Itchy penis, genital warts

Hi there,

I'm 22 y.o. male, got infected with HPV virus ~5 months ago. I noticed genital warts, went to doctor, got tested for STDs (Herpes, Syphilis, HIV, Hepatitis B, etc.) - all negative. The doctor prescribed me Wobenzym(15 capsules per day) and Wartec(liquid I should be putting on warts to make them go away). I did Wartec course twice(2 times / day for 4 days) and am consuming Wobenzym(15 capsules per day). Some warts became smaller, some dissapeared, one wart is growing. My penis gets very itchy from time to time. There is also a red sore on my penis skin. Could it be some skin infection? What tests should I do to find out? I also went and did a big health check - a whole bunch of tests, the doctors told me I'm fine. I'm still worried though. HPV can cause anal cancer, right? Anything else? I think I should be making regular tests for diseases, which can be caused by HPV. Please advise.

thanks for your time,
Andrew.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your post is a little disjointed.  I will comment on the things that I feel are appropriate and if you need further questions, ask.

The topic of HPV and genital warts is a complex one.  I will try to provide some facts.  For addition information on this most common of STDs, I would suggest search for other HPV- and wart-related Q&A on this site, as well seeking addition information on sites such as the American Social health Association web-site (disclosure, Dr. Handsfield and I are both on the Board of ASHA)..

Now, on to HPV.  HPV is the most commonly acquired STD.  Over 85% of sexually active women will have HPV infection at some time in their lives.  There less data for men but the numbers are likely to be similar.  There are over 100 different types of HPV.   In some certain types of HPV will cause genital warts, in others other types it will not cause warts but may lead to changes in PAP smears in women.  The types of HPV that cause visible warts such as you have are not  strongly associated with cancer.  In nearly everyone who gets HPV, warts or otherwise, the infections will resolve by themselves without therapy in 8-10 months.  In a very small minority of women, HPV infection can persist and lead to the pre-cancerous lesions that PAP smears detect and which can then be treated.  With this as background,

1.  Wartec is a compound which causes podophyllin, one of the recommended treatments for genital warts.  A side effect is that it can cause soreness and sores where applied.  If it does this, it should not be used again until the sore has healed.  If it is not helping, you should see a dermatologist who may recommend other therapy.

2.  Wobenzyme has never been rigorously scientifically studied for wart/HPV treatment and is not recommended by the CDC for this purpose.  I know little more aobut it.

3.  An itchy penis can be caused by just about anything. The way to address it is to see your doctor.  If he/she says all is OK, then it probably is.

Hope this helps.  Check out the web sites I just suggested.  EWH

[Andrew1986]

Good info, thanks doc.