Treatment of Pearly Penile Papules

  
A thousand questions may be running through your mind right now. What in the world is that bump? Did I catch a disease? Do I have cancer? Stop. Take a deep breath. Relax. While it can be unnerving to find bumps on your penis, there may be a simple and benign explanation. Though you should have it checked out by a doctor just to be sure, your diagnosis is likely pearly penile papules, scientifically referred to as hirsuties papillaris genitalis. What? Despite the funny alliteration, finding these bumps can be really scary and an uncomfortable topic to bring up to your doctor. But, once you know what they are, you can figure out what you want to do about them.

What Are Pearly Penile Papules?

Officially known as Hirsuties papillaris genitalis, pearly penile papules are small skin-colored bumps that form on the penis, often in rows encircling the sulcus or corona. They are not open and do not pop or “seep.” They do not cause physical irritation, though some men report a sensation they find unpleasant. The condition is physically harmless and can not be spread through sexual contact. The bumps or lesions most commonly develop on men in their 20s and 30s and fade and decrease in frequency as men progress in age. Uncircumcised men tend to develop them at a higher rate than those who are circumcised. Statistics are vague on how common PPP is, with reports ranging from 8%-48%. Though the condition is considered a “normal variant” that does not need treatment, some men suffer psychological distress over the condition, feeling social and sexual embarrassment. The cause of pearly penile papules is unknown at this point.

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