Genital Warts in Men
Male genital warts can be unsightly and they can be a nuisance. These wart outbreaks usually appear on the scrotum and on the penis. They will look like small, flesh colored mounds that have a cauliflower-like appearance and are either raised or flat. But what causes male genital warts?
These warts are caused by the human papillomavirus or HPV for short. Genital warts and HPV are very contagious and are passed from person to person by sexual contact. HPV is one the most common forms of sexually transmitted infections in the world. Experts estimate that there are more cases of HPV than any other type of sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Statistics show that there are at least 20 million people are infected by HPV.
Sometimes there is some confusion between genital warts and herpes. Both can affect the same parts of the body, but they are caused by two different viruses and while they are similar in appearance, they are also very different.
Male genital warts are typically found on the shaft and head of the penis. They can appear singly or in clusters and may itch. If not treated, genital warts can become quite large. Sometimes the body’s immune system will take care of the warts and they will eventually disappear. The virus that causes the genital warts may stay in your system for life and cause the warts to reappear at any time.
Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex 2 virus. Herpes are highly contagious also and are spread through sexual contact. An outbreak of herpes will look like blisters that appear on the penis and surrounding areas. These blisters will break and leave behind very tender sores that can take up to a month to heal. Once the sores heal, you can suffer another outbreak of them at any time. But be aware, the herpes virus stays in your system forever and there is no cure for it.
So the difference between male genital warts and genital herpes is quite clear. The most important thing to remember is that both are highly contagious and can be passed to your partner very easily. You should not have sex during an outbreak of either type of lesion. It is always a good idea to wear a condom at all times. This can reduce the spread of both viruses but it isn’t 100% effective.
It is recommended that you see your doctor if you discover any type of lesion on your genital area. He can diagnose and recommend the best type of treatment for you.
Having male genital warts is not the end of the world but you must be careful not to pass it on to your sexual partners. The best way to avoid this it to abstain from sex until the warts are gone and to always wear a condom, no matter what.
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