What is anal pain?

Anal pain is the term used to describe discomfort and injury of the rectal and anus area. Over the course of one’s life they will deal with some kind of painful bowel movement, general discomfort while sitting, or severe seemingly unexplainable shooting pain near or within their rear end. Often times it’s minor and will clear up on its own in a short period of time. However, some forms of pain are a precursor to a more serious underlying problem. In this article we discuss different anal and rectal pain symptoms, the possible cause of this pain, and the possibility for a more serious underlying condition. Whenever you feel any sort of anal or rectal pain it is always wise to discuss these issues with a doctor. DO NOT DIAGNOSE YOURSELF BASED ON THE CORRELATIONS OF SYPTOM AND CAUSE DESCRIBED BELOW.

What causes anal pain?

There is a myriad of reasons one could be experiencing painful bowel movements. The type of pain, timing of the pain, and the surrounding symptoms will provide the best guess for the cause without a full examination. Below are some of the most common causes:

Anal Abscess – a cavity near the anus is infected and fills with pus. The most common type of abscess is a perianal abscess which often appears as a boil near the anus. It is often red and warm to the touch. Anal abscesses located in deeper tissue are less visible and less common

Anal Ulcer an open sore in the rectum or near the anus.

Anal Fissure

a tear or crack in the skin of the anal canal or the lower rectum.

Anal Warts

growths that form inside or around the anus caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

Anal Fistula

a small tunnel that makes an abnormal connection between the site of the abscess and the skin. A fistula can be present with or without an abscess and may connect just to the skin of the buttocks near the anal opening.

Fungal Infection prolonged, less severe pain, often associated with itchiness. Could be a yeast infection, poor hygiene, or from environmental causes.

Hemorrhoids a swollen vein or forming in the anal canal or near the anus opening.

Rectal spasm

pelvic muscles that aid in defecation become involuntarily tightened.

Rectal STD such as gonorrhea, Chlamydia or herpes

Dry or Irritated Skin such as psoriasis or dermatitis, which may cause itching or burning

Tumor – the development of abnormal cells that divide and grow uncontrollably. If cancerous they have the ability to spread killing other tissue throughout the body.

When do you feel the anal pain?

During a bowel movement…

This is likely due to a hemorrhoid or anal fissure.

Wiping after a bowel movement…

This is often a skin problem like pruritus ani, anal warts, or a fungal infection.

At all times…

This can be due to an anal abscess, anal fistula, anal ulcer, infection, or rectal STD.

At all times, and steadily increasing in severity…

This could be a thrombosed hemorrhoid, infection, tumor or in some cases anal ulcer.

All the time and is extremely painful or has an acute onset (happens right away)…

This can indicate an anal ulcer, abscess/fistula, a muscle spasm or a tumor.

Where is the anal pain?

If the pain is specifically at the opening of the anus and the pain occurs right as a bowel movement is about to exit the pain is very likely caused by an anal fissure. (Similar pain slightly further away from the opening can still be a fissure but is more likely a hemorrhoid)

Isolated pain near or on a raised, “bump”, area that is accompanied by redness and possible warmth to the touch is likely a superficial anal abscess. If you have fatigue, fever or chills, pain upon sitting or other general pain in the area this may be a deeper anal abscess. Similar signs and symptoms may be present when patients have a fistula, with the addition of possible irritation of the perianal skin or drainage from an external opening.

A firm bump that emerges abruptly at the anal opening and is blue in color is generally a hemorrhoid that is thrombosed, meaning a clot has formed in the blood vessels.

A painful bump that emerges over months can be a tumor

Itchiness around the anal area is likely dry skin sometimes from over cleaning other times it could mean psoriasis.

Itchiness within the anal cavity could be a fungal infection.

When should I go to a doctor for anal pain?

Anal pain that is immensely severe or is associated with a significant amount of blood should be addressed by a doctor right away. Otherwise, anal pain that lasts more than 48 hours warrants an examination by a doctor.

Is there anal bleeding?

The most common cause of anal or rectal bleeding with pain without the presence of a bowel movement is an anal skin infection, such as yeast infection or poor anal care.

Over-wiping and anal scratching due to itching and burning (associated with skin or fungal infections) is often a source of bleeding and pain. Simply use a warm, moist cloth, and gently wipe the area and then another cloth to pat dry. Also over the counter medications may be prescribed by a doctor.

Anal bleeding is almost always present when dealing with an anal fissure but also sometimes with a hemorrhoid.

As stated above there could be more serious reasons behind significant amounts of blood in one’s stool or in one’s anal cavity so contact your doctor right away if you are experiencing this.

What can be done to relieve anal pain?

Many of the ailments described above MUST be treated by a doctor. For the minor problems that quickly resolve themselves, they can be mitigated and prevented in the future by doing the following:

Maintaining a high fiber diet (25-30 grams of fiber daily), drinking 8-10 glasses of water daily, and regularly participating in moderate exercise.

Avoid trauma to the area (including anal sex).

Do not scrub, scratch, or use soap directly on the anus. When itchy or during prolonged wiping, use a warm, moist toilette paper or cloth and gently wipe, to elevate itching and clean the area. Then use another toilette paper to pat dry.

Use only medications prescribed by your physician.

Contact your doctor right away upon noticing severe or worsening symptoms to avoid escalation of a condition.

**This is not a comprehensive list of all ailments and symptoms associated with anal pain, if you have a symptom or condition not mentioned above contact your doctor and discuss the ailments with them.**