Genital Warts in Men: Definition, Misconception, and Treatments

Genital Warts are a highly contagious sexually transmitted diseased which are also known as “veneral warts.” Caused by a form of human papillomavirus or HPV, there are some cases, if left untreated, of HPV strains that may lead to cancer. Genital Warts in men are usually fount on the tip of the penis but may develop on its shaft, the scrotum or around the anus. Genital Warts in women are found on the inside and outside of the cervix, uterus, and vagina and around the anus. Often small cauliflower shaped fresh colored bumps; these warts can be as tiny as 2 millimeters in diameter but can grow in clusters and expand into a larger mass in the genital region.

HPV, as it is normally called in the field of medicine, can be asymptomatic from 3 to 24 months meaning you may already have it but are not showing any symptoms. It is able to enter a person’s mucosal surfaces and skin through small lesions or abrasions in the genital region during sexual intercourse. It is after this situation that HPV may be latent and dormant. Because of this situation, it may be difficult to trace the source of the disease which may also lead to the increase of HPV carriers.

Genital wars in men and women can be easily recognized through direct visual examination which involves an examination of the pelvic region, thighs, as well as the mouth and throat areas. Because of the similarities to other skin conditions in appearances, genital warts can sometimes be misdiagnosed. Common misdiagnosed conditions of genital warts in men are pearly penile papules or PPP, which is also known as Hirsuties papillaris genitalis. This condition is not contagious and there is no need to treat this though some may opt to do so. Another genital warts in men misdiagnosis is MC or Molluscum contagiosum which is a viral skin infection appearing a flesh colored small dome shaped lesions. Genital warts in men should also not be mistaken for Fordyce’s spots—tiny painless pale lumps on the penis shaft.

The treatment for genital warts for men are numerous with the best being over the counter topical medicine such as TCA, podolfilox, imoquiod and Heal Warts which is supposedly an all natural way of healing warts. One can also elect for loop electrosurgical excision procedure or LEEP, cryosurgery which means freezing, CO2 laser surgery and alpha interferon injections.