QUESTION
I have two bumps on the foreskin of my penis. They do not hurt and are not open sores. It seems like they are getting bigger. I tried to squeeze them to see if they would burst and they did not. What do you think they are?

ANSWER
We can speculate, but the only way for you to figure out what these bumps are for sure is to see your doctor. Genital warts are a symptom of HPV and are usually not painful. They can vary in texture, size, and number. Skin cysts are common (and normal) as well as penile papules (also normal). Molluscum (a viral infection) can cause bumps. STDs like syphilis or herpes rarely cause bumps. Whether these bumps are normal or an STD it sounds like you need a checkup!

See a doctor for an examination. You can visit City Clinic for testing opportunities in the San Francisco area or call the CDC National Hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO.

To your health,
Dr. K