Sebaceous glands

For about four years now I have had what I believe to be enlarged sebaceous glands on my penis.  They are very small, (1-3 mm in diameter) don't cause any discomfort or problems and seem to be permanent.  I saw a doctor about them within the past year and he said that they were just hair follicles but I am still a little unsure.  Slowly but surely more spots continue to appear and I now have at least 100 bumps on my penis.  I am circumcised and I would say about 75 percent of the bumps are concentrated on the left upper portion of my penis and the rest are scattered on the head and on the other side of the upper portion.  By upper portion I am describing the skin that is more tender and where the foreskin was cut away.  I am just confused because this is an area that does not grow hair and it is restricted for some reason to only this upper portion of my penis.  I know that everyone has enlarged sebaceous glands to some degree but I just feel like if that is indeed what these bumps are than mine is extremely bad and will only continue to get worse.  I know that it is very hard for you to diagnose the problem without seeing it.  I am only 21 and still a virgin but I was hoping that regardless of what you think my condition is that you could explain to me specifically what is going on when these particular harmless sebaceous glands become enlarged.  I can't find detailed information anywhere.  Thanks!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

From your description, these are almost certainly small cysts, which are quite common in the areas you describe.  Hair growth is not necessary for these to develop.  I don't think it's appropriate to think of such normal anatomical variations as "extremely bad," nor should you assume that they "will only continue to get worse."  Please let a dermatologist have a look so you can find out for sure and, in all probability, let the cysts be.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff