Men are often very worried when they find spots on their penises. In this article, we’ll describe the different types of penile spots and their colours that you might find.

Penile spots are not usually a sign of anything very serious. But nearly always, it’s good idea to show the spots to your Sexologist.

Please bear in mind that most penile spots that you might find there are likely to be completely harmless. But some aren’t!

It’s understandable that men can be very concerned if they notice spots on their penis.

Men also get alarmed about the sometimes rather unpleasant physical appearance of a ‘spotty’ penis, and what their sexual partner or partners might think of it. This is quite understandable.

However, very tiny and harmless ‘bumps’ and spots on the penis, alarming though they may be, they are unlikely to be noticed by a sex partner.

Where could one seek medical help?

If you’re concerned about a spot (or spots) on your penis, please ask a sexual medicine specialist doctor to have a look at it.

Now let’s look at some really common penile spots:

Fordyce spots

White or yellow spots on your penis

These are tiny white or yellowish spots, found on the head of the penis or the shaft.

If your skin is brown or black, they may look more prominent. They are normal.

They’re minute sebaceous glands and are just part of the natural structure of many penises.

Many men also have them around their lips.

Fordyce spots are not sexually transmitted and they don’t do any harm. There’s absolutely no need for any treatment.

Pearly papules

Small bumps on your penis

Pearly penile papules are also normal. They are very small bumps, the same colour as your skin, but with a pearly appearance. They usually appear around the glans (head) of the penis in a row.

Again, they are not sexually transmitted, and they don’t need any treatment. But if you really want them removed for cosmetic reasons, this is sometimes possible.

Hair follicles

As you know, virtually all men have quite a few hairs growing around the base of the penis. And often, the hairs extend some distance up the underside of the organ.

Human hairs grow out of a tiny ‘pit’, which is called a ‘follicle’. And very frequently, the follicles on the penis may be quite prominent. This is nothing to worry about and no treatment is needed.

Septic spots

Pimples on your penis

Obviously, people do often get pimples, or ‘septic spots’ on their faces and on other parts of the body. They’re particularly common in young adults.

Sometimes a small pimple appears on the penis. This is not a serious matter and no treatment is needed.

Do not squeeze the spot, because you may spread infection.

Don’t have sex with anyone till it’s completely gone. However, if something that you think is a pimple hasn’t gone away within a week, ask a doctor to check it out.

Genital warts

Pink, brown or black spots on your penis

In contrast, genital warts do need treatment. And they are transmitted by sexual contact.

They are pink, brown, ivory-coloured or black.

Occasionally, they grow out of the opening at the tip of the organ.

They are caused by one of the human papilloma viruses (HPV), which like living in warm, moist parts of the human body.

Genital warts are easily passed on during vaginal, oral or anal sex

It is strongly recommended that you go to a sexologist if you suspect you have genital warts, partly to make sure that your diagnosis is correct.

Treatment is either by application of special creams, or else by removing the wart altogether – for instance with an electric probe or laser. This is virtually painless.

Do not have sex until the doctor says that you are completely cured.

Molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum produces tiny, dome-shaped, pearly lumps on the skin. These spots are pink or brown (depending on your skin colour), and they usually have a little dimple on top. If they are squeezed, a little cheesy-looking material comes out from under this dimple.

Molloscum contagiosum is caused by a virus that is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. For this reason, a lot of children develop the spots, often on their chests or sides, after playing with other kids.

There are some more serious causes of spots on the penis.

Syphilis

Red spots on your penis

Syphilis is a very serious STD. The incidence has increased in 2015-16, and there are now over 5,000 cases a year. The majority of these are in gay men.

After an incubation period of nine to 90 days, syphilis announces its arrival when a painless lump (about the size of a 5p piece) appears on the penis – or at any other site of sexual contact.

Depending on your skin colour, the lump will be dull red or brown or black. It soon breaks down into a raw place (an ulcer), which is also painless.

What helps to make this disease so dangerous is that the ulcer soon goes away – and you may well think you are cured. You aren’t.

If you have the slightest suspicion that a bump or ulcer on your penis might be due to syphilis, get to specialist rapidly for an examination and tests.

Happily, this infection is very curable – if caught early. Do not have sex with anyone until you’ve been pronounced cured.

Herpes

Blisters on your penis

Herpes causes tiny blisters, rather than actual spots, on the penis (and at other points of sexual contact). It’s caused by a virus, which is transmitted during sex (including oral sex).

The first symptom is usually a reddish or brownish discolouration on the penis. This soon breaks down into a number of small blisters, filled with straw-coloured fluid.

These can be painful. They usually last for several weeks, and then vanish. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean you are cured.

If you have the slightest suspicion that you might have caught herpes, get yourself to a sexologist as soon as possible.

You will be given treatment with an anti-viral agent. You will be given you advice about how long you should abstain from sex – and what precautions you should take when you resume.

Tropical venereal diseases

Several tropical sex infections cause a little brownish or pinkish bump on the penis, which looks quite like the lump caused by syphilis (please see above).

Often the glands in your groin swell up too. So if you’ve recently had sex in a tropical country – or had sex with someone who’s come from a tropical country – you could be a risk. If in doubt, go to a GUM clinic for expert diagnosis and tests.

The diseases they’ll be looking for are:

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV);
Chancroid (soft sore);
Granuluma inguinale.

To summarize, If you have any unexplained spot (or spots) on your penis, Go to a good sexologist and get yourself diagnosed.

Make an Appointment with Dr. Sharmila Majumdar at the Sexual & Mental Health Clinic, Avis Hospital, Hyderabad