In previous posts I said I would talk about my journey with pearly penile papules and how they have affected me. It’s been a very depressing experience – one that can only be understood if you yourself have them.

What are pearly penile papules?

Pearly penile papules are small (1 to 2mm) round bumps that are attached to the rim of the head of the penis. They typically are located all of the rim and some are bigger than others. They are sometimes confused with warts but unlike warts, they aren’t caused by viral infection and cannot be passed from person to person.

Who typically gets them?

The consensus seems to be that if you are uncircumcised, you are more likely to get them and this seems to make sense. They occur in about 30% of men

I have had pearly pearly penile papules for a long time now. At first I didn’t know what they were so I went to the doctor for a diagnosis. He wasn’t very helpful and from what I recall he didn’t actually say what they were. He simply said that they were natural and nothing to worry about. Easy enough for him to say.

I spent a long time not knowing what  it was I had and so had to go through a period of self diagnosis on the net. It was only when I read accounts about other people’s experiences and symptoms that I realise I had PPPs.

What is the cure for penile papules?

From what I know, a lot of people have gone through this experience of lack of interest from doctors and self diagnosis. Apparently because these bumps on the penis are not caused by an infection and are not painful or uncomfortable, they do not need to be treated or removed. That’s easy enough to say if you don’t have them. They are pretty embarrassing and unsightly.

I have gone through all manner of self help remedies to try and find a solution simply because the medical profession was no help..

• Toothpaste
• Baby powder
• Acne cream
• Wart cream

Just to name a few. I even went as far as trying to pull off the bigger ones (very painful) but they just bled then grew again. Now you may think it daft to even to try any of these but if you are desperate you end up trying what you can within reason. My papules are at an advanced stage, are very unsightly and off putting. I really don’t fancy surgery to remove them.

Supposedly, a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is the best and most effective treatment for removal of these pearly penile papules. But I’ve heard that there are risks with treating these bumps, and the laser can sometimes cause scarring or infection I belive. So I just don’t know what to do?

If you have any thoughts or experiences about this issue I would very much like to hear them. Please NO spam or illicit comments – they will simply be removed!!!!