Penile Papules: Tackling the Misconceptions

It's not uncommon to get scared when something shows up on your body that isn't supposed to be there. If you are like most people, abnormalities around the genital area will cause even more concern than something on another part of the body, particularly if you are sexually active. This is not the unhealthiest fear one could have, but it's equally important to be well informed when it comes to any problems you might come across. For that reason, a doctor should examine anything you find on your body that shouldn't be there. When it comes to pearly penile papules, this is especially true, as they can be difficult to self-diagnose over the internet. Because of their similarities to other conditions, several misconceptions have arisen. Here are some of them.

It's a Sexually Transmitted Disease

This is simply not the case. Penile papules are not transmitted from person to person in any way, so there is no danger of them being an STD. Of course, this misconception takes hold because they share some characteristics (at least superficially) with some more common STDs. For that reason, it is important to get checked out by a doctor and eliminate the possibility—however small—that you are dealing with something else.

It Endangers Your Life

Penile papules may not be something you want to look at or have on your genitals, but they are in no way threatening to your life. For the most part, they have no impact on your health whatsoever and are strictly a cosmetic blemish. While this is an understandable concern in its own right, a distinction must be made between that and something that could be truly serious. Still, it is once again necessary to point out the importance of getting advice straight from a doctor, not only to give you peace of mind, but also to eliminate the possibility of conditions that could mimic similar symptoms.

It Will Affect My Sex Life

This one is tricky, of course. While penile papules will have no physical effect on your ability to perform in the bedroom, it could have an effect on a partner's willingness to go through with it. It could also have an impact on your confidence levels, which can be as harmful to your performance as anything being physically wrong. You can explain to a partner the insignificance of the condition, but we are trained early on to regard genital abnormalities with extreme caution, so it's an uphill battle.