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HPV or normal bumpy skin
First off, thank you for taking the time to answer my questions and for the site in general. I have noticed a small skin colored bump near the opening of my penis (27 year old, circumsized). I believe it has been there for quite a long time, something I noticed but didn't think much of. I did bring it to the attention on my Primary Care Doctor in December who said he didn't believe it was really anything I should even be concerned about but didn't sound confident. Previous to my current girlfriend, I had not been sexually active for over 2 years. However, since we have started having unprotected sex in January, I have been over-examining. I have noticed that there are several tiny pin head sized bumps that are located on the right side of the penis head (they are not pearly penile papules) and they look like they are starting to form on the left side as well (the skin looks a little bit like sand paper at times). I do not know if this is due to friction from working out (I have been running a lot lately), friction from sex, or hpv. The bumps are not very noticeable unless I the penis is erect but if I stretch the skin when flaccid, I can see them. After we're done having sex, the skin on the head of the penis does look quite dry and the bumps are more pronounced so I have used lotion on it. Before we became sexually active, we were both tested for everything that can be tested for w/ urine or blood samples, so I know I can rule out other STD's except for HPV. There are no bumps on the shaft, base of the shaft, or testicles, I guess my biggest questions would be:
1) based on the information, and I know you can't make a diagnosis w/out an in person visit, would this lead you to believe that HPV is the cause of the bumps.
2)I have read that as we age, the skin on the head of the penis changes and that the rough texture or bumps could be completely normal, at 27 could this be the case?
Thank you for any insight you may be able to provide!
1) based on the information, and I know you can't make a diagnosis w/out an in person visit, would this lead you to believe that HPV is the cause of the bumps.
2)I have read that as we age, the skin on the head of the penis changes and that the rough texture or bumps could be completely normal, at 27 could this be the case?
Thank you for any insight you may be able to provide!
I just had my dermatologist appointment and he said exactly what you said; it is just normal bumpy skin and that I shouldn't worry about it. Thank you again for your insight, it is most certainly appreciated!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm glad to hear you're a bit less anxious about it. Let me know what the dermatologist says. My bet is that your penile skin is not abnormal.
Thank you for your quick response Doctor. After reading your comments, I believe that there is really nothing to worry about as I've searched online and have been unable to find a picture that resembles what I'm trying to describe. I, by coincidence, have a dermatologist appointment this week so I may show him anyways to put my mind at ease once and for all. Again, thank you!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. I'll try to help.
Answering your second question first: exactly right. Penile skin in most 27 year olds probably tends to look more irregular or "rough" than at, say, age 20. I suspect this is what you are noticing.
As for the specific skin-colored bump you describe, you are correct that I cannot tell what it is just from your description. But probably not; it sounds like a normal "skin tag". You don't say what you mean by "quite a long time", but genital warts generally clear up on their own within a few months to a couple of years, and usually there are multiple warts, not just one. And they look like.... well, warts. And although your doctor was apparently not very knowledgeable about herpes (having scanned your discussion on the herpes forum), his opinion that the bump isn't a wart probably is reliable. As for the other minor bumps and variable skin texture, this also sounds like you're just noticing normal sebaceous glands or other normal variations in skin texture.
Genital warts can be viewed as having two broad categories: "flat warts", which are completely invisible, i.e. the skin appears entirely normal; and exophytic warts, i.e. those you can see. The latter are hard to miss, even on casual inspection. Many websites have photos of genital; here is one of them: http://www.genitalwartsreport.com/genital-warts-pictures/ (I'm not endorsing that site; it just came up near the top of a quick google search.) Look all you want: you won't find any posted photos of simply "rough" skin or variations in penile skin texture. HPV doesn't do that.
Having had at least a handful of sex partners, even with generaly consistent condom use (once again, from your herpes question) you can assume you have had HPV and may still have one. Getting genital HPV is inevitable in just about all sexually active persons. But if you happen to be infected, it probably has nothing to do with the penile skin appearances you describe. You could see a dermatologist for a more definitive opinion about it, but I really don't think it's necessary unless and until you see the kinds of lesions shown at the link above. Happily, the large majority of HPV infections remain asymptomatic and never cause warts or any other health problem, and they go away on their own.
Finally, I encourage you to try to stop closely inspecting yourself. The casual glance when you shower or use the toilet is all that's required for men to be confident nothing is seriously wrong.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Answering your second question first: exactly right. Penile skin in most 27 year olds probably tends to look more irregular or "rough" than at, say, age 20. I suspect this is what you are noticing.
As for the specific skin-colored bump you describe, you are correct that I cannot tell what it is just from your description. But probably not; it sounds like a normal "skin tag". You don't say what you mean by "quite a long time", but genital warts generally clear up on their own within a few months to a couple of years, and usually there are multiple warts, not just one. And they look like.... well, warts. And although your doctor was apparently not very knowledgeable about herpes (having scanned your discussion on the herpes forum), his opinion that the bump isn't a wart probably is reliable. As for the other minor bumps and variable skin texture, this also sounds like you're just noticing normal sebaceous glands or other normal variations in skin texture.
Genital warts can be viewed as having two broad categories: "flat warts", which are completely invisible, i.e. the skin appears entirely normal; and exophytic warts, i.e. those you can see. The latter are hard to miss, even on casual inspection. Many websites have photos of genital; here is one of them: http://www.genitalwartsreport.com/genital-warts-pictures/ (I'm not endorsing that site; it just came up near the top of a quick google search.) Look all you want: you won't find any posted photos of simply "rough" skin or variations in penile skin texture. HPV doesn't do that.
Having had at least a handful of sex partners, even with generaly consistent condom use (once again, from your herpes question) you can assume you have had HPV and may still have one. Getting genital HPV is inevitable in just about all sexually active persons. But if you happen to be infected, it probably has nothing to do with the penile skin appearances you describe. You could see a dermatologist for a more definitive opinion about it, but I really don't think it's necessary unless and until you see the kinds of lesions shown at the link above. Happily, the large majority of HPV infections remain asymptomatic and never cause warts or any other health problem, and they go away on their own.
Finally, I encourage you to try to stop closely inspecting yourself. The casual glance when you shower or use the toilet is all that's required for men to be confident nothing is seriously wrong.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
