that will remove the growths.
Radio Surgery
Radio surgery is a valid method, and highly rated beams of radiation are concentrated on the penis to remove PPP. This method is deemed less precise than CO2 laser surgery, and a lot of men don’t feel comfortable exposing their penis to such high levels of radiation.
Radiation can have a negative impact on fertility and sperm count.
Many sufferers that have underwent radio surgery state that the PPP came back in the future. This is a concern, and it’s based on the radiation not targeting the root cause of the problem.
Cryo Surgery
Cryo surgery is a good option, but it may take more than one session to cure your PPP. This method works by injecting liquid nitrogen into the PPP. The goal is to cause the papule layers to freeze and fall off.
This method is used for warts and growths, so it’s very effective.
Electro Desiccation
A painful removal method. This method uses electric currents that are focused on the papule granules. Electro desiccation will leave behind tissue after the treatment, which is removed by scraping the area clean.
Only choose electro desiccation if it’s performed by a highly-trained surgeon.
Excisional Surgery
The final method, excisional surgery, is not recommended. This method works well for warts and other growth, but there is a high risk of injury. This method is very painful, too. The surgeon will cut off each papule one-by-one, and as a result, this leads to a lot of pain and discomfort.
You won’t be able to have intercourse for quite some time after surgery, and there is a risk of cutting too deep, leaving patients with a loss of sensation.
If you want to know how to get rid of pearly penile papules, it’s advised that you contact a dermatologist to discuss the methods available to you. The good news is that you can wait to make up your mind, as PPP will not cause lasting damage or concerns.
Anyone that is uncertain if they have PPP or a possible sexually transmitted disease or infection is advised to get tested as soon as possible. Prompt treatment and examination can lower the risk of symptoms and help stop the spread of the infection or disease to partners.
