What's this Wart?
Dear Dr. Dick,
The other night I took home a date from the bar. He was giving me head when he felt a wart-like thing on my pole. I turned on the lights and there it was! It doesn't hurt, itch or ooze and it is pretty small - but it has wasn't there before - Dr. WHAT is it?
Thanks
Magnum
Dear Magnum,
Thanks for your question!
First things first, have a doctor take a look at it to be sure!
In the mean time, it sounds like you might have acquired Genital Human Papillomavirus Virus (HPV). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. At least 50% of sexually active people will have genital HPV at some time in their lives, and often acquire HPV in the first few months/years of sexual activity, as it's easily spread. Most people who have genital HPV don't even know they have it. There are often no symptoms, and the warts which are an expression of HPV usually go away on their own--without causing any serious health problems.
HPV is passed on through genital contact (such as vagina, oral, and anal sex) and without even knowing it. There is no cure for the infection itself, HPV, but there are treatments for the health problems that some types of HPV can cause, like genital warts. The warts are usually painless and not a serious problem. They can be flat or raised, single or in groups, and small or large. And, they can be caused by many different kinds of HPV, only some of which are associated with more serious disease, like anal and cervical cancer and cancer of the throat.
Without treatment, the warts may grow in size and number, or (again) they may go away on their own. Since you possibly have acquired genital HPV infection and may have a wart, see your doctor about available tests for genital HPV. Although there is no treatment for that cures HPV itself, there are treatments for genital warts such as laser removal, burning, cutting, topical chemotherapy, or freezing them off. Even after genital warts are treated, the virus remains in the body. This means that you may still pass HPV to your sex partners, even when you don't see any warts.
So, Magnum go see a doctor (in-person) and have it looked at - that is the best way to know for sure. In the meantime, be sure to wear a condom if you do have sex with anyone else.
And, since HPV can be spread orally even without warts being present, a condom for oral sex would help protect your partner.
All the best,
Dr. Dick
(Reposted 5/25/2012)