When Those Penis Bumps Are Warts…

Men who regularly inspect their penis as part of a regular penis health regimen (and that should include all men) are on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary - a rash, discoloration, growths, etc. One thing to be looking for is penis bumps, any raised areas of the skin that were not there previously. Penis bumps can arise for a multitude of reasons, and very often they are no cause for alarm. Sometimes, what may initially appear to be penis bumps may in fact be penis warts - and these need to be identified.

Penis warts

How does a guy know if penis bumps are actually warts? Penis warts are more commonly called genital warts, as they may appear anywhere in the genital area or in or around the anus. They are small and usually skin-colored or grayish in color. They tend to be raised and flat in top, resembling warts commonly found on other parts of the body. Often they appear in clusters.

Cause

Almost all penis warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Many people have heard about HPV and its link to cancer in recent years. Most of the time (but not necessarily all of the time), the forms of HPV that cause genital warts have a lower link to cancer development.

Penis warts are considered a sexually-transmitted infection (STI), because the transmission of HPV almost always is through sexual means. It is the most common STI transmitted by way of a virus. (BTW, 20% of individuals with genital warts also have another form of STI.)

Penis warts are enormously contagious; it is easy to become infected after just one sexual encounter with a person who has them. Condom use can cut down on the risk of infection significantly, as can being vaccinated against HPV.

Complicating matters are two facts: (1) Many people who become infected with HPV don’t develop warts and so they may be unaware of the infection, and (2) many people who become infected may not develop warts for months after they became infected. And a person can pass on the infection even if they do not have warts.

Treatment

There are numerous treatments that might work to remove penis warts. These include chemical treatments, applied once a week in a clinic setting for several weeks; at-home crème treatments, again for several weeks; or physical removal of the warts. The latter takes several forms, including freezing or burning the warts off, which should be conducted by a medical professional.

It’s important to note that over-the-counter medications for removing warts are designed for warts that appear on other parts of the body; a man should not use them to remove penis warts, as this can lead to serious skin damage.

Even after penis warts are removed, the virus that caused them is likely to still be present in the body. It’s important to discuss this with a doctor to determine what steps to take to decrease the likelihood of transmission of the virus or what to do if warts recur.

Penis bumps, whether in the form of warts or not, are never a pleasant experience for a man. Often maintaining overall penis health can help lower the likelihood of penis bumps, so be sure to regularly use a top notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Since bumps often come with some degree of soreness, choose a crème that includes a pair of potent moisturizers, such as a high-end emollient (Shea butter is excellent) and a natural hydrator (look for vitamin E). It also pays to select a crème with vitamin D, which has proven benefits in fighting diseases and supporting healthy cellular function.

Penis Health News and HPV - Why Vaccination Is Not Just for Women

In recent months, the common virus known as human papillomavirus (HPV) has been frequently featured in the news. While the focus has been mainly on vaccination for women, men, too, need to become educated about this virus and about the vaccine that safeguards against it. Avoiding genital warts and other HPV-related issues is part and parcel of good penis health, so read on and learn.

What is HPV?
HPV is one of the most common viruses; the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that most unvaccinated sexually active adults will contract HPV at some point in their lives.

Isn’t HPV just a woman thing?
A lot of HPV education centers on women, largely because there’s an association between HPV and cervical cancer. But men are equally likely to get HPV.

What happens with HPV in men?
Sometimes, HPV comes with no symptoms; however, men with HPV often end up with genital warts. As a matter of fact, the CDC estimates that at any time, 1% of sexually active men are experiencing genital warts.

The warts themselves are more of a nuisance than a health problem. They can appear on or around the penis, testicles, groin area, thighs or anus. Their shape and size vary, and while they do not cause pain, they can be very off-putting.

Men with genital warts have an obligation to let any sexual partners know about them. They should also practice protected sex (with a condom); however, HPV may be present even when no warts are visible, and it may be passed on through contact with areas not covered by the condom.

Genital warts can be removed through a variety of methods, but they tend to recur; it may take several removal sessions to be rid of them.

Is there a cancer risk with HPV?
Cancers of the penis, anus and throat have an association with HPV, but instances of HPV causing these cancers are rare. They also are not caused by the same type of HPV that causes genital warts. Still, it’s a good idea for a man to monitor his penis and groin area for any signs of abnormalities and report them to a doctor - just to be safe.

Only about 400 men in the U.S. develop HPV-related penis cancer in any given year; for HPV-related anal cancer, the rate is about 1500. It’s somewhat higher for throat cancer; however, most of those come about due to issues other than HPV, such as smoking.

What about the vaccine?
The good news is that there is now a vaccine (called Gardasil) that can help protect against HPV. The not-so-good news is that it is effective only in men who are 26 years of age or younger. The CDC recommends that boys receive the vaccination when they are 11 or 12 years old and that any male can receive it up through age 26. However, it is most effective when given to a male who is not yet sexually active, because once he becomes sexually active, the chances of already being infected increase significantly.

The vaccine is multi-stage, meaning it is given in three doses over a period of six months. There aren’t any serious side effects associated with the vaccine, which should be encouraging for men who are worried about adverse reactions. Men over the age of 26 shouldn’t despair about not being able to get the HPV vaccine; as mentioned before, most people with HPV do not experience any significant symptoms, and those with genital warts can be treated.

Men who regularly and appropriately monitor their genitals as part of their daily penis health routine are in the best position to spot any possible signs of HPV. That regular monitoring should also include proper penis hygiene: regular cleaning with a mild cleanser that will not irritate the skin. It’s also vital that men incorporate a top quality penis vitamin cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) into their daily penis health regimen. For optimal results, men should seek out a cream that includes both acetyl L carnitine and alpha lipoic acid; the two ingredients work together synergistically to produce maximum benefit. Also essential in a cream is the presence of vitamin A, the antibacterial qualities of which can fight that annoying and off-putting penis odor.