Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Treatment
Prevention
Most of the time, the causes ofanal pain, pain that occurs in the anus or lower rectum, are benign (not harmful), even if there isbleeding.Still, if your anal pain doesn’t ease within a few days, it is important to get an accurate diagnosis.
Anal pain treatment depends on the cause, but pain relievers, stool softeners, sitz baths, and switching to a high-fiber diet can often effectively manage pain.
Learn the most common causes of anal pain, when to see your healthcare provider, and tips for home treatment.
Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee
Causes of Anal Pain
There are a lot of nerve endings in the area of the rectum and anus, so any issues with them can result in anything frommild discomfort to excruciating pain.
While only a healthcare provider can confirm the reason behind your anal pain, some symptoms can hint that a specific condition is to blame.
Anal Fissure
The pain associated with ananal fissureis typically located at the opening of the anus and is acute and sharp. The pain is experienced during a bowel movement but may persist over time.
You may also experience anal itching and see bright red blood on the outside of the stool or your toilet paper.
Anal Fissure Self-Care and Prevention
Hemorrhoids
A hemorrhoid is a swollen, inflamed vein in the rectum or on the anus.
Although some hemorrhoids can cause no symptoms, others can be pretty painful. You may experience itchiness and see bright red blood in the stool or on your toilet paper.
Athrombosed hemorrhoidis an especially painful but not necessarily serious type of hemorrhoid that involves a blood clot in the vein.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is also associated with hemorrhoids.
An Overview of Hemorrhoids
Rectal Tenesmus
Tenesmus typically manifests itself alongside other medical conditions.
What to Know About Tenesmus
Muscle Spasms
Anal pain can also result from muscle spasms in the pelvic area. This manifests itself as a sharp pain that goes away quickly.
Other Causes
Pain on the outside of the anus could result from a yeast infection, itchiness associated with hemorrhoids, or rough skin cleaning on the outside of the anus.
Associated Health Conditions
Other health conditions may also be the reason behind anal pain. They include, but are not limited to:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If your pain symptoms do not ease within a few days, make an appointment with a healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis. Seek immediate medical care if you experience the following:
What Is Anal Cancer?
Anal Pain Treatment
If you experience discomfort, try these tips for easing anal pain:
It is possible to prevent many of the causes of anal pain, including hemorrhoids and anal fissures.
Summary
Anal pain can have several possible causes. Most, like hemorrhoids and anal fissures, are not severe. Still, it is essential to see a healthcare provider if you continue to experience anal pain.
5 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 Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.Anal pain.Beaty JS, Shashidharan M.Anal fissure.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(01):030-7. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1570390National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Hemorrhoids.Crohns and Colitis Canada.Anal fissures and hemorrhoids.Mueller K, Karimuddin AA, Metcalf C, Woo A, Lefresne S.Management of malignant rectal pain and tenesmus: A systematic review.J Palliat Med. 2019. doi:10.1089/jpm.2019.0139Additional ReadingAmerican Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.Anal Pain.National Library of Medicine.Anal Disorders.
5 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 Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.Anal pain.Beaty JS, Shashidharan M.Anal fissure.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(01):030-7. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1570390National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Hemorrhoids.Crohns and Colitis Canada.Anal fissures and hemorrhoids.Mueller K, Karimuddin AA, Metcalf C, Woo A, Lefresne S.Management of malignant rectal pain and tenesmus: A systematic review.J Palliat Med. 2019. doi:10.1089/jpm.2019.0139Additional ReadingAmerican Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.Anal Pain.National Library of Medicine.Anal Disorders.
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 Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.Anal pain.Beaty JS, Shashidharan M.Anal fissure.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(01):030-7. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1570390National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Hemorrhoids.Crohns and Colitis Canada.Anal fissures and hemorrhoids.Mueller K, Karimuddin AA, Metcalf C, Woo A, Lefresne S.Management of malignant rectal pain and tenesmus: A systematic review.J Palliat Med. 2019. doi:10.1089/jpm.2019.0139
American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.Anal pain.
Beaty JS, Shashidharan M.Anal fissure.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(01):030-7. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1570390
National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Hemorrhoids.
Crohns and Colitis Canada.Anal fissures and hemorrhoids.
Mueller K, Karimuddin AA, Metcalf C, Woo A, Lefresne S.Management of malignant rectal pain and tenesmus: A systematic review.J Palliat Med. 2019. doi:10.1089/jpm.2019.0139
American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.Anal Pain.National Library of Medicine.Anal Disorders.
American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.Anal Pain.
National Library of Medicine.Anal Disorders.
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