What Are the Treatments for Anal Warts in Men?

Anal warts, also known as condyloma acuminate, are growths that appear around the genitals and anus of the infected person. The anal warts may start out as very small, but progressively get larger. Symptoms of anal warts include itching, bleeding and discharge from the affected site. Both men and women can get anal warts. If you are a man with anal warts, you have several treatment options.

Topical Medications

If a man is diagnosed with anal warts, his doctor will likely try topical treatments first to remove the growths. The doctor may recommend podophyllin or bichloracetic acid for the warts. These drugs have the ability to exfoliate the anal warts, which causes them to fall off the body. These medications are available as ointments and applied directly to the anal warts. It will likely take several weeks until they disappear completely.

Cauterization

If the anal warts in the man are severe or do not respond to topical medications, electrical cauterization will likely be the next method used to remove them. This procedure will be done on an outpatient basis using a local anesthetic to numb the area. The physician will then burn the anal warts off of the body.

Freezing

A doctor may decide to treat anal warts by freezing them off of the body. This procedure will also be done on an outpatient basis where a local anesthetic is given. While numb, the physician will apply liquid nitrogen to the anal warts to get them to instantly fall off.

Surgical Removal

If the man has anal warts inside of the rectum or he has multiple warts, surgical removal is likely to be recommended by a physician. While sedated, a surgeon will remove the anal warts from the man using a scalpel. In lieu of using a scalpel, you may be eligible to undergo laser surgery to treat the anal warts. Your doctor will evaluate your condition to decide on the best treatment method. You may need multiple surgeries since anal warts can reoccur. You must have follow up visits with your doctor to determine if multiple treatments are necessary.

References

• American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons