Anal warts are resulting from a common key in of virus, thehuman papillomavirus (HPV).
Many people will not know that they have anal warts, as there may not be any symptoms.
Most anal warts are not associated with cancer, but a small percentage are.
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Above all, that is why you should probably have them examined and evaluated by a doctor.
However, anal warts and hemorrhoids are treated differently, as they have different causes.
Gardasil 9 is thevaccinethat protects against nine strains of HPV.
The vaccine cannot treat current HPV infections.
A diagnosis of anal warts is usually done through a visual inspection.
In most cases, looking at the growths will be enough to determine that they are anal warts.
An anoscope is inserted into the anus to look inside and find any abnormalities, such as anal warts.
For women, part of the diagnosis process might include apelvic exam.
In some cases, a case may simply be monitored before any treatment begins.
However, you should know that anal warts tend to spread, becoming more numerous and growing larger.
Still, most are not brought on by these strains and anal cancer is rare.
Making a choice on treatment or watchful waiting should be decided by the patient and the physician together.
In some instances, topical treatments are given by prescription and can be applied to the warts at home.
Warts might take one or more treatment sessions for removal, especially if they are numerous or large.
These are valid reasons that should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Watchful Waiting
Choosing not to treat is a choice that should be discussed alongside other treatment options.
After-Treatment Care
Removal methods with topical treatments may not require any time off from work or school.
A physician may recommend some over-the-counter pain medications that can help relieve discomfort.
In some cases, anal warts may recur after treatment.
This could be because the underlying cause, which is the HPV virus, has not cleared.
Recurrent warts may be treated again.
A discussion of how HPV may be transmitted to future sexual partners may be part of follow-up care.
A Word From Verywell
Finding out that one has anal warts can be distressing.
While the cause of warts is HPV, its important to remember that these viruses are extremely common.
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.Anal warts.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital HPV infection fact sheet.
World Health Organization.Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer.
Centers for Disease Control and Infection.Anogenital warts.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Reasons to get vaccinated.
Mistrangelo M, Dal Conte I, Volpatto S, et al.Current treatments for anal condylomata acuminata.Minerva Chir.
