01/6Men! Here’s what you need to know about pearly penile papules

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When it comes to sexual health, both men and women should be mindful of how they take care of their intimate body parts and their reproductive organs. This includes vaginal and penile health for women and men, respectively.



As prone as women are to sexual health problems, men too are susceptible to health issues associated with their genitals. One such problem is pearly penile papules.

​Also read: Penis health: Signs your penis is healthy​

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02/6What are pearly penile papules?

What are pearly penile papules?
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Pearly penile papules, also called hirsutoid papillomas, refer to whitish, yellowish or pinkish bumps that form around the head of the penis. As alarming as they may look or seem, these papules or bumps are said to be harmless and gradually fade away as people age. This means that the condition is neither an infection, nor does it have any life-threatening cancer concerns.

​Also read: Common prostate problems men should watch out for​

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03/6How to identify the condition?

How to identify the condition?
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Interestingly, pearly penile papules (PPPs) are not caused due to poor hygiene habits or any health problems, nor do they cause any symptoms. Furthermore, they do not change in appearance, size or shape. What's relieving is the fact that the condition is neither contagious nor painful. So how can one identify it?

Some of the common characteristic features include:


- PPPs are smooth

- They appear like tiny bumps

- They usually occur around the base of the head of the penis

- They're most often pearly white in appearance, but can be pinkish and yellowish

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04/6How PPPs affects sex life

How PPPs affects sex life
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Pearly penile papules do not directly affect your ability to have sex, since it does not cause any symptoms or spread from one person to another. However, they can take a psychological toll on both partners, especially in people, who do not know what it is. Some even mistake the bumps for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) like HPV.

A survey published in the American Journal of Men's Health found that among 95 people with PPPs. 38% were "worried or concerned" about the bumps and 17% wanted to have them removed, reports VeryWell Health.

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05/6But what causes pearly penile papules?

But what causes pearly penile papules?
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Pearly penile papules are non-cancerous, benign papules that can develop on any part of the skin or mucous membranes in the body. They are a type of angiofibroma, made up of blood vessels and fibrous (connective) tissue. These usually appear as small, red bumps on the face, especially on the nose and cheeks, shares the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

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06/6PPPs versus genital warts

PPPs versus genital warts
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PPPs can often be mistaken for an STI like genital warts. But unlike the sexually transmitted infection, pearly penile papules are not contagious and do not spread from one person to another. While the latter are located along the base of the head of the penis, genital warts occur anywhere on the penis, foreskin, scrotum, or groin. PPPs are small and uniform in size and shape, whereas genital warts are irregular in shape and texture. Warts can be typically flesh-coloured, while PPPs are normally white, pink, yellowish, or flesh-coloured.

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