It’s only natural to be worried whenever you see lumps form on your skin. But for men, in particular, the worry is even greater when you can find them in your genital area.
While most lumps are harmless, others appear as a result of health conditions like sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If the lumps are accompanied by open lesions, pain, and sores, it’s imperative to visit a doctor immediately.
Whatever the case, it’s helpful to know what causes the lumps on your penis to get the right treatment and have peace of mind. If they’re left untreated, they can cause chronic pain, make peeing difficult, limit your ability to get intimate with your partner, and cause a drop in your self-esteem.
Here are the most common causes of penis lumps and their remedies:
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1.Pearly Penile Papules (PPP)
These are tiny pinkish, yellowish, or whitish lumps that form on the crown, tip, or bottom of the head of your penis. They usually pop up somewhere between late puberty and early adulthood. Some men mistake them for signs of an STI. But that’s more of a reflection of stigma than anything else; most of the time, they’re harmless and not even contagious.
Doctors have yet to identify a root cause for penile papules. But they have found some factors that leave men prone to developing them. For instance, it can be caused by increased collagen, large fibroblasts, or overgrown blood vessels. Over time, they usually disappear.
They can be removed through safe, at-home treatments. The most popular one is currently with PPP kits. The procedure involves applying anesthetic lotion to the affected area and then using an electrical ionizer to vaporize the lumps and eliminate them. The procedure is relatively low-risk and leaves little to no scarring.
2.Sexually Transmitted Infections
The most common way of getting STIs is through unprotected sexual acts. Most of these conditions manifest symptoms that include lump formation on your genital area. These include:
- Genital warts: These are flat, smooth lumps that form on your penis caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They can appear in different colors, from pink, brown, or white. No cure has been found for the disease, but the body typically clears itself of the virus in a couple of years. If the warts aren’t causing any problems to you, you can ignore them and simply wait out the infection. But if they cause itching, burning, or pain, or you’re concerned about it spreading, you have to visit a doctor. They may recommend you take certain medications to control the outbreak or get surgery to remove the warts.
- Syphilis: It’s an STI caused by bacteria that forms lumpy rashes and tender sores. At the onset of the disease, you may see these forming around your genitals. You need to get immediate treatment once you notice them. The disease is actually life-threatening, damaging your nervous system, blood vessels, and eyes. Doctors typically prescribe antibiotics and injectable medications like penicillin to treat it.
- Molluscum contagiosum: This viral infection causes lesions to break out all over your skin, including over your genitals. In this light, it can be considered an STI. It usually subsides on its own without treatment, but surgeons can remove the growths with cryosurgery. It’s a method that involves using nitrogen at freezing temperatures to eliminate unwanted tissues. Note that if you catch this disease, you and your partner may want to get tested for other STIs.
- Herpes: It’s an STI that comes from the herpes simplex virus and causes irritation and painful sores on your penis. The disease is very contagious, passed usually through sexual contact, though even touching the sores is enough to spread it to other parts of your body or others. Herpes can’t be cured, but antiviral drugs can be used to shorten the outbreaks and reduce the risk of passing it to others.
STIs are serious conditions that can cause permanent damage to yourself and any partners you’re involved with. Get checked if you suspect your lumps to come from your sexual activities. You may want to curb them or at least use protection, as well.
3.Miscellaneous Growths
Random growths appear all over your body from time to time, including on your penis. Some of these are:
- Pimples: These are pus-filled bumps caused by dirt and oil blocking your skin’s glands. They can be whiteheads, which form beneath the skin, or blackheads, which are visible on the surface.
- Cysts: These are rugged bumps on the tip of your penis. They don’t cause pain when you touch them but may grow in size without altering their appearance.
- Ingrown hairs: These lumps occur when you don’t shave pubic hair properly, often causing soreness and pus.
These growths often don’t require any treatment and can go away independently. Avoid trying to pop them because you risk creating open sores that are prone to infection.
Practicing proper penis hygiene help in preventing and managing these growths. Shower regularly, wash your clothes properly, and where fresh sets every day. Also, avoid wearing tight bottoms all the time as these cause friction, which can irritate your groin and thigh area.
4.Lichen Planus
They’re purplish, flat lumps that come with rashes. Some health experts believe that it’s caused by an autoimmune disorder that attacks the components of the skin. It can cause irritation and blisters on your penis. But the disease itself cannot spread to others.
If the lumps cause pain or discomfort, you may use cold compresses, prescribed creams, or take oatmeal baths. The infection typically subsides in a couple of years.
5.Lymphoceles
These lumps form when there’s an obstruction in the lymph nodes surrounding your genitals. Lymph nodes transport fluid all over your body to assist the immune system.
Lymphoceles may appear on your penis after sexual intercourse or masturbation. They can quickly fade on their own without any medical treatment. However, specific creams can assist in getting rid of them if they’re persistent.
6.Angiokeratomas
These rare, benign growths appear when the blood vessels in your skin are swollen. They’re small, light red, blue, or purple lumps that form in tiny heaps. They have a coarse texture when touched. The causes aren’t known, but some doctors claim they may be connected to high blood pressure or hemorrhoids.
Skin excision is a common way to remove the growths. Surgeons will use a scalpel to safely cut out the lumps on the skin of your penis. You may also undergo electrosurgery, where the lumps get removed through controlled heat.
7.Penile Cancer
The penis can also develop cancer. It manifests as an enormous lump on your penis which is sore and red, accompanied by bleeding, skin thickening, abnormal discharge, and a burning feeling during urination.
Like most cancers, chemotherapy is the go-to option. It’s a treatment where you receive medication that destroys growing cancer cells to stop them from spreading. The earlier it’s started, the better your odds of keeping it from worsening.
8.Fordyce Spots
These are tiny, white-to-yellow lumps on your penis or scrotum that form due to extended oil glands. They don’t cause any harm to your body, and treatment isn’t necessary to deal with them. But if you wish to remove them, you can go for laser therapy. This procedure projects focused light at specific wavelengths to sear off the spots. Note that this treatment may leave scars, cause soreness and pain, and lead to discoloration.
9.Peyronie’s Disease
This is a condition that affects the connective tissues in the penis. It’s not infectious and happens when you get hurt or injure an erect penis. It appears as a firm lump on the shaft caused by scar tissue. While relatively harmless, it can make erections uncomfortable, making sex challenging.
Penile implants can assist you when you have Peyronie’s disease. These support the underlying tissue, allowing the lumps to disappear with time. These help if the lumps cause erectile dysfunction.
Never Ignore Strange Growths
The key to dealing with penis lumps is to maintain clear thinking and take decisive action. Reach out to your physician to learn what the cause is and get the right treatment.
Of course, it may feel strange and even shameful to have to talk about genital problems. But the truth is that your problems aren’t isolated. You’d be surprised to note that most healthcare practitioners won’t shame you for seeking help. Never hesitate to get the help you deserve.
