Skip to content

Anal Warts

What are anal warts?

Anal warts (condyloma acuminata) are a type of genital wart that occurs inside or around the anus.  Anal warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection, and are spread through sexual or skin-to-skin contact.  While there is no cure for HPV, anal warts are treatable.  If left untreated, anal warts caused by certain strains of HPV could lead to cancer.

Anal warts begin as tiny, soft, dome-shaped bumps.  They’re light brown, yellow, pink, or flesh-colored, and may leak fluid.  Warts can multiply quickly and form large, cauliflower-like clusters.  Anal warts are contagious, and spread easily.

What are the symptoms of anal warts?

The symptoms of anal warts include:
  • Soft lumps in or around the anus
  • Rectal itching
  • Bleeding
  • Leaking discharge from your anus (caused by internal anal warts)

How are anal warts treated?

Dr. Meyerson will do a sigmoidoscopy to look in your anus with a flexible lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope to determine if you have anal warts.  Anal warts need to be removed or they will spread or become larger if left untreated.  Treatment varies depending on the symptoms, location, and size of your anal warts.  In most cases, topical ointments will eliminate external anal warts.  When anal warts are large or inside your rectum, Dr. Meyerson will remove them via an in-office procedure.  Anal warts can come back even if you’ve completed treatment because HPV remains in the body.  There is no cure for HPV.  Dr. Meyerson recommends regular checks to proactively identify and remove anal warts that may return.