OBJECTIVES: To estimate the annual number and frequency of medical consultations for EGW in dermatology, gynaecology, proctology and in Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinics (STDC) in France. METHODS: This is an observational study with patients recruited prospectively from representative physicians samples. Data related to the management of EGW was retrieved for all patients suffering from EGW and willing to take part in the study, during one 2-week period in June 2004. RESULTS: The patients (n = 308) were recruited by the physician sample that included 198 gynaecologists, 102 dermatologists, 50 proctologists and 122 physicians working in 51 STDCs. The annual number of consultations for EGW is estimated at 423,751 (36% for dermatologists, 53% for gynaecologists, 6% for proctologists, 5% in STDC). The annual number of visits for a new episode of EGW amounted to 160,247, representing 38% of the consultations. The annual frequency of consultation is 1,1 to 1.4% for dermatologists and gynaecologists and 4.4% to 5.1% for proctologists. Almost half of the patients (43%) were seeking care because of an EGW recurrence. EGW are treated using pharmacological treatments and in-office procedures (electrocoagulation, cryotherapy, surgery, laser). Imiquimod treatment is used as first-line therapy is 40% of patients with a first episode of EGW and in 38% of patients presenting for an EGW recurrence. CONCLUSION: Gynaecologists are the most consulted specialists for EGW and proctologists have the highest annual frequency of consultation. Various treatments are used to manage EGW patients.