Man cured of penile papules after 30 years of mistaking them for STI

They are common bumps that strike up to 43 percent of the male population. Yet, despite this, Steven Mogot had no idea that the tiny, flesh-colored growths on his penis were both normal and harmless.

In fact, he spent years mistaking hirsuties coronae glandis – or Pearly Penile Papules – for a sexually transmitted infection and avoided physical intimacy. Now, the 37-year-old is bravely speaking out to inform other men after being rid of the skin condition in just 30 minutes.

Treated at London’s Wimpole Aesthetics, he’s now completely free of the ‘unsightly’ cobblestone appearance which once blighted his confidence.

Here, he reveals his journey to treatment and urges other men to do the same.

Steven Mogot, from the Cotswolds, first noticed his papules when he was aged 10

Steven Mogot, from the Cotswolds, first noticed his papules when he was aged 10

I was 10 years old when I first noticed the papules but didn’t pay much attention at the time. I was too young to care.

It was only years later, after watching a porn film in my teenage years, that I started to wonder why my penis didn’t look like those of other men around me. Too embarrassed to tell anyone, I felt alone and that I was hiding a big secret.

The internet didn’t exist back then and I didn’t know what I was looking for, so couldn’t do much research. For years I just assumed I had genital warts and was ashamed.

I lived this way for years – pretending that I didn’t enjoy oral sex so that my partners would never see how I looked. This was, of course, a lie.

But when a male friend at university confided in me that he was concerned by ‘spots’ on his penis, we agreed to visit the local GUM clinic together.

This was good for him – he simply had a follicle issue that a cream would clear up, but I was diagnosed with PPP or penile pearly papules.

The experience was a shock for me. On the one hand, I was reassured because the doctor told me it was ‘harmless’ and ‘relatively common’, but she also said they were ‘unsightly’. That word would resound in my head for years to come.

Eventually, at the age of 37 and after endless worry, I finally discovered there was a treatment that could remove the nodules. Best of all, I was assured it was safe and pain-free.

Within weeks I was having the treatment.

Before and after:  An illustration of how pearly papules appear on the penis head

Before and after:  An illustration of how pearly papules appear on the penis head

Inhibited: Convinced he had a STI, he avoided physical intimacy and felt ashamed

Inhibited: Convinced he had an STI, he avoided physical intimacy and felt ashamed

First, the doctor applied anesthetic cream to numb the head of my penis, then – twenty minutes later – he used a C02 laser to remove the papules.

There was a slight ‘burning of hair’ smell and a mild tickling sensation, but no pain. And, best of all,  I could see the results immediately.

On week later and I was fully healed with a completely smooth penis. Thankfully, there was no trace of the papules.

These days, six months on from the procedure, I feel restored. I feel normal and my body is how it always should’ve been.

My penis doesn’t feel any different. In fact, the only difference in ‘feeling’ is my confidence, which has greatly improved.

My only regret is that I knew about the procedure sooner. I urge other concerned men to follow suit and live their lives to the fullest.

Free: Now, after undergoing a minor procedure, his penis is completely rid of papules 

Free: Now, after undergoing a minor procedure, his penis is completely rid of papules 

WHAT ARE PEARLY PENILE PAPULES?

These are small, flesh-colored lumps normally found on the head of the penis.

They usually go all the way around the penis head in one or two rows. These lumps are normal and harmless.

They can often be mistaken for genital warts – however, they are completely harmless.

They are not sexually transmitted or caused by bad hygiene. Experts believe they are just a skin variation.

They don’t cause symptoms and don’t require treatment.

Figures suggest between eight and 43 percent of men have pearly penile papules.

What did the surgeon do?

The surgeon who performed the £700 treatment, Dr. Joshua Berkowitz, says it is surprisingly simple and remarkably low-risk.

‘I use a CO2 laser combined with the local anesthetic cream,’ he tells MailOnline.

‘This method is safe, efficacious, and accurate. After the procedure the healing is quick and all is back to normal about a week later.

‘The treatment ensures a completely papule-free result and does not alter normal penis sensation and sensitivity.’

Yet, ironically, it’s the psychological result which has the biggest benefit.

‘In themselves the papules are innocent and without any symptoms but they often arouse some anxiety, adds Dr Berkowitz.

‘Reassurance from a medical practitioner may be all that is needed but most patients would prefer to remove the papules if possible.

‘In fact, it’s become one of our most popular procedures at the clinic. Many of these men leave feeling more confident than ever.’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk