Non-painful, flesh-tone bum..

My boyfriend has recently discovered a flesh-colored, non-blister, non-painful bump on his penis, about 1/8 inch across. He believes it is a skin tag (he does get these quite often) and consequently won't go to the doctor about it. I can't force him go to the doctor, obviously, but I am wary about having unprotected sex with him so long as this bump is there (and maybe once it is gone, too, since I don't know what it is).

Any ideas on how I could confirm what this is or isn't (it doesn't seem to resemble either herpes or warts, from the pictures I've seen of each condition), and whether it is safe to have unprotected sex with him (or even protected, since neither HPV nor herpes is 100% protected against with condoms)? Would it be inappropriate of me to see my gynecologist just because he has a bump? I have not experienced any changes or abnormalities, but I'd like to keep it that way!

you sound very educated which is great. it sounds like it could be a skin tag or HPV as you mentioned, but skin tags are more often in places that rub a lot like skin creases such as the armpit or the neck where a person's shirt rubs. i would highly recommend he get it checked out by a physician so you know what it is. he could do this for free at your local planned parenthood or health department. you are also correct that a condom does not protect you 100% since the virus is also present in the skin that a condom does not cover. if you don't have any visible signs being checked by your gyno won't do much. however, i would still recommend it in case there is something present at a spot you are unable to see. you could also be tested for HPV (the strain that causes cell changes on your cervix) during your pap, however they only test for HPV if you have an abnormal pap. also the type of HPV that is tested for during your pap is different from the strain the causes genital warts. the only way to know if you have the strain that causes genital warts is if you visibly have signs. best of luck to ya. for your health he should be concerned enough and respect you enough to find out which it is.