WHEN lumps appear on the penis it can be worrying, especially when we are told to watch for them in connection with cancer or STIs.

It may be something you avoid dealing with, but knowing when to seek help is important.

These are often completely harmless pimples or bumps on the skin, but in some cases they are a bit more sinister.

They can appear singly or in clusters and can vary in size, and they can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as discharge.

If you experience any pain or unusual symptoms, it may be time to consider seeing your doctor.

Let’s take a look at what could be causing white spots on your member.

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Acne doesn’t just happen on the face, it can also occur on the back, chest, and other parts of the body, including your penis.

Pimples appear when your pores are infected with bacteria.

Most spots will only cause slight discomfort and go away on their own.

But remember, you should never pop a pimple – especially there – as it can lead to further infection and inflammation, something you definitely don’t want on your manhood.

Ingrown hairs

When you have ingrown hairs, you will notice a small lump on the skin that can sometimes be painful to the touch.

If you epilate or shave this area, you are more likely to have ingrown hairs.

Most ingrown hairs grow on their own, but if you start to notice any signs of infection – think of pus – then you need to treat them.

You can try things like an exfoliation or a warm compress to help clear it up.

In severe cases, such as when infected, it may need to be treated with antibiotics.

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Penile papules

This might be the one you’ve never heard of.

Penile papules are small, non-cancerous bumps that appear on the head of the penis.

They often occur in rows that surround the head and can be pink, yellow, white, or transparent.

It is not known what causes papules, but they are harmless and do not require treatment unless they become painful.

If they bother you, you can cryosurgery or remove them with a laser.

White lumps – Fordyce spots

Fordyce spots are small white or flesh-colored bumps on your manhood caused by enlarged sebaceous glands (sebaceous glands).

You might notice only one, or you might notice 50 or more.

They are harmless and are not captured during unprotected sex.

People are born with Fordyce spots but aren’t noticeable until puberty, when hormonal changes make them bigger.

But if they cause discomfort or you just want to remove them, there are many surgical options, including laser and electrosurgery, to have them removed.

In a 2021 medical article, French doctors revealed that tiny white pimples, called Fordyce spots, are visible on the penis of around 9% of men.

They can also appear in the lips of women, on the inside of the cheeks or on the lips.

Genital warts

Genital warts are small, fleshy growths that appear on or around the genital area or around your buttocks.

They are the second most common type of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) after chlamydia.

It is a viral infection of the skin caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Warts are usually painless and do not pose a threat to your health, but they can be itchy.

And they can be ugly to look at, which can be overwhelming for some people.

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It can take months or even years for warts to develop after an HPV infection.

So if you’re in a relationship and have genital warts, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your partner has had sex with other people.

Herpes

Herpes is another STI that can cause spots on your manhood.

Herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) that causes painful, itchy blisters on the genitals and the areas around them.

It is a long-term, chronic illness and the virus stays in your body for the rest of your life.

This means that it can become active again.

HSV is contagious and can be transmitted through unprotected sex.

Even if a person with genital herpes does not have any symptoms, it is possible that they can pass the disease on to a sexual partner.

According to the NHS, around eight in ten people who carry the virus don’t know it.

Yeast infections

You might think thrush is something only women get, but it’s not exactly exclusive.

Thrush is caused by a group of yeasts called Candida.

It develops when there is an imbalance of microorganisms, causing Candida to multiply.

In men, it can cause redness around the head of the penis as well as white / yellow spots, irritation, and discharge.

It is possible that thrush can be spread during sex – although it is not an STI.

Doctors advise both sexual partners to seek treatment at the same time to avoid reinfection.

Balanitis

Balanitis is pain, redness, and swelling of the tip of the penis and foreskin.

It can also cause whitish, lumpy discharge and spots and is often caused by an allergic reaction or irritation.

Your doctor may prescribe antibacterial or antifungal creams to eliminate the disease.

Stretching exercises to loosen the foreskin may also be needed to reduce inflammation.

Testicular cancer

As you descend from the penis to the scotum, it is important to know that a lump in this area could be a sign of cancer.

Typical symptoms are a swelling or painless lump in one of the testicles, or any change in the shape or texture of the testicles.

Testicular cancer is considered quite rare, diagnosed in 2,300 men per year. But it is the most common cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 49.

The NHS says the lumps there are generally harmless and random. But it’s always worth seeing the GP if you find them.

This is why it is important to smell your testicles often so you know what is normal for you and when something seems “off”.

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