What You Need to Know about Anal Warts

In the medical profession, the condition of having anal warts is known as condyloma. These unsightly growths are caused by HPV or the human pappilloma virus. As the name suggests, these growths are normally found around the rectal opening, in the lower rectum, and even inside the anal canal. As this condition is said to be prevalent among the gay community, it is proven that anal warts is normally transmitted through sexual intercourse or specifically anal intercourse. The time of the initial exposure to the first outbreak may take one to six months, although in some cases it may take years. People who have anal warts may have one to ten of them.

At first, the warts may appear as just tiny blemishes. They can start from a very size like that of a head of a pin and may eventually grow into sizes like that of a pea. At small sizes, they may not cause any pain or discomforting feeling, but obviously, when they grow big enough, they can cause a lot of discomfort or inconvenience as the human anal region is a sensitive part of the body. Sometimes too people infected with anal warts may be unaware that they have them.

The virus causing the disorder would normally stay inactive even inside the body before and after its outbreak. Because of this they most probably will cause another outbreak at any period of time even after the initial outbreak and its symptoms have been removed. One of the things that is bothersome about the condition is that they show no visible symptoms. Some people though may experience some burning, itching, bleeding, and unknown moisture in the anal area. Hence, it is always advised to seek professional help when one experiences discomfort or pain in these rather sensitive areas to be able to get quick diagnoses.

A short instrument called an anoscope is used by medical practitioners to study any activity or condition behind one’s sphincter muscles, the area inside the rectal opening. After being inserted in to the anus, the doctor will be able to see any growths found in the skin of anal canal. After this process, the doctor will be able to proceed and give the patients options on how to treat the said condition.

As of today, there are enough options to choose from when it comes to treating anal warts. Doctors may decide on starting with a medication program, a surgical removal, cauterization, or a laser surgery. Of course, like any other disorder, some factors may also be considered before deciding on the kind of treatment to get involved in. This includes the number of the anal warts presents, the location of these growths, and the sizes of the warts.

Direct application of bichloracetic acid or podophyllin to the anal warts may exfoliate the warts. This process is simple and easy and may be done in the doctor’s clinic and should take just a few minutes. Cauterization, on the other hand, will involve numbing the warts and burning them off. Again, depending on doctor’s assessment, one should be able to successfully remove anal warts, but careful attention must be given to one’s sexual health as the virus may most likely cause another outbreak.