White spots on penis and tight foreskin

Dear Concerned virgin,

Your white-headed spots, as you call them, on the underside of your penis could be genital warts. The bumps could also be pearly penile papules which are common, harmless, and not sexually transmitted. Although their cause is not known, pearly penile papules seem to be more common in uncircumcised men. These papules are frequently misdiagnosed as genital warts. A health care provider can provide a diagnosis and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Since you've mentioned a tight foreskin, it's possible you are experiencing a condition known as phimosis. Having phimosis means that the foreskin cannot be retracted fully (or at all) over the head of the penis. If it causes pain during erection, masturbation, or any other activity, a procedure under local anesthesia can be performed by a health care provider.

It's understandable that you feel less comfortable talking to your health care provider about intimate areas of your body, but rest assured that these conversations happen every day. If you feel as though you won't be able to bring this up with your current provider, you could consider switching to someone with whom you feel more comfortable. Remember, health care providers are trained to have knowledge of and experience with men's sexual health issues. Furthermore, if for some reason you need specialized care, they can make an appropriate referral.

Thinking about your first sexual experience certainly can produce all sorts of thoughts and emotions. You've already demonstrated how thoughtful you are by reaching out for advice. You also may benefit from exploring other Q&As in the Go Ask Alice! Relationships and Sexual and Reproductive Health archives.

Take care, have fun, and be safe!