Penis Warts: Common Myths Debunked

Tiny, fleshy, cauliflower-shaped penis warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). This is one of the most common infections among sexually active adults, according to experts, but misinformation about HPV and penis warts remains distressingly high. That ignorance could be dangerous, as men who know very little about HPV could be exposing themselves, and their partners, to unnecessary risk. Reading up about warts and penis care might not be the most pleasant way to spend time, but men who do so may be making an investment in their future health. Myth 1: Condoms Provide Complete Protection. While it's true that condoms can provide a layer of protection from HPV, they certainly can't be relied upon to deliver complete safety from penis warts, as the infection can take hold in the skin at the base of the penis, as well as other patches of skin lurking nearby. A condom only provides a sliver of protection, and even then, a little slipping and sliding during sex could expose skin to infected cells. Myth 2: It's Easy to Spot an Infection. Virus cells are incredibly small, and not all skin that's infected begins to blossom into a wart. Sometimes, infected skin looks just like healthy skin, and even doctors need to perform sophisticated tests in order to discern whether or not a person has HPV in the absence of warts. Myth 3: An Infection Lasts a Lifetime. It's easy for men with penis warts to feel despondent and low, and they may believe that they'll be inflicted with bumps for the rest of their days, as they huddle in their rooms, alone and friendless. Thankfully, there's no call for such dramatics. The human immune system is quite powerful, and often, HPV cells are neutralized within about 6 months to 2 years. This isn't always the case, as readers will discover a little later in this article, but the power of the immune system can be an immense ally in the fight against most types of HPV. Myth 4: After Treatment, a Man Isn't Contagious. A man who doesn't want to wait months or years for an infection to clear can visit a doctor and obtain medial treatments that can burn, melt or otherwise blow those penis warts away. Once they're gone, however, traces of the virus might still be left behind. Again, the infection can linger inside skin that seems perfectly healthy and normal, and if this skin isn't also treated with medications, it could be harboring cells that could spring into new warts in the future. Myth 5: Once Infected, a Man Can't Get Infected Again. Unfortunately, there are hundreds and hundreds of different types of HPV, and the infection types don't tend to share notes with one another. It's quite possible to get one type of infection and then get a different strain later on in life. Myth 6: A New HPV Infection in a Monogamous Couple Means Someone Has Cheated. A man in a serious, exclusive sexual relationship may be shocked when penis warts erupt, and he may immediately assume that his partner has been engaging in some on-the-side activity with an infected person. It's an understandable assumption, but not a guarantee, as some HPV infections linger inside the body for months or even years until they become powerful and produce symptoms. Myth 7: All Penis Bumps are Due to HPV. Some little lumps, bumps and penis sores look like HPV when they're really caused by other infections, blocked pores or even microscopic tears. A doctor's office is the best place to sort fact from fiction. If HPV or other STDs aren't to blame, a little self-care could be useful. By washing carefully and applying a penis health crème (most experts recommend Man1 Man Oil), men can keep the skin of the penis smooth and healthy, ready for pleasure at a moment's notice. This lotion can't prevent HPV or penis warts, but it can help a man smooth and soothe away other common causes of penis skin distress.