When we think of viruses, we think of SARS, influenza, herpes at most. However, there is a virus that causes papilloma on the head of a man’s penis. This is HPV or human papillomavirus.

What has grown on the penis?

Papilloma – growth in the form of papillae on the skin and mucous membranes.

Genital papillomas have been known since ancient Greece. Then they were called “Figs of Hellas”, as they resemble the fruits of a fig tree. The Greeks believed that papillomas on the penis were the retribution of men for homosexuality.

In the middle of the last century, scientists found that the cause of “figs” is the HPV virus. Sexual papillomas are very dangerous.

Often a man discovers neoplasms around the head of the penis. Someone finds information on the forums, someone goes to the doctor. The result will be a diagnosis – papillomatosis .

What might growths look like?

It does not appear immediately. The virus grows, integrates into the DNA of a man, waiting for the main condition for further development – a weakening of the immune system.

Neoplasms are not always harmless, they can cause discomfort, pain. In men, they are very visible. Affect the head of the penis, urethra, scrotum and anus. When growing, they look like broccoli inflorescences.

• A dangerous species that requires treatment is pointed papillomas. Growths can lead to oncology, it is important to detect them as early as possible. Such papillomas develop on the mucous membranes of the penis. They are called condylomas.

The main location in men:

• penis head;
• foreskin;
• bridle;
• around the anus.

It proceeds without symptoms and does not give large growths.

• Also in the penis area, you can find varieties that look like yellowish bumps.
• Then filamentous formations are formed.
• Another type of intimate warts is flat warts. They are flat bumps of skin color.

All types of warts can be painful, start to bleed when rubbed underwear or during intimacy.

Features of papillomavirus on the penis

According to statistics, 50% of men suffer from HPV.

• 90% of cases are genital warts. They often self-heal within two years, sometimes they become the causes of oncology. Formed on the frenulum, foreskin, more traumatic .
• Less commonly, flat papillomas can be found on the male penis. There is no particular difference between them. What matters most is the type of HPV. Cancer strains of the virus form HPV 16, 18.
• A member of a man usually affects 6, 13, 11, genotype 18, 31, 16, 33, 35 strains of the virus. It is they who cause genital warts. Genotype 18, 16, 31, 56, 66, 33, 70 cause cancer of the genital organs.

Most often, these markers are infected sexually or by household. The virus is contagious. Papillomas can be the cause of secondary self-infection . They grow both locally and throughout the body of a man.

How to distinguish from other formations

Moles are brown, papillomas merge with skin color or have a pinkish tint. They can become dark only in case of bleeding.

Moles are not transmitted after intimacy, which cannot be said about papillomas.

It is a mistake to assume that only girls of easy virtue, drug addicts and other people with a traditional risk group can become infected with HPV. Papillomavirus affects everyone who is sexually active.

What is Papillomavirus ?

The most common virus among sexually transmitted diseases. They can get infected several times in a lifetime.

It is not necessary for this to have sex with penetration, for the transmission of the virus, it will be enough for a member to touch the genitals of a partner. Moreover, those men who are promiscuous are more likely to become infected.

Genital warts are highly contagious .

The source is the man himself or the virus carrier. The virus can be found in urine, semen and saliva. You can get infected by kissing.

Types of papillomavirus

HPVs are divided into 3 groups:

Symptoms and signs of infection

There is no standard clinical picture of the disease. Initial signs include:

• the formation of neoplasms and rashes on the skin of the penis, on the head;
• pain and discomfort before and after sex;
• skin itching;
• skin irritation.

It is necessary to diagnose the virus in time to exclude the complication of the disease.

Causes of HPV in men

1. The main reason for the appearance of papillomas on a penis in a man is promiscuity. During sex, the virus enters the body of a man through microcracks. The probability of infection with a single sexual intercourse is about 60%.
2. It is also possible to become infected with this virus through hygienic items shared with the virus carrier.

How is it diagnosed

1. To detect HPV in a man, doctors look at the presence of dysplasia or genital warts on the penis.
2. Dysplasia is detected by the method of cytological examination of smears. In case of a negative smear result, reflective testing is used. It shows what HPV markers the patient is infected with and whether he needs treatment.
3. Men at higher risk should have an anal swab test annually. This includes people who have had receiving anal contact and those who have fewer than 500 CD4 cells.

Warts are caused by the HPV marker, which does not precede cancerous tumors.

Treatment

There are no special vaccines that would completely eliminate HPV. Only clinical, subclinical strains of the virus can be removed.

It is necessary to be treated strictly individually.

If not treated:

• papillomas may disappear on their own;
• may not change;
• may progress to cancer.

The main characteristics for choosing a method of treating the virus:

1. The effectiveness of the method.
2. How often do relapses occur after treatment.
3. Consider method portability.

In addition to removing papillomas, you must:

• treat a man for other STDs;
• monitor outbreaks to prevent further development;
• take measures to treat the virus in the early and late stages;
• to prevent infection, to give patients recommendations about all areas of intimate life and protection.

Treatment Methods

1. Remove by surgical excision.
2. Electrosurgical methods: electrocoagulation, electroacoustics, fulgation , electroexcision .
3. Laser excision method.
4. Cryotherapy.
5. Chemical methods: solutions of acids, alkalis, salts.
6. Combined. For example, use cryodestruction in conjunction with stimulation of the immune system.
7. The use of interferon inducers. Ointment “Imiquimod “.
8. cytotoxic drugs. Kondilin .
9. immunological methods.
10. non-traditional methods.

Should home treatments or removals be used?

Of the folk methods of treatment that will help get rid of growths, we can distinguish:

1. Celandine. Around the hearth, smear the skin with baby cream to avoid burns and cauterize the papilloma with the juice of the plant.
2. An infusion of dandelions in alcohol disinfects and dries the affected area. Tightly fill a glass jar with dandelion heads, pour it with ethyl alcohol. Infuse for 2 weeks. Store in a dark place. Lubricate the affected area with a solution up to 5 times a day.

The effectiveness of home treatments has not been proven.