PPPs pose no health concerns and do not require treatment.
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
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.
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.
A survey published in theAmerican Journal of Men’s Healthfound that among 95 people with PPPs.
The main concern was that the bumps would be mistaken for asexually transmitted infection (STI)like HPV.
What Causes Pearly Penile Papules?
There is no explanation as to why some people get PPPs, and others don’t.
PPPs may actually serve some purpose.
Are They PPPs or Genital Warts?
They do not cause symptoms and do not need to be treated.
In such cases, treatments like cryotherapy or laser treatments can be used to remove them.
Aldahan AS, Brah TK, Nouri K.Diagnosis and management of pearly penile papules.Am J Mens Health.
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Bannerman M, Proom T.Sexually acquired infections.
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Baker K. Chichester, England: Wiley-Blackwell Publishers; 2009.
