Does a bump on the base of a penis indicate herpes?

Any new growth, bump, or ulcer on the genitals should be evaluated by a qualified physician as soon as possible. The types of physicians that are qualified to diagnose and treat these types of things include family doctors and internal medicine specialists. A new bump on the penis could be a sign of a few different infections. Herpes is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus which causes painful, burning, ulcers that last for a few weeks and resolve only to re-appear again during times when the immune system is working at full capacity. The description of your lesion as a bump about the size of a dime, could be herpes, but it doesn't fit the description exactly. Another possibility is syphilis. Syphilis is caused by the bacteria Treponema Pallidum. The initial infection causes a painless skin ulcer known as a chancre. It is possible that what you have is not an STD at all. That's why you need to have it checked out. I suggest that you schedule an appointment with your primary care physician. He or she can take a close look at the bump on your penis and hopefully determine what it is. Your doctor may also decide to send off some blood work or a culture. Good luck.