Pearly Penile Papules

Pearly penile papules (“PPP”) are common flesh-coloured or white benign growths (medical term “angiofibromas”) found on the circumference of the rim of the tip (glans) of the penis.

Pearly penile papules are 1-3mm lesions found in 1-3 rows, and sometime a few lesions on the underside of the glans, and may be mistakenly considered to be transmitted sexually (they are not). They cannot be transferred to another person.

These small growths affect many men (studies show prevalence between 14-17%, although some studies show up to 48%), and they are considered a variant of normal. Rare in children, these lesions typically start showing up around the time of puberty. Similar papules have not been reported in women. PPP lesions may be more common in uncircumcised men and in African American men.

Pearly penile papules can be treated with various destructive modalities including electrosurgery, laser, cryotherapy and chemical agents. Our dermatologists have extensive experience treating pearly penile papules, and have treated hundreds of patients from across North America with this embarrassing and common condition. Typically, a strong anesthetic cream is applied prior to the procedure (no needles), and so the treatment is entirely painless and the healing time is approximately 7-10 days. The treatment is also quite affordable, book an appointment for a price quote and to answer all your questions.

Toronto Dermatology Centre is on the cutting edge of treating pearly penile papules in Toronto which although benign, many men and sometimes their partners, find unsightly. Our dermatologists not only diagnose and regularly treat pearly penile papules, they have also published medical articles on this condition to educate other physicians (more than any other North American doctors).

Here is a selection of scientific articles by our renowned dermatologists Dr. Benjamin Barankin and Dr. Anatoli Freiman as they pertain to Pearly Penile Papules (PPP):

• Dermacase: Pearly Penile Papules
• Dome-shaped Penile Papules
• The Journal of Pediatrics – Pearly Penile Papules
• Lesions on the Glans Penis
• Pearly penile papules

Toronto Dermatology Centre is located in Toronto, Ontario, and serves men and women in North York, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, York, Aurora, Thornhill, Mississauga, Scarborough, Brampton, Etobicoke, Pickering, Peterborough, Guelph, Kitchener, Oakville, Barrie and all of Greater Toronto (GTA).