Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnal or Rectal PainIntestinal CausesPregnancyEndometriosisSummaryFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anal or Rectal Pain
Intestinal Causes
Pregnancy
Endometriosis
Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Pain duringbowel movementscan cause anxiety. First, you may worry about the next trip to the bathroom. Second, you may worry that something is really wrong with your health.
An occasional twinge while defecating might not be a big deal. But ongoing or severe pain is a sign something is wrong. You shouldn’t ignore it.
This article looks at some common causes of pain during bowel movements.
FG Trade / Getty Images
Is There Something Wrong With My Bowels?
Hemorrhoids
In addition to pain during bowel movements, symptoms of hemorrhoids include:
An Overview of Hemorrhoids
Anal Fissures
Anal Fissure Self-Care and Prevention
Generally, bright red blood means the bleeding comes from near the rectum and anus. Bleeding farther up causes dark blood or tarry stools.
RecapOngoing pain with bowel movements is a signal that something is wrong. It may be anal or rectal pain. Those can come from hemorrhoids or anal fissures. Symptoms of both including itching and bright red blood.
Recap
Ongoing pain with bowel movements is a signal that something is wrong. It may be anal or rectal pain. Those can come from hemorrhoids or anal fissures. Symptoms of both including itching and bright red blood.
Three common health conditions involve pain from intestinal spasms and cramping associated with bowel movements.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Abdominal pain is a symptom ofinflammatory bowel disease(IBD). That’s a group of inflammatory disorders comprisingCrohn’s disease, andulcerative colitis.
The pain comes from inflammation in the intestinal tract. Other IBD symptoms include:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Pain with bowel movements is a hallmark symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It’s not known exactly what is behind the pain. Other symptoms include:
Colon Cancer
Colon canceroccurs in the large intestine and can affect bowel habits. Sometimes it causes pain during bowel movements. Symptoms include:
Unlike hemorrhoids and anal fissures, rectal blood from colon cancer is usually be dark rather than bright red. Stools may also be bloody or tarry.
RecapIntestinal causes of painful bowel movements include Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, colon cancer, and possibly irritable bowel syndrome. Watch for bloody stools and other digestive symptoms.
Intestinal causes of painful bowel movements include Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, colon cancer, and possibly irritable bowel syndrome. Watch for bloody stools and other digestive symptoms.
Pregnancy can cause pain during bowel movements. This may be due in part to hormonal changes that affect intestinal function and sensitivity.
Also, the weight of the developing fetus may put pressure on the organs of the digestive tract. These changes increase your risk of painful bowel movements plus:
Why Period Poops Happen and How to Deal With It
Another possible cause of bowel movement pain isendometriosis. Endometriosis happens when tissue similar to the lining of theuterus(womb) grows outside of the uterus.
Endometriosis mostly affects theovaries,fallopian tubes, tissues supporting the uterus, and outer surfaces of the uterus. But it can also extend to thevagina,cervix, bladder, bowel, and rectum. The involvement of the bowel and rectum can cause painful bowel movements.
Other symptoms of endometriosis include:
Endometriosis occurs more frequently in women who have never given birth, had periods early, are going through menopause late, or have short or especially heavy periods.
An Overview of Endometriosis
Frequent pain with bowel movements is a sign of a health problem. It may come from hemorrhoids or anal fissures. Watch for itching and bright red blood.
Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, colon cancer, and possibly irritable bowel syndrome can cause bowel movement pain as well. Bloody stools and other digestive symptoms can point to these causes.
The hormone changes of pregnancy affect intestinal sensitivity. That makes painful bowel movements common. Endometriosis also causes painful bowel movements due to uterine tissue growing where it’s not supposed to be.
A Word From Verywell
Don’t write off painful bowel movements as normal. That’s especially important if the pain is severe, persistent, or getting worse.
Let your healthcare provider know about your symptoms. Then they can diagnose the problem and start treatment.
If you’re not able to find relief, ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist. They’re specially trained to identify and treat the bowel and intestinal tract.
Frequently Asked QuestionsSeveral things can cause anal or rectal pain during a bowel movement. Some common ones include:Anal abscessAnal fissureAnal fistulaHemorrhoidsSexually transmitted infectionsLearn MoreCommon Causes of Rectal PainChronic bowel pain may be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)orchronic diverticulitis.Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is more associated with abdominal cramps, but acute bowel pain can be a symptom.Possible causes of bowel pain specific to females include rectovaginal endometriosis (the growth of uterine tissue into the vagina and rectum)andrectovaginal fistula(the development of an abnormal passage between the vagina and rectum).Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) can cause rectal pain in males. It strikes most often during bowel movements. Other symptoms include:Pain with urinationDifficulty urinatingLower back pain that worsens during bowel movementsFeeling like the bladder is never emptyYes, colorectal cancer can cause bowel pain. Other symptoms are:Changes in bowel habits (including alternating constipation and diarrhea)BloatingNarrow stoolsAbdominal crampingRectal bleedingBloody stools
Several things can cause anal or rectal pain during a bowel movement. Some common ones include:Anal abscessAnal fissureAnal fistulaHemorrhoidsSexually transmitted infectionsLearn MoreCommon Causes of Rectal Pain
Several things can cause anal or rectal pain during a bowel movement. Some common ones include:Anal abscessAnal fissureAnal fistulaHemorrhoidsSexually transmitted infections
Several things can cause anal or rectal pain during a bowel movement. Some common ones include:
Learn MoreCommon Causes of Rectal Pain
Chronic bowel pain may be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)orchronic diverticulitis.Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is more associated with abdominal cramps, but acute bowel pain can be a symptom.
Possible causes of bowel pain specific to females include rectovaginal endometriosis (the growth of uterine tissue into the vagina and rectum)andrectovaginal fistula(the development of an abnormal passage between the vagina and rectum).
Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) can cause rectal pain in males. It strikes most often during bowel movements. Other symptoms include:Pain with urinationDifficulty urinatingLower back pain that worsens during bowel movementsFeeling like the bladder is never empty
Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) can cause rectal pain in males. It strikes most often during bowel movements. Other symptoms include:
Yes, colorectal cancer can cause bowel pain. Other symptoms are:Changes in bowel habits (including alternating constipation and diarrhea)BloatingNarrow stoolsAbdominal crampingRectal bleedingBloody stools
Yes, colorectal cancer can cause bowel pain. Other symptoms are:
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Gastroenterological Association.Hemorrhoids.Salati SA.Anal Fissure—an extensive update.Pol Przegl Chir. 2021;93(4):46-56. doi:10.5604/01.3001.0014.7879Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Inflammatory bowel disease vs. irritable bowel syndrome.American Gastroenterological Association.Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).Schmulson MJ, Drossman DA.What is new in Rome IV.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2017;23(2):151-163. doi:10.5056/jnm16214Office on Women’s Health.Endometriosis.Endometriosis Foundation of America.Endometriosis symptoms.American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.Anal pain.American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.Diverticular disease expanded information.Zielinska A, Salaga M, Wlodarczyk M, Fichna J.Focus on current and future management possibilities in inflammatory bowel disease-related chronic pain.Int J Colorectal Dis.2019;34(2):217-27. doi:10.1007/s00384-018-3218-0Moawad NS, Caplin A.Diagnosis, management, and long-term outcomes of rectovaginal endometriosis.Int J Womens Health.2013 Sep 11;2013:753-63. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S37846Das B, Snyder M.Rectovaginal fistulae.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(1):50–6. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1570393Pirola GM, Verdacchi T, Rosadi S, Annino F, De Angelis M.Chronic prostatitis: current treatment options.Res Rep Urol.2019;11:165-74. doi:10.2147/RRU.S194679Kuipers EJ, Grady WM, Lieberman D, et al.Colorectal cancer.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2015;1:15065. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2015.65
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Gastroenterological Association.Hemorrhoids.Salati SA.Anal Fissure—an extensive update.Pol Przegl Chir. 2021;93(4):46-56. doi:10.5604/01.3001.0014.7879Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Inflammatory bowel disease vs. irritable bowel syndrome.American Gastroenterological Association.Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).Schmulson MJ, Drossman DA.What is new in Rome IV.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2017;23(2):151-163. doi:10.5056/jnm16214Office on Women’s Health.Endometriosis.Endometriosis Foundation of America.Endometriosis symptoms.American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.Anal pain.American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.Diverticular disease expanded information.Zielinska A, Salaga M, Wlodarczyk M, Fichna J.Focus on current and future management possibilities in inflammatory bowel disease-related chronic pain.Int J Colorectal Dis.2019;34(2):217-27. doi:10.1007/s00384-018-3218-0Moawad NS, Caplin A.Diagnosis, management, and long-term outcomes of rectovaginal endometriosis.Int J Womens Health.2013 Sep 11;2013:753-63. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S37846Das B, Snyder M.Rectovaginal fistulae.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(1):50–6. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1570393Pirola GM, Verdacchi T, Rosadi S, Annino F, De Angelis M.Chronic prostatitis: current treatment options.Res Rep Urol.2019;11:165-74. doi:10.2147/RRU.S194679Kuipers EJ, Grady WM, Lieberman D, et al.Colorectal cancer.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2015;1:15065. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2015.65
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Gastroenterological Association.Hemorrhoids.Salati SA.Anal Fissure—an extensive update.Pol Przegl Chir. 2021;93(4):46-56. doi:10.5604/01.3001.0014.7879Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Inflammatory bowel disease vs. irritable bowel syndrome.American Gastroenterological Association.Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).Schmulson MJ, Drossman DA.What is new in Rome IV.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2017;23(2):151-163. doi:10.5056/jnm16214Office on Women’s Health.Endometriosis.Endometriosis Foundation of America.Endometriosis symptoms.American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.Anal pain.American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.Diverticular disease expanded information.Zielinska A, Salaga M, Wlodarczyk M, Fichna J.Focus on current and future management possibilities in inflammatory bowel disease-related chronic pain.Int J Colorectal Dis.2019;34(2):217-27. doi:10.1007/s00384-018-3218-0Moawad NS, Caplin A.Diagnosis, management, and long-term outcomes of rectovaginal endometriosis.Int J Womens Health.2013 Sep 11;2013:753-63. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S37846Das B, Snyder M.Rectovaginal fistulae.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(1):50–6. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1570393Pirola GM, Verdacchi T, Rosadi S, Annino F, De Angelis M.Chronic prostatitis: current treatment options.Res Rep Urol.2019;11:165-74. doi:10.2147/RRU.S194679Kuipers EJ, Grady WM, Lieberman D, et al.Colorectal cancer.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2015;1:15065. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2015.65
American Gastroenterological Association.Hemorrhoids.
Salati SA.Anal Fissure—an extensive update.Pol Przegl Chir. 2021;93(4):46-56. doi:10.5604/01.3001.0014.7879
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Inflammatory bowel disease vs. irritable bowel syndrome.
American Gastroenterological Association.Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Schmulson MJ, Drossman DA.What is new in Rome IV.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2017;23(2):151-163. doi:10.5056/jnm16214
Office on Women’s Health.Endometriosis.
Endometriosis Foundation of America.Endometriosis symptoms.
American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.Anal pain.
American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.Diverticular disease expanded information.
Zielinska A, Salaga M, Wlodarczyk M, Fichna J.Focus on current and future management possibilities in inflammatory bowel disease-related chronic pain.Int J Colorectal Dis.2019;34(2):217-27. doi:10.1007/s00384-018-3218-0
Moawad NS, Caplin A.Diagnosis, management, and long-term outcomes of rectovaginal endometriosis.Int J Womens Health.2013 Sep 11;2013:753-63. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S37846
Das B, Snyder M.Rectovaginal fistulae.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(1):50–6. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1570393
Pirola GM, Verdacchi T, Rosadi S, Annino F, De Angelis M.Chronic prostatitis: current treatment options.Res Rep Urol.2019;11:165-74. doi:10.2147/RRU.S194679
Kuipers EJ, Grady WM, Lieberman D, et al.Colorectal cancer.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2015;1:15065. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2015.65
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