Bumps and spots on your penis do not always indicate something serious, but it’s still best to get it examined by your doctor. It could be just a harmless pimple, or the bumps growing on your penis may be caused by ingrown hairs, which isn’t something to worry about.
But if you’re sexually active and you suspect that you may have gotten infected with some type of a sexually transmitted disease, then you should head to a genitourinary medical clinic right away. Here are the four most common STDs that cause bumps to grow on your penis.
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Genital Herpes
If you’re infected with herpes, you may suffer from painful bumps growing on your penis. This disease is caused by the herpes simplex virus, of which there are two types that are commonly associated with genital lesions.
Herpes simplex virus-2 is the one that usually causes penis bumps and lesions in your anal area. Herpes simplex virus-1, on the one hand, usually causes sores to form in your mouth area.
An outbreak is usually preceded by a reddish or brownish discoloration on the part of your penis that’s affected. Then clusters of round spots that look like blisters appear in the genital area. The painful blisters are usually filled with a clear fluid. After a few days, they rupture and become reddish, then they crust over and form a scab.
The problem with herpes is that once you acquire it, the virus stays with you for life and causes recurrent outbreaks. You may not know that you have it because the symptoms are sometimes mild and they just go away on their own after some time.
However, there are also cases wherein a severe outbreak causes painful blisters to form on your penis and anal area, accompanied by headaches and fever. The medications for herpes can’t make the virus go away. Rather, they’re prescribed to help lessen the severity and reduce the duration of outbreaks.
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Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
If the little bumps growing on your penis look like warts, then you may be infected with HPV. Genital warts are the hallmark symptom of a human papillomavirus infection. However, you may not be able to notice them right away since they’re usually not painful.
Genital warts caused by an HPV infection vary in color, size, and shape. They may appear pinkish, brownish, blackish, or flesh-colored. Genital warts are typically soft to the touch and can sometimes be itchy. Some warts are small while there are also warts that are considerable in size, growing like cauliflower florets.
With herpes, the bumps on your penis go away after several days or weeks. Warts caused by HPV, however, are persistent and you may need to have them surgically removed. Just like herpes, an infection with HPV is a lifelong condition.
Your doctor may prescribe treatments that can help you control the outbreak of warts. There are actually certain strains of the HPV virus that can cause cancer. Hence, failure to get yourself treated for HPV may lead to serious complications.
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Syphilis
Although the bumps on the penis caused by syphilis are usually painless, you shouldn’t ignore a syphilis infection. This is actually one of the more serious sexually transmitted diseases. When left untreated, the spirochete Treponema pallidum which causes syphilis can spread to other parts of your body, resulting in serious damage to your heart and brain.
A primary syphilis infection is usually characterized by one or more bumps forming in your mouth, rectum, or penis. The bump or sore may be colored dull red, black, or brown. The bump then ruptures and becomes ulcerated.
After some time, the ulcers can disappear on their own. However, if you weren’t treated for the primary syphilis infection, it can develop into a secondary syphilis infection several weeks or months after you were first infected.
A secondary syphilis infection means that the spirochetes have spread to different parts of your body. Common symptoms include fatigue and joint pains, rash, sore throat, and inflammation of the eyes, liver, or brain. You will also experience sores forming on your soles and palms, and even all over your body.
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Molluscum Contagiosum
If you’re seeing pearly pink, brown, or flesh-colored bumps on your penis, that could be a sign of a Molluscum contagiosum infection. The bumps can also appear on other parts of your body such as on your face, neck, torso, and limbs. This viral infection is spread via physical contact.
The bumps caused by Molluscum contagiosum are usually dome-shaped and firm. What’s characteristic about these bumps is that they have an indentation or a dimple in the middle. They’re usually very itchy, and you’ll notice that the skin around the bump is reddish and cracked.
Unlike herpes or HPV, the Molluscum contagiosum virus can go away on its own even if you don’t get it treated. However, if it caused bumps to appear on your face, neck, and other highly visible parts of your body, then you should seek treatment to get rid of those unsightly and itchy bumps.
Other Harmless Causes Of Penile Bumps
Not all penile bumps are caused by STDs. You may develop penile bumps as an allergic reaction to a soap or lubricant. An infected hair follicle can also cause a bump to grow on your penile skin. Friction caused by fabric rubbing on your penile skin can also cause irritation and result in penile bumps.
Even shaving can cause irritation to your penile skin and cause a bump or a rash to form. Pearly penile papules are also common and quite harmless. These whitish bumps often form on the corona of the penis glans.
Keeping Yourself Sexually Healthy
Aside from wearing condoms to protect yourself during sex, you should also take supplements to help boost your sexual health. An all-natural male enhancement supplement is one of the best supplements for maintaining high testosterone levels. This is also an excellent supplement for increasing your libido and boosting your erection.
It contains natural ingredients such as damiana, maca, Tribulus terrestris, muira puama, and horny goat weed. These herbs are widely recognized for their positive effects on male sexual health.
