Pearly penile papules are whitish, yellowish or pinkish bumps that appear around the head of your penis. Experts don’t know what causes them. But they’re harmless. You don’t need treatment. If pearly penile papules cause you a lot of stress, healthcare providers can remove them.
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Pearly penile papules (PAP-yoolz) are rounded or tiny finger-like growths near the head of your penis (glans). They usually appear in rows. They often look like white spots or pearls. But they may also look yellow or pink. They rarely appear on the shaft of your penis.
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It can be a surprise to you or your partner(s) to see discolored bumps on your penis. You may think you don’t clean the area well enough. Or you may think you have an infection or cancer. But pearly penile papules (PPP) aren’t dangerous. They don’t need treatment.
PPP are common. As many as 14% to 48% of males worldwide may have PPP during their lifetimes. You’re more likely to get them if you’re Black or have foreskin. You’re more likely to notice them during young adulthood.
Other names for PPP include:
There really are no symptoms except for white, pink or yellow-looking bumps on the head of your penis. They may be 1-2 millimeters wide and up to 4 millimeters long — about the size of a grain of rice or a small ladybug. They may also have a dome shape, get smaller toward the end (taper) or have a shape like a ring.
Some people describe them as looking like small pimples. They’re usually more noticeable on the top (dorsal) side of your penis, along the rounded border at the bottom of your glans (corona). But they may cover the entire head of your penis.
Reach out to a healthcare provider if you develop other symptoms and you’re sexually active. Additional symptoms may include:
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Experts don’t know what causes pearly penile papules to affect some males but not others. They often appear during late puberty. But they may go away as you get older. Some believe PPP are vestigial parts of your anatomy — parts that once had a purpose but no longer do.
No, pearly penile papules aren’t a sexually transmitted infection (STI). You can’t get them from anyone, and you can’t give them to anyone else if you have them. It’s OK to have sexual intercourse if you or your partner has PPP. If your partner has any questions, encourage them to talk to a provider before having sex.
Unexpected changes can affect how you feel and think about yourself. Especially in sensitive areas. You may worry about how your penis looks. As a result, you may be less likely to put yourself in situations where others may see your penis. For example, changing in a locker room or having sexual intercourse. This may cause complications like:
Reach out to a healthcare provider if PPP affects your mental or emotional health.
Healthcare providers can usually diagnose PPP simply by looking at the bumps. They may confirm their diagnosis with a dermatoscope. This is a small, microscope-like instrument. It helps providers get a closer look at your penile tissue. With a dermatoscope, your provider can clearly tell the difference between PPP and other types of penile bumps. These include molluscum contagiosum and genital warts.
In most cases, pearly penile papules don’t require treatment. They usually don’t have any symptoms, so there’s no need for pain relievers or any types of lotions or ointments. The papules may resolve as you get older. For many, having a healthcare provider reassure you that there’s no problem is enough.
Some people feel a lot of embarrassment or concern about pearly penile papules. In these cases, healthcare providers can remove the papules by:
Removing PPP may cause complications like:
No. Healthcare providers don’t recommend home treatments for pearly penile papules. Don’t put toothpaste, castor oil or acids like lemon juice on your PPP. Don’t try cutting papules off yourself. If you want to get rid of PPP, talk to a provider.
It’s a good idea to see your healthcare provider if you notice any type of sore, bump or change on your penis. You should also schedule an appointment with your provider if you have PPP and develop STI symptoms.
The outlook for pearly penile papules is excellent. The condition isn’t serious — you don’t need treatment if you have them. You don’t have any health risks if you have PPP.
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It can be a shock to notice changes to sensitive areas of your body. It’s easy for your mind to jump to worst-case scenarios. But pearly penile papules don’t develop because of an STI or cancer. They’re common, harmless bumps. You don’t need to treat them. But if you have concerns, don’t try to treat them by yourself. Talk to a healthcare provider. They can recommend the best treatment, if necessary.
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