Pearly Penile Papules

What are Pearly Penile Papules?

Pearly penile papules are not STDs, but some people worry about STDs when they see them. Pearly penile papules are upgrowing, smooth, small, dome- or finger-shaped, skin-colored papules that are located on the sulcus or the corona of the glans penis (Brown, 2001). While the lesions are often mistaken for sexually transmitted diseases such as genital warts (which is a source of anxiety and fear for those who have not yet received the diagnosis of pearly penile papules), they are not contagious. The lesions, which are usually found around the corona in one or more rows, are actually just natural anatomical variants (Brown, 2001). It is not known what causes pearly penile papules to develop.

Frequency

In the US:

Created April 18, 2004, last updated July 25, 2006