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If you have noticed rough bumps around your penis, you may have a condition called Pearly Penile Papules (PPP). It is more common than you would think. If you are concerned or worried about it, we encourage you to speak to your doctor.
PPP are small bumps that usually appear on the shaft just below the head of the penis. They are skin-colored and occur right around the penis. You may be surprised to know that Pearly Penile Papules are essentially a normal variation of what the penis can look like. These bumps usually appear early in life. They are often inaccurately mistaken for sexually transmitted lesions or skin irregularities like molluscum contagiosum, viral warts, or Fordyce spots. The good news is that they are not caused by infection or any kind of disease. Men may worry that these bumps could be a sign of cancer or some other type of abnormality. This is simply not the case. They are quite harmless.
They actually occur quite frequently. About 38% of men under the age of 25 have PPP. It seems that they tend to disappear as men age since only 11% of men 50 and over exhibit this penile manifestation.
It should also be noted that it is more prevalent in uncircumcised men. Statistics indicate the following percentages regarding circumcision and Pearly Penile Papules:
Circumcised – 27%
Uncircumcised – 42%
Many men panic when they see bumps on their penises, thinking that they have contracted genital warts. However, Pearly Penile Papules (PPP) and genital warts are different in appearance. Warts are cauliflower-shaped growths that are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and are sexually transmitted. Pearly Penile Papules (PPP) on the other hand are smaller in size and are more orderly arranged.
Additionally, Pearly Penile Papules (PPP) are not painful. They also do not cause itching or any similar type of irritation. They do not increase in size. They are harmless to both you and your sexual partners. They are not transmissible like genital warts that are a contagious STD. If you are unsure about exactly what you have, visit our clinic for STD screening and treatment if necessary.
You may still want to have them removed for aesthetic reasons. They can be removed by electrosurgery.
Your appointment will start with a physical examination. The doctor must first reach a clear diagnosis and effectively rule out any other causes for the bumps on your penis.
The procedure is painless and will not exceed 15 minutes. Recovery takes about a week and while there is a risk of reoccurrence, it is small.
We encourage you to speak to your doctor if you are interested in PPP Removal. You can call or email us to make an appointment if you would like to explore this option.
