Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAppearanceCausesPPPs vs. Genital WartsTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Appearance
Causes
PPPs vs. Genital Warts
Treatment
Pearly penile papules (PPP) are common, harmless bumps that develop around the base of the head of thepenis.
Also known ashirsutoid papillomasorhirsuties papillaris genitalis, these bumps are normal and thought to affect as many as 48% of people with penises.
PPPs pose no health concerns and do not require treatment. Still, some people opt for cryotherapy (cold therapy) or other procedures to remove them, particularly if they are pronounced.
This article looks at the symptoms and causes of pearly penile papules. It also discusses treatment options and the differences between PPPs and genital warts.
Biserka Stojanovic/ iStock/ Getty Images Plus
As their name suggests, PPPs are tinybumps (papules) on the penisthat often have a slightly pearlescent sheen. They can also be flesh-colored or have a pinkish or yellowish hue.
PPPs tend to develop in the second or third decade of life. They are not a sign of poor hygiene or any health problem. And, they do not cause any symptoms such as itchiness or pain.
PPPs can vary in appearance from one person to the next but tend to have characteristic features. Among them:
Can Pearly Penile Papules Change?Once a person develops PPPS, they typically remain for life. The bumps can fade with age, but they generally do not change color or shape. Moreover, they do not spread and are not associated with a risk of cancer.
Can Pearly Penile Papules Change?
Once a person develops PPPS, they typically remain for life. The bumps can fade with age, but they generally do not change color or shape. Moreover, they do not spread and are not associated with a risk of cancer.
What Does Penile Cancer Look Like?
Impact of PPPs on Sex
Although pearly penile papules do not interfere with sexual function, they may worry you, particularly if you have large visible papules.
A survey published in theAmerican Journal of Men’s Healthfound that among 95 people with PPPs. 38% were “worried or concerned” about the bumps, and 17% wanted to have them removed.
The main concern was that the bumps would be mistaken for asexually transmitted infection (STI)like HPV. Furthermore, their appearance might suggest that the person “did something” to get them, leading to problems with intimacy and trust in relationships.
What Causes Pearly Penile Papules?
Pearly penile papules are a type ofangiofibroma, These are a wide range of benign (non-cancerous) papules that can develop on the skin ormucus membranesthroughout the body.
There is no explanation as to why some people get PPPs, and others don’t. Even so, they are considered normal and may simply be avestigial remnant(meaning an anatomical structure like the appendix that no longer serves a vital function in its current form).
PPPs may actually serve some purpose. Along with tiny glands calledFordyce spots(which are on most penises), PPPs secrete oils that may keep the head of the penis moist.
Are They PPPs or Genital Warts?
Although commonly mistaken for STIs like genital warts, pearly penile papules are not contagious or something you can “catch.” PPPs are distinguishable from genital warts in several key ways:
Pearly Penile PapulesLocated along the base of the head of the penisSmall, shiny bumps that are fairly uniform in size and shapeCan be white, pink, yellowish, or flesh-colorGrow close together in linesTend to develop in a person’s 20s or 30sGenital WartsCan occur anywhere on the penis, foreskin, scrotum, or groinIrregular in shape and texture, often described as cauliflower-likeTypically flesh-coloredOften grows in clustersCan occur at any age
Pearly Penile PapulesLocated along the base of the head of the penisSmall, shiny bumps that are fairly uniform in size and shapeCan be white, pink, yellowish, or flesh-colorGrow close together in linesTend to develop in a person’s 20s or 30s
Located along the base of the head of the penis
Small, shiny bumps that are fairly uniform in size and shape
Can be white, pink, yellowish, or flesh-color
Grow close together in lines
Tend to develop in a person’s 20s or 30s
Genital WartsCan occur anywhere on the penis, foreskin, scrotum, or groinIrregular in shape and texture, often described as cauliflower-likeTypically flesh-coloredOften grows in clustersCan occur at any age
Can occur anywhere on the penis, foreskin, scrotum, or groin
Irregular in shape and texture, often described as cauliflower-like
Typically flesh-colored
Often grows in clusters
Can occur at any age
How to Get Rid of Pearly Penile Papules
Pearly penile papules are harmless and do not require treatment. However, if their appearance is causing you distress or impacting your relationships, it is not unreasonable to speak with a specialist, such as aurologistordermatologist, about ways to remove them.
Options include:
What Not to DoNever try to pop or pick at a pearly penile papule, as this can cause bleeding, infection, and scarring. The same applies to over-the-counter wart removers that can cause severe burns, disfigurement, and the hardening of damaged tissues.
What Not to Do
Never try to pop or pick at a pearly penile papule, as this can cause bleeding, infection, and scarring. The same applies to over-the-counter wart removers that can cause severe burns, disfigurement, and the hardening of damaged tissues.
Summary
Pearly penile papules are common, harmless bumps that develop around the base of the head of the penis. They do not cause symptoms and do not need to be treated.
Even so, they can be distressing to some people who find them unsightly or fear that they might be mistaken for genital warts. In such cases, treatments like cryotherapy or laser treatments can be used to remove them.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Aldahan AS, Brah TK, Nouri K.Diagnosis and management of pearly penile papules.Am J Mens Health. 2018;12(3):624-7, doi:10.1177/1557988316654138Honigman AD, Dubin DP, Chu J, Lin MJ.Management of pearly penile papules: a review of the literature.J Cutan Med Surg. 2020;24(1):79-85. doi:10.1177/1203475419887730Kumar P, Das A, Savant SS.Multiple shiny papules on the shaft of the penis.Indian J Dermatol. 2015;60(3):325. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.156491Bannerman M, Proom T.Sexually acquired infections. In:Sexual Health.Ed. Baker K. Chichester, England: Wiley-Blackwell Publishers; 2009.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Aldahan AS, Brah TK, Nouri K.Diagnosis and management of pearly penile papules.Am J Mens Health. 2018;12(3):624-7, doi:10.1177/1557988316654138Honigman AD, Dubin DP, Chu J, Lin MJ.Management of pearly penile papules: a review of the literature.J Cutan Med Surg. 2020;24(1):79-85. doi:10.1177/1203475419887730Kumar P, Das A, Savant SS.Multiple shiny papules on the shaft of the penis.Indian J Dermatol. 2015;60(3):325. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.156491Bannerman M, Proom T.Sexually acquired infections. In:Sexual Health.Ed. Baker K. Chichester, England: Wiley-Blackwell Publishers; 2009.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Aldahan AS, Brah TK, Nouri K.Diagnosis and management of pearly penile papules.Am J Mens Health. 2018;12(3):624-7, doi:10.1177/1557988316654138Honigman AD, Dubin DP, Chu J, Lin MJ.Management of pearly penile papules: a review of the literature.J Cutan Med Surg. 2020;24(1):79-85. doi:10.1177/1203475419887730Kumar P, Das A, Savant SS.Multiple shiny papules on the shaft of the penis.Indian J Dermatol. 2015;60(3):325. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.156491Bannerman M, Proom T.Sexually acquired infections. In:Sexual Health.Ed. Baker K. Chichester, England: Wiley-Blackwell Publishers; 2009.
Aldahan AS, Brah TK, Nouri K.Diagnosis and management of pearly penile papules.Am J Mens Health. 2018;12(3):624-7, doi:10.1177/1557988316654138
Honigman AD, Dubin DP, Chu J, Lin MJ.Management of pearly penile papules: a review of the literature.J Cutan Med Surg. 2020;24(1):79-85. doi:10.1177/1203475419887730
Kumar P, Das A, Savant SS.Multiple shiny papules on the shaft of the penis.Indian J Dermatol. 2015;60(3):325. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.156491
Bannerman M, Proom T.Sexually acquired infections. In:Sexual Health.Ed. Baker K. Chichester, England: Wiley-Blackwell Publishers; 2009.
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