Papillomas on the penis: how to deal with the human papillomavirus?

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are infectious agents belonging to the Papoviridae family, the genetic material of which is represented by deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). To date, more than 100 different HPV genotypes are known, about 40 of which affect the epithelium of the genital organs. Genital HPV infection is extremely widespread among the population and is classified as a sexually transmitted disease. People between the ages of 18 and 30 are most at risk of infection. Below we will talk about the manifestations and treatment of the human papillomavirus in the localization of pathological elements on the penis.

How does genital papillomavirus infection manifest itself?

To date, there are two main clinical variants of genital papillomavirus infection:

• Common papillomas;
• Pointed warts.

Ordinary papillomas have the appearance of a papillary outgrowth, located on a thin stalk, having a soft or dense texture. They rise above the surface of the surrounding skin, are easily injured by mechanical action. Such papillomas are most often localized in the area of ​​the foreskin that covers the head of the penis, but they may also have a different location, for example, on the shaft of the penis and so on.

By themselves, these neoplasms are not accompanied by any symptoms. However, if they are injured, bleeding, pain, and so on can occur.

The second option is genital warts, also having a leg, soft consistency, prone to merging with each other to form lobed structures resembling cauliflower. As a rule, in men they are located on the glans penis, as well as on the foreskin.

In addition to an external defect, genital warts do not manifest themselves in any way. In some cases, they can form in the lumen of the urethra, which leads to difficulty urinating, the appearance of discomfort during this process.

Basic Treatments

Unfortunately, today there is not a single sufficiently effective method of treating papillomavirus infection, which allows you to completely free the body from the pathogen.

The primary method of treatment is the removal of the neoplasms that have arisen. For this purpose, minimally invasive methods are most often used, such as:

• laser destruction;
• Electrocoagulation;
• cryodestruction;
• Radio wave removal.

Somewhat less commonly, chemical agents are used, leading to necrosis and subsequent disappearance of pathological elements. Despite the fact that they are freely available in pharmacies, such drugs should not be used without first consulting a specialist, as there is a high risk of chemical burns.

To reduce the risk of recurrence, the treatment plan is supplemented with drugs with antiviral, immunomodulatory effects, for example, inosine pranobex. In 2019, scientists from the Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology named after. BEFORE. Otta published a work, the results of which established the effectiveness of inosine pranobex in the treatment of genital warts.