Experiencing Spots on Your Penis?

Spots on the penis can be an unsettling sight for men, and they don’t exactly do wonders for the ladies when they’re noticeable either. Although penis spots can be caused by a variety of factors, they are also a known symptom of STDs. If they persist, STD testing can be instrumental in pinpointing their cause.

What’s Causing Spots on Penis?

Spots on the penis can come as the result of skin irritation or an allergic reaction. Spots on the penis may appear after using new soap, detergent, or lubricant, especially in men with sensitive skin. On the other hand, spots on the penis can also be indicative of genital herpes, a sexually transmitted disease caused by skin-to-skin contact.

Spots on Penis: A Common Herpes Symptom

Many people assume that genital herpes sores are notably uncomfortable by nature, but in reality, herpes spots on the penis can be painless. In fact, it's easy enough to mistake spots on the penis for allergy bumps or not even notice them at all. On the other hand, spots on the penis resulting from herpes may start to blister and can cause discomfort.

Spots on Penis: When to Undergo Herpes Testing

Although spots on the penis don't always spell herpes, testing should be considered if the sores are causing pain and are accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as fever and body aches. Additionally, if spots on the penis appear following unprotected intercourse, or after intercourse with someone known to have genital herpes, testing should be performed to pinpoint the source of the sores.

Spots on Penis: Treatment Can Help

Although there is no absolute cure for genital herpes, medication is available to minimize the severity of outbreaks and reduce the frequency of future recurrences. An accurate herpes diagnosis can only be made following STD testing, and once the right medication is given, penile sores may start to quickly disappear.

Avoiding Spots on Penis and Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is one of the trickiest STDs to avoid, as it can be transmitted even when condoms are used. The only way to definitively steer clear of genital herpes is to abstain from sexual contact or limit it to a single partner confirmed to be free of infection.