Medically reviewed on Nov 17, 2023 by Jordan Stachel, M.S., RDN, CPT. To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.
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No one delights in finding unusual growths in private places, especially given that 1 in 5 sexually active Americans are estimated to be infected with a sexually transmitted infection (STI).[1] While some bumps aren’t dangerous, like pearly penile papules (PPP), others could be genital warts caused by the viral STI human papillomavirus (HPV).
HPV doesn’t have a cure, and unfortunately, only women and people AFAB can be tested for HPV (either at home or with a healthcare provider).[2] If you are a man or person AMAB, knowing the differences between pearly penile papules and HPV genital warts can help you assess whether you may be infected.
If you think you may have HPV, it’s important to reach out to a healthcare provider to discuss your treatment options. In the meantime, find out more about pearly penile papules vs. HPV genital warts below.
There are many clinical terms for pearly penile papules: papillomatosis, corona penis, corona capillitii, and so on. No matter what they’re called, all are non-pathological and are linked to no known health risks.[3]
Pearly penile papules are considered normal growths and are estimated to develop on as many as 48% of men and people AMAB.3 They typically turn up in adulthood, but they can arrive in late adolescence, too.[3]
You may be at a slightly more elevated risk of developing them if [4]:
If your papules are causing you distress, a variety of procedures are available to remove them.[3]
Not necessarily. Pearly penile papules are considered a normal morphological development of the penis. You’ll only need to seek treatment if they’re accompanied by other concerning symptoms such as [5]:
If your papules are a recent development and you’ve noticed any of these additional symptoms, reach out to a healthcare provider. It’s very common to mistake genital warts or other growths associated with STIs for pearly papules.[3]
No, women cannot get PPP.3 Pearly penile papules only affect biological males. In fact, some researchers suspect they are vestigial of penile snipes, an anatomical trait possessed by many male primates to facilitate sex and reproduction.[3]
If you’re a woman and you notice what seems to be papules on your sexual anatomy, it’s best to reach out to a healthcare provider for assessment. What looks like papules may be genital warts caused by HPV, which both women and men can contract.
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the single most prevalent STI in the US. There are many different types of HPV, and many people aren’t aware that they have it since several HPV strains cause no obvious symptoms.[2]
Can HPV be cured with antibiotics? There is currently no cure for HPV, but there is an HPV vaccine that can prevent you from getting infected. A highly contagious viral infection, HPV, can be transmitted through [2]:
In the long term, certain types of HPV can cause genital warts. Other types of HPV have been linked to [2]:
Many cancer-causing strains of HPV do not present with any symptoms. For this reason, women and people AFAB are encouraged to get regular Pap smears and HPV tests to ensure they aren’t at risk. [2]
So, how long do genital warts last? It depends. HPV and genital warts can go away on their own, typically after a period of 2 years.6 If you’re concerned about genital warts, there are both topical and surgical methods for removing them.
On the whole, preventative treatment options are the best measure of protecting you and your partners from both HPV and the genital warts they can cause. If you are a sexually active adult under the age of 45 and haven’t been vaccinated already, it’s highly recommended you get vaccinated.
Many people with male reproductive anatomy develop genital warts and mistake them for pearly penile papules or other benign growths. If you notice any abnormal-looking or new growths on your penis, it’s a good idea to take an STI test, either with a healthcare provider or using an at-home testing kit. STI screening is the only way to rule out the possibility of having an STI.
That said, it can be helpful to know how pearly penile papules and HPV-related genital warts differ. A few common traits of pearly penile papules are [4]:
One of the most distinctive qualities of papules is their patterning: they typically form a ring around the glans or head of the penis. Under a microscope, some people compare them to “cobblestones.” To the naked eye, they may resemble sea anemones.[4]
HPV genital warts look very different. These tend to be [7]:
Many people describe genital warts as having a cauliflower-like structure that’s less consistent than the pattern of pearly penile papules.[7]
Most importantly, genital warts are often noticed by itching around the genitals. They may also bleed when you have sex. Since they’re not an infection, pearly penile papules do not disrupt your sex life or cause physical discomfort.[3]
While you’ll need to speak to a healthcare provider to treat HPV, many of the same procedures are used to physically remove both HPV-caused genital warts and pearly penile papules. These include [4]:
Pearly penile papules must be removed procedurally. However, HPV genital warts may respond well to topical medicines in addition to procedural interventions. Some common medicines that are used include [9]:
In many cases, topical treatments of external genital warts can be highly effective, helping them heal in just a few months.
Though pearly penile papules aren’t contagious, genital warts and the HPV strains that cause them are. Apart from getting vaccinated, there are several ways to limit you and your sexual partner(s)’ risk of infection [2]:
Whether you’re confident about your STI status or you or a partner is contending with odd lumps and bumps, regular STI testing is the cornerstone of sexual health.
With Everlywell, all genders can screen for up to 6 common STIs comfortably at home. Women and people AFAB can even use the Everlywell at-home HPV Test to screen without visiting a healthcare clinic.
Each Everlywell test is processed by CLIA-certified labs, with physician-reviewed results you can trust. You can even meet virtually with a clinician, who can talk to you about your symptoms and provide STD treatment online. Take control of your sexual health with Everlywell.
Skin Tag vs. HPV: Symptoms & Treatment Options
HPV vs. HIV: Comparing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
References