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I Develop One Or Two Small HPV Warts On My Penis Is It Common For Warts To Return?
Question: Every year or so, I develop one or two small HPV warts on my penis. This began in 2017 or 2018. I have used Aldara, but did not have much success. In the last two years, my dermatologist has frozen off lesions. They tend to stay away for about a year and come back in a slightly different location around my penis or testicles.
1) Is it common for warts to return? I have been sexually monogamous since 2018. How is this possible?
2) If the warts return like this, am I likely to develop an HPV-related cancer of the penis or elsewhere?
3) My partner has never had any abnormal result on her gynecological screenings. She has not been vaccinated against HPV.
4) Apart from what I’ve been doing, is there anything else I can try to reduce risk of recurrence? Does shaving the genitals increase risk?
1) Is it common for warts to return? I have been sexually monogamous since 2018. How is this possible?
2) If the warts return like this, am I likely to develop an HPV-related cancer of the penis or elsewhere?
3) My partner has never had any abnormal result on her gynecological screenings. She has not been vaccinated against HPV.
4) Apart from what I’ve been doing, is there anything else I can try to reduce risk of recurrence? Does shaving the genitals increase risk?
Brief Answer:
Application of podophyllin resin will be useful.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
1. My choice for the treatment of genital warts is Podophyllin application. But this should be applied by the physician as per protocol. Patients should not try themselves. I had treated thousands of cases. Recurrences is less than 1%.
2. Not necessary always. Retract the foreskin daily to the maximum possible extent and clean daily with plain water,
3. Apart from the screening procedures, your partner needs a thorough speculum examination and search for any lesion inside her vaginal wall and cervix by an experienced doctor and treat if necessary with cryo-surgery.
4. Shaving the pubic area regularly is not necessary. You can also have HPV vaccine, in spite of, you are having the lesions, as three doses. It will be beneficial for you.
Thanks.
Dr S. Murugan
Application of podophyllin resin will be useful.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
1. My choice for the treatment of genital warts is Podophyllin application. But this should be applied by the physician as per protocol. Patients should not try themselves. I had treated thousands of cases. Recurrences is less than 1%.
2. Not necessary always. Retract the foreskin daily to the maximum possible extent and clean daily with plain water,
3. Apart from the screening procedures, your partner needs a thorough speculum examination and search for any lesion inside her vaginal wall and cervix by an experienced doctor and treat if necessary with cryo-surgery.
4. Shaving the pubic area regularly is not necessary. You can also have HPV vaccine, in spite of, you are having the lesions, as three doses. It will be beneficial for you.
Thanks.
Dr S. Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks. I’m still a bit uncertain about the pathological consequences of this infection. 5+ years later, still having warts—is this common? Am I likely to develop an HPV related cancer?
Brief Answer:
Chances for getting cancer through HPV is not so common.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Medicine is not mathematics to get a constant answer.
Rule out HPV with your sex partner with HPV molecular tests and speculum examination for the recurrence.
Only certain strains are likely to produce changes to wards Cancer penis and not all strains.
Not to worry.
Dr S. Murugan
Chances for getting cancer through HPV is not so common.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Medicine is not mathematics to get a constant answer.
Rule out HPV with your sex partner with HPV molecular tests and speculum examination for the recurrence.
Only certain strains are likely to produce changes to wards Cancer penis and not all strains.
Not to worry.
Dr S. Murugan
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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