What's That on My Penis?
Bumps, lumps, and birthmarks - more mysteries for Leah to solve!
November 10, 1999
Today I got a number of questions asking, in effect, "What's up with this thing on my penis?" So I decided, in the infinite wisdom of Leah, to run them all together. If I continue getting questions of this nature, we'll turn this into a regular feature!
Today's Tough Love Pubic Lice (Crabs) and Scabies is more info on more STDs! These are the creepy crawlies that infest your nether regions and basically have a party in your pants.
Don't forget about today's Bonus Ask Leah: Pregnant and Pressured. He moved in with his girlfriend (at her mom's house), and well, they weren't as careful as they should be. Now she's pregnant! Is he ready to be a dad?
Guess what's coming tomorrow... more pictures of your favorite advice columnist! That's right, my feature all about my trip to Las Vegas will be tomorrow's top story, and there'll be plenty of images for you to peruse, including a few of Leah herself. Be sure to check it out!
- Leah
I am a male of 20 years and I have been reading the articles that have been posted on the page about STD's. My problem is that I think I might have an STD, but that I can't figure out which one. I have small, pimple like bumps on the each side of the shaft of the penis from the root about half way up. They cause no pain, but they seem to have a white head that is hardly visible by the eye. Can you tell me what this might be, I have no idea when I got them, I might have had them forever. I have had intercourse with one person and I was her first also, though I know that STD's can be transmitted other ways.
Thank You,
James
From what my research has shown, I would bet that what you have are milia - little tiny cysts blocked by a keratin plug. Milia are really no big deal, not STD, just something people get on different areas of their skin - like around the eyes. I think they are more common in people who are acne-prone. Bet you had them before you had sex, but maybe you didn't notice. The little plug can come out if squeezed, but I wouldn't recommend doing that too much - it would hurt because of their location and possibly could get infected. If one grew big, that could be worrisome, but if tiny, they are nothing to fret about.
As with all things described, I have to say that (fortunately) I can't see what you are talking about so I can only guess. For peace of mind, why not show them to the doctor? I don't know if he would take the cores out or prescribe something to get rid of them on that very tender skin, but maybe.
- Leah
Quick question.. I have these white bumps covering a small portion of my scrotum.. They have been there a while, they don't hurt.. It is only a little area but I noticed it has begun to spread a little more.. I am a virgin and have no idea what it is.. I am a bit embarrassed about it..
Thanks
Those little bumps could be little cysts or they could be hair follicles depending partly on how old your are. They could also be regular (NOT venereal) warts – flat ones called "planar warts." Probably nothing to worry about and certainly nothing to be embarrassed about (and, if you're a virgin, certainly not related to STD's). I am sure your doctor could tell you precisely what these are and maybe even how to keep them from spreading. Though many scrotums have little bumps on them. Bumpy things, those scroti!
- Leah
I recently found out that some birthmarks can lead to cancer. This causes some worries for me. I have a birthmark or some form of pigment on my penis. Is there such thing as that kind of cancer or will it lead to testicular cancer?
First let's get one worry out of the way. A birthmark on your penis will not lead to testicular cancer.
Not all that many birthmarks lead to skin cancer (and some of them need sun exposure to do so) or are associated with internal cancers, but once you hear that some can do so, it is understandable to worry (especially about such a valuable area!). Why not show the spot to your doctor next time you see him/her? Doctors understand that people worry about things like that and should be able to set your mind at ease.
But chances are, your birthmark will someday be really cute and special to somebody you love, and otherwise have no effect on your life.
- Leah
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