White painless bumps on penis.

Hi, im 15 years old and when i started going through puberty a few years ago i developed the white painless bumps along the shaft of my penis. I bealive they are sebaceous glands but i cant be for sure. I've tried all kinds of stuff to get rid of them but they dont go away and over the years i've got more and more of them. Theres no way its an STD because im scared to let a girl see it, how am i suppose to explain that its natural... and Im embarresed to go to the doctor over it.

So is there anyway that Sebaceous glands can be treated? If so please tell me so i can try it!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Well the bumps hat you have noticed are called Fordyce spots.They are small, painless, raised, pale or white spots or bumps 1 to 3 mm in diameter that may appear on the shaft of the penis. The spots are a form of ectopic sebaceous gland, and are not known to be associated with any disease or illness and are of cosmetic concern only. They are non-infectious and a natural occurrence on the body.

They should be got removed only for cosmetic reasons as they are normally found on the penis. Treatment of Fordyce spots includes CO2 laser or electro desiccation, TCA chemical peels(temporary treatment),diathermy or laser vaporization. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing. Warm regards