Anal warts, also known condyloma, are growths found on the skin around the anus or in the lower region of the rectum. Anal warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is typically transmitted through sexual contact.
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What Are Anal Warts?
Anal warts, or condyloma, is a condition that causes growths of skin around the region of the anus, or inside the lower rectum. These growths occur as a result of contracting the sexually transmitted infection human papillomavirus (HPV). There are many types of HPV and each strain can cause warts in different locations.
Warts may occur around the genitals, including on the penis, scrotum, vagina, or labia. But HPV can also lead to warts on the hands and feet. HPV can be present in the tissue of the body but remain inactive. The growth of warts can occur anywhere from one to six months after exposure to HPV.
How common are anal warts?
Anal warts are a result of the human papilloma virus – the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. HPV is estimated to have a 9% to 13% infection rate of the world’s population.
What causes anal warts?
Anal warts are directly linked to contracting the human papillomavirus. HPV strains 6 and 11 are the most common cause of condyloma.
Complications of anal warts
Left undiagnosed or untreated, some anal warts may have no symptoms. However, in others, they can cause discomfort, bleeding, and/or deep lesions in the skin that could lead to further infection or complications. There can also be psychological effects with anal warts, including feelings of anger, anxiety, and/or guilt. Sexually transmitted infections can also bring about fears of later infertility.
How can I prevent anal warts?
Anal warts are a direct result of the sexually transmitted infection HPV.
To prevent anal warts, you should:
- Check with your sexual partners to know if they have HPV or symptoms of anal warts before participating in sexual activity.
- Refrain from sexual activity until treatment for condyloma is complete.
- Use condoms as they offer some – but not complete – protection.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Anal Warts?
Anal warts will appear as growths of skin located:
- In and around the genital region.
- In the mouth.
- On the hands and/or feet.
These growths may not create discomfort but can be unsightly or obstructive when they appear around the anus or inside the lower region of the rectum. Some cases of condyloma can persist for as long as two years.
How Do You Diagnose Anal Warts?
Your doctor will be able to diagnose anal warts through a visual examination and additional testing to confirm.
Tests include:
- Colposcopy — A small camera used to magnify the affected region to get a closer look and better understanding of the condition.
- Polymerase chain reaction — A gene typing and DNA detection test to confirm the presence of HPV.
- Acetic acid test — Involves applying a 5% acetic acid to the lesion to monitor the reaction. Areas of the lesion that turn white may raise concern for dysplasia — abnormal cell growth that may indicate the early stages of cancer.
How Do You Treat Anal Warts?
There are several methods of treating anal warts, with the goal of treatment to reduce your discomfort and eliminate the warts in areas affected. Treatment options will be decided based on the location, number, and size of the warts.
Options include:
- Cauterization — If you have numerous warts, your doctor may choose to remove them surgically in a same-day procedure that can be completed at a surgery center or hospital.
- Cryotherapy — In this method, the warts are briefly exposed to liquid nitrogen to freeze the growths. This course of treatment can take six to 10 weeks to complete.
- Ointments — Some cases of condyloma can be treated at home with ointments and supplements provided by your doctor.
- Podophyllin or bichloracetic acids (BCAs) — These solutions are applied directly to the warts to cause them to slough off. This treatment can be done in the doctor’s office in just a few minutes.
How effective is treatment?
Anal warts can be difficult to treat, but they are curable. Treatment options like surgical removal have a high efficacy rate of nearly 100%, with a 20% to 30% chance of recurrence.
Treatments like ointments and cryotherapies may be more cost-effective and generally less intrusive, but can be less effective in eliminating the warts. Cryotherapies can clear about 50% to 75% of anal warts cases with a recurrence rate of about 20% to 40%. Ointments and acid solutions can have a clearance rate of about 45% to 80%, but can have a higher chance of recurrence.
Your doctor will determine the best treatment option for you based on the severity of your condition.
