Are pearly penile papules (PPP) a sign of an STI?

No. Pearly penile papules aren’t caused by an infection, and they aren’t linked to sex or poor hygiene. They can’t be passed on to a partner, and they aren’t cancer or a sign of cancer.

They’re a normal variation in the skin of the penis, and a study found no HPV, the virus that causes genital warts, in them.

Pearly penile papules are:

• tiny bumps, skin-coloured to pink
• dome-shaped or thread-like
• found around the rim of the head of the penis, often in one or more neat rows

They don’t usually cause any symptoms, although they often cause worry, especially in younger men. They’re more common in men who aren’t circumcised, and they tend to become less noticeable with age.

Very common. Studies have found them in between 8% and 48% of men, depending on the group studied. They usually appear in the late teens or early adulthood and are rare in children.

Nobody knows exactly what causes them.

Genital warts can look similar, and UK guidelines list pearly penile papules as one of the things doctors need to tell apart from warts.

• Pearly penile papules are tiny, even bumps in neat rows around the head of the penis. They’re not infectious.
• Genital warts can appear anywhere around the genitals or anus, on their own or in groups that can look like a cauliflower. They can be soft or firm, and white, red, skin-coloured or darker. They’re caused by HPV and passed on through sex.

Genital warts can take weeks to many months to appear after sex, and they sometimes go away on their own within 6 months. Read more in “7 things you need to know about Genital Warts”

Fordyce spots

Small, smooth, yellow-white spots that are visible oil glands. They can appear on the shaft or head of the penis, where they’re sometimes called Tyson glands. They’re found in about 80% of adults and aren’t infectious.

Molluscum contagiosum

Small, raised, dome-shaped spots with a shiny dimple in the middle, usually in groups. It’s a viral skin infection passed on through skin-to-skin contact, and in adults it can affect the genitals. It usually clears up within 18 months.

Syphilis

The first sign of Syphilis is usually a painless sore, often just one, on the penis or around the anus. Later, it can cause white or grey warty growths. Any new sore or growth is worth getting checked. Read more in “What does a Syphilis sore look like?”

No. Pearly penile papules are harmless, and they often become less noticeable with age.

If they bother you, a dermatologist can remove them with laser treatment, electrosurgery or freezing. But it’s a cosmetic procedure, and there’s a risk of scarring. Read more in “Can STIs cause pimples?”

If you’re not sure what a bump is, especially if it’s new or appeared after sex with a new partner, it’s worth getting it checked. Better2Know offers:

• Blemish Screen: tests a swab from a bump, blister or sore on or around your genitals for Herpes 1, Herpes 2, HPV and Syphilis, with results in 5 days. You can book it at one of our clinics or order a Blemish Screen home test kit.
• HPV (Human Papillomavirus) and Genital Warts: a swab test for HPV, with results in 3 days. Men need a visible wart or growth that can be swabbed.
• Full Screen: tests blood and urine for 7 infections, including HIV and Syphilis, from 28 days after sex, with results in 3 days. If you test before 45 days, a negative HIV result needs a repeat test. A Syphilis test in the first 3 months after sex can miss the infection, so you may need a repeat test.

Not sure which test you need? Our Patient Care Team is available 24/7 on 020 7099 0955.

Can pearly penile papules spread to a partner?

No. They aren’t infectious or contagious, unlike genital warts.

Do pearly penile papules go away?

They often become less noticeable with age, and they’re less common in men who are circumcised.

Can women get something similar?

Yes. Women can have similar harmless bumps on the vulva, called vulval papillomatosis, which can also be mistaken for warts. Read more in “What can be mistaken for Herpes?”

Pearly penile papules are a normal, harmless variation, not an STI, and they don’t need treatment. If you’re not sure whether a bump is PPP or something else, such as genital warts, getting it checked will give you peace of mind.

Book a Blemish Screen at a clinic near you or order a home test kit. Our Patient Care Team is available 24/7 on 020 7099 0955.

Not in the UK? Choose your country from the selector at the top of the page for local tests and prices.

This article was last updated on 1 October 2026.

Medical review. This article was medically reviewed by Dr Steve Chapman, Doctor with a wealth of clinical experience in the field of STIs, on 9 December 2024. It is general information and not a substitute for personal medical advice.

Sources

1. DermNet, Pearly penile papules, 2008. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/pearly-penile-papules
2. Primary Care Dermatology Society, Pearly penile papules, updated 27 July 2021. https://www.pcds.org.uk/clinical-guidance/pearly-penile-papules
3. Love LW, Badri T, Ramsey ML. Pearly penile papule. StatPearls, updated 14 April 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK442028/
4. DermNet, Fordyce spots, revised July 2021. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/fordyce-spots
5. British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, National guideline for the management of anogenital warts in adults, 2024. https://www.bashh.org/_userfiles/pages/files/resources/agw_2024.pdf
6. NHS, Genital warts, reviewed 10 July 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/genital-warts/
7. NHS, Human papillomavirus (HPV), reviewed 10 March 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/human-papilloma-virus-hpv/
8. NHS, Molluscum contagiosum, reviewed 14 May 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/molluscum-contagiosum/
9. NHS, Syphilis, reviewed 17 March 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/syphilis/
10. British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, UK guidelines for the management of syphilis, 2024. https://bashh.org/_userfiles/pages/files/syphilis_2024.pdf
11. British HIV Association, British Association for Sexual Health and HIV and British Infection Association, Adult HIV testing guidelines, 2020. https://bhiva.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/HIV-testing-guidelines-2020.pdf