What Are Anal Warts:

Anal warts usually are caused by HPV. HPV is a virus and the warts are the outcome. However, remember that not every growth in the anal area is an anal wart caused by HPV.

It must be diagnosed by your medical doctor only. HPV is very common in sexually active men and women and can sometimes have serious health consequences. About 20 million Americans are currently infected, and about 5.5 million people become newly infected each year.

The virus can infect the Anal genital skin and the linings of the vagina, cervix, rectum, and urethra. They come in different shapes and color.  Typically they present a cauliflower like growth scattered around randomly, however, it might take on different looks that could mimic other skin presentation. For Example: they could look like mole, skin tag, cyst, keratosis, etc.

They come in different shape such as raised, flat, big and small. Many patients have these growth for months and years and they might not even know it. This becomes alarming when patients see multiple lesions and start thinking that they are facing ongoing and spreading disease before seeking medical attention. Many lesions in the anal area  could be easily mistaken by anal warts.

How We Get Anal Warts

I always tell my patients; untreated genital warts have a big chance of infecting the anal area. I have seen so many heterosexual patients in my practice over years with anal warts and almost every single time, patients point out the following concern:

“I am straight and I have never had anal sex “

You don’t have to have anal intercourse, although, anal intercourse increases your chance of infection. Regarding the female anatomy; the vaginal opening is in close proximity to the anus, so the male genital area could be in contact with the perianal area during intercourse.

Needless to say, it is imperative to treat your genital warts before they extend to the anal area. Anal warts create more complications and symptoms than genital warts  and it is harder to treat them and some of which listed as follow:

Symptom:

Itching

Burning

Bleeding

Pain upon defecation  

pain upon sitting

oozing

Odor

Increase Risk And Complication:

Damages to Anal Sphincter (It is area in anus that function as valve to control bowel movment)

Anal Cancer

Anal Fissure

Anal Warts Photo:

Treatment: Please refer to treatment page (link)