Treating Pearly Penile Papules effectively with PlexR

Pearly Penile Papules (or PPP) are so-called “angiofibromas”: benign swellings arising from the small blood vessels and connective tissue of the penis. Why one person develops PPP and another does not is unclear. PPP is not a sexually transmitted infection and is therefore not contagious. It is a physiological phenomenon that occurs in around 20 to 30% of men. Men with pearly penile papules often visit their GP or dermatologist because they think they have a sexually transmitted disease (genital warts), or because they want them removed for cosmetic reasons.

The skin-coloured to light-pink, shiny bumps sit at the transition between the glans and the shaft of the penis, ranging from dozens to sometimes hundreds. Sometimes they form a ring around the edge of the glans. They usually cause no symptoms such as itching or pain. A dermatologist can make the diagnosis with the naked eye. In practice, however, they are often confused with genital warts. Some patients are wrongly treated by their GP as though they were genital warts.

Treatment of Pearly Penile Papules

PPP do not need to be treated. However, they do not disappear on their own and will remain present for life without treatment. There are no home remedies to make them go away. They can also increase in number and size. For cosmetic reasons, the skin tags are removed with PlexR, laser or electrocoagulation. This achieves excellent results. After these treatments the rim of the glans can become completely smooth again.

PlexR Soft Surgery

In my clinic I use PlexR Soft Surgery, a very elegant, safe (safer than the CO2 laser) and simple method for removing the bumps.

The treatment takes place under local anaesthetic using a numbing cream. You will receive a prescription for the numbing cream; it should be applied about 1 hour before the treatment begins.

After disinfecting the skin, the pearly penile papules are removed one by one with the PlexR; the bumps are effectively vaporised. The treatment lasts 20 to 30 minutes on average, depending on the size and number of PPP. One treatment is usually effective; sometimes several treatments are needed.

After the treatment

After the treatment the penis is dressed with a gauze and ointment. At home you can apply a wound ointment yourself (for example flammazine or betadine ointment). For the first few days the penis may feel a little tender and slightly swollen, but fortunately the small wounds heal very quickly. We advise washing the penis with water and no soap to prevent irritation. After a week most men are completely free of symptoms again.

Contact

Willeke Kamphof specialises in the effective removal of Pearly Penile Papules. Get in touch for tailored advice and an effective treatment plan.