Do you have Pearly Penile Papules? You’re not alone!

Pearly Penile Papules (PPPs) have a mildly terrifying sounding name, and they don’t appear in the greatest position either, so discussion isn’t really something you might do with your mates over a beer. For the uninitiated, PPPs are small, dome-shaped bumps that appear on the corona of the penis in some men. They are usually organised into a straight line or multiple defined rows. They are generally skin-coloured, ranging from pale to pink, and appear in many men, especially the uncircumcised.

They can appear as small spots or even like tiny pearls, but despite their appearance, they are benign growths that do not affect your health or the health of your penis.

Nonetheless, many men are understandably self-conscious about their growth. In this blog, we will put your mind at ease on PPPs by providing some information you may not have known and also point you to the best place to get them carefully removed for those who wish to go down that path.

PPPs can make us self-conscious.

We acknowledge that many men can get embarrassed about their PPPs. Because of their appearance and positioning, they are often mistaken for STIs or thought of as reflecting poor hygiene. They have often been mistaken as genital warts, which naturally makes people want to have them removed.

However, these are all misnomers. There is no known cause for PPPs, and they appear randomly in many men.

Pearly Penile Papules vary in appearance

PPPs do vary in appearance quite a bit, and it can thus be hard to tell if your lumps aren’t something else. They are best checked out by an expert if you are unsure, especially because new growths on your penis are something you’ll likely be anxious about. But they do have some common features.

Skin biopsies have revealed some common characteristics of PPPs. They have found the skin contains several thin-walled dilated blood vessels, with a lot of fibroblast cells that can be star-shaped.

But what will you see? Well, PPPs are usually smooth, and they appear as very neatly organised bumps or threads. The individual bumps are generally between 1 and 4 millimetres in diameter. Given they vary in number and colour, it is not easy to self-diagnose, which we do not recommend. There are other conditions that will cause similar symptoms, such as Fordyce spots that appear more randomly around the head of the penis.

Naturally, any random changes, be they additional lumps or bumps, changes in colour, or anything you new you see on your penis are worth getting checked out.

Your doctor or dermatologist can diagnose PPP

Doctors or dermatologists can diagnose PPPs, and you shouldn’t hesitate to contact a check-up if changes happen.

ENRICH Clinic has one of the best PPP experts; Dr Michael Rich is a specialist dermatologist in Melbourne who has been treating PPPs for over 30 years. If you suspect you have PPPs, you should look to get them diagnosed as soon as possible. You can call us on 03 9500 9500 or come in and see us at 872-874 High Street, Armadale, VIC. You can discuss the best options with us, and we can help you to find a solution.

Is it normal to have Pearly Penile Papules?

It is indeed very normal for men to get PPPs. This comes as a surprise to many, as they are not talked about very often. They aren’t something men tend to bring up with their friends.

The estimated number of PPP sufferers varies greatly; it is noted that somewhere between 8% and 43% of men develop them, while a study by Love, Badri and Ramsey claims up to 48% of men get them. This study also notes they are slightly more prevalent in uncircumcised penises.

This is all to say that PPPs are very common, and in no way are they something to be ashamed of.

Are Pearly Penile Papules harmless?

When it comes to your physical health, PPPs are totally harmless. They are benign growths and come with no other symptoms whatsoever. They won’t interfere with your physical health and can often fade away as you get older. In many cases, PPPs require no treatment, and once a healthcare provider has given you their assurance, you shouldn’t be concerned about their impact on your physical health. However, this does not mean you should necessarily ignore them.

PPPs can cause other stresses and anxieties in your daily life. Sometimes sexual partners might be concerned about them, or you might be extremely self-conscious, which can impact your self-esteem. Ultimately, many men with PPPs find they are embarrassed about them. In such cases, ignoring them would be a bad idea. 

Dos and don’ts with your PPPs

There are a few dos and don’ts regarding what to do about PPPs. We’ve compiled a small list: 

Do talk to a health professional 

For those who think they have PPPs, but have never had them diagnosed, it is a great idea to talk to an expert. You never know for certain, and you can remove any stress that comes with uncertainty by getting some clarity.

You can ignore them

One option you have with your PPPs is to ignore that you have them (once they’ve been properly diagnosed, of course). For those who don’t feel self-conscious, they will have no impact on your life, and you can simply get on with it.

Don’t use scissors 

As hard as it may be to believe, some people have taken to their PPPs with scissors. This is as bad an idea as it sounds. Scissors and penises don’t mix well, and PPPs don’t make this relationship any better. We will make this as clear as we possibly can. Never, under any circumstances, try to cut your PPPs off yourself.

Don’t use home remedies 

You should also not try to remove your PPPs with any other home formula. Some have tried toothpaste, castor oil or even things like lemon juice. Such approaches will achieve one of two things: nothing, or a stinging sensation on your penis. But they certainly won’t do anything about your bumps. There have been a number of wacky formulas cooked up around home PPP treatment, and none of them works.

How do you get rid of pearly penile papules?

ENRICH Clinic is the best place to get your PPPs removed. We have the ability to vaporise your PPPs,  using a specific laser. Trust us, it is far less terrifying than it sounds. We have a lot of experience in this treatment, and it is an almost pain-free process as a local anaesthetic cream is applied before treatment. You can expect to see is a slight amount of scabbing, as well as swelling and slight bleeding in the days after your PPPs have been removed. There is a dressing you can apply, and the whole wound will be healed within around two weeks.

When it comes to your health, you should always be as proactive as possible. We understand this isn’t always a strength for a lot of guys. At ENRICH Clinic, we have a number of mens treatments; many of which relate to your skin. The quality of our treatments, as well as our expertise can help you at ease, to ensure you can start getting on top of those things you might have been ignoring.

Want your PPP removed? 

We can help.

Contact ENRICH for a consultation.