Pearly penile papules are not harmful, but their appearance causes anxiety and confusion for many men.
Health experts agree that pearly penile papules pose no health risk. The small, dome-shaped bumps around the glans penis are neither a sexually transmitted infection (STI) nor a form of cancer. Other than the bumps, they don’t exhibit symptoms like itchiness or pain.
So why are people seeking a remedy for it?
One explanation is that many males mistake pearly penile papules for a disease or an STI, leading to awkward experiences. Their worries grow with the size of the bumps, with males with moderate to large ones being more anxious. It is estimated that up to 48% of men, mainly adults, have these bumps.
That said, a condition that doesn’t warrant medical treatment doesn’t necessarily mean no solution exists. With demand fueled by such worries, the market offers several treatment options for pearly penile papules. Here’s an in-depth look at each option and how effective they are based on current research.
1. Pearly Penile Papules Removal Cream
Pearly papules removal cream is marketed as a low-cost alternative to professional papule removal techniques. However, no approved removal medication currently exists because, as mentioned before, pearly penile papules are not a disease or infection.
Most of these creams contain plant-based oils or acids – but there is no clinical evidence that they work. In fact, overuse may disrupt the delicate balance of skin flora in the genital area, potentially causing irritation.
A specialised treatment kit, which can also be bought online, is a far more effective form of pearly penile papules treatment. Unlike a pearly penile papule cream, the kit is developed using removal procedures already in use, such as laser treatment and electrosurgery. The difference is that it uses a single handheld ionizer as the main instrument.
2. Pulse-Dye or Carbon Dioxide Laser Therapy
The next few methods on the list have one thing in common: attacking the papule directly.
Professional papule removal destroys the embedded solid mass by exposing it to various stimuli, starting with heat. Two types of laser therapy are commonly used by dermatologists:
- Pulsed-dye Laser (PDL): This laser uses an organic dye to generate a visible beam of light that destroys the papule’s blood vessels. Cut off from its supply of nutrients, the papule slowly starves to death.
- Ablative Carbon Dioxide Laser: This more powerful laser operates at the infrared wavelength (10,600 nm, invisible to the naked eye). Instead of a slow death, the laser vaporises the papule where it sits.
Many studies have proven the effectiveness of both types of lasers. The PDL’s low intensity reduces the risk of scarring but requires multiple treatment sessions. On the other hand, the carbon dioxide laser delivers results much faster but with a higher risk of infection and scarring.
3. Liquid Nitrogen Cryotherapy / Cryosurgery
Cryotherapy (also called cryosurgery) is the complete opposite of laser therapy – using cold instead of hea. In this procedure, the dermatologist applies liquid nitrogen directly onto the papule site to freeze the mass. The mode of application can be through a spray gun or autoclaved instruments.
Liquid nitrogen is known for freezing quickly due to its subzero temperature (between -5 and -25 OC for benign growths). Each session consists of one or two freeze-thaw cycles, in which liquid nitrogen is applied and left alone to thaw at room temperature. Each cycle ends when the freeze completely thaws and the lesion returns to its prior state.
Cryotherapy is a slow process due to the effect of liquid nitrogen on the skin. Despite being cold, excessive exposure to the substance can cause blistering and ice burns. Because of this, dermatologists control the amount of liquid nitrogen they apply.
Based on a study of 40 patients with pearly penile papules in India, cryotherapy has an 85% success rate of complete removal in as early as 28 days after treatment. In rare instances, only half of the papules are removed but improves over time.
4. Electrodessication and Curettage
While the most invasive relative to the other methods discussed here, electrodessication and curettage (ED&C) is still considered minimally invasive by industry standards. It calls for scraping the tumor using a curette and applying an electric current to cauterise it.
ED&C uses a high voltage but makes up for it with low amperage. This means the intensity of each shock quickly diminishes with each cycle, ensuring the patient’s safety during the procedure. It is a proven method in removing non-cancerous masses in the skin.
ED&C is generally safe, including for patients with cardiac implants, though dermatologists may avoid it in those cases out of caution. It is a standard treatment for various non-cancerous skin lesions.
So… Should You Remove Them?
From a medical standpoint, no treatment is needed for pearly penile papules. But when concerns about appearance or sexual stigma arise, removal can be an option.
People concerned with their pearly penile papules can rest easy knowing that there are ways to get rid of them. The dermatologist will select the best method of treatment based on key patient information.
Importantly, men should consult a doctor to distinguish pearly penile papules from other conditions, such as genital warts or molluscum contagiosu, before pursuing any treatment.
