Pain During Bowel Movements
7 Causes You May Not Have Considered
Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPHFact checked by Nick Blackmer
Pain during bowel movements can 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.
Related: Is There Something Wrong With My Bowels?
Anal or Rectal Pain
Sometimes, pain during bowel movements has to do with pushing the stool out of your body. That can be caused by hemorrhoids or anal fissures.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and rectum. They’re usually caused by constipation.
In addition to pain during bowel movements, symptoms of hemorrhoids include:
Rectal itching
Small amounts of bright red blood on the toilet paper
Related: An Overview of Hemorrhoids
Anal Fissures
An anal fissure is a tear in the lining of the anus. They’re often caused by passing hard stool. On top of pain during bowel movements, symptoms include:
Itching
Bright red blood on the stool
Related: Anal Fissure Self-Care and Prevention
Takeaway
Generally, bright red blood means the bleeding comes from near the rectum and anus. Bleeding farther up causes dark blood or tarry stools.
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.
Intestinal Causes
Three common health conditions involve pain from intestinal spasms and cramping associated with bowel movements.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Abdominal pain is a symptom of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). That’s a group of inflammatory disorders comprising Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
The pain comes from inflammation in the intestinal tract. Other IBD symptoms include:
Blood and/or mucus in the stool
Diarrhea
Fever
Reduced appetite
Weight loss
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:
Constipation
Diarrhea
Gas and bloating
Mucus in the stool
Feelings of incomplete evacuation (like you still need to go)
According to the Rome IV criteria for diagnosis, IBS pain may get better or worse before, during, or after you defecate. This is a change from the previous Rome III criteria which says pain should be relieved by a bowel movement.
Colon Cancer
Colon cancer occurs in the large intestine and can affect bowel habits. Sometimes it causes pain during bowel movements. Symptoms include:
Cramping
Bloating
Rectal bleeding
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.
Recap
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
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:
Constipation
Bloating
Hemorrhoids
Flatulence (farting)
Endometriosis
Another possible cause of bowel movement pain is endometriosis. Endometriosis happens when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (womb) grows outside of the uterus.
Endometriosis mostly affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes, tissues supporting the uterus, and outer surfaces of the uterus. But it can also extend to the vagina, cervix, bladder, bowel, and rectum. The involvement of the bowel and rectum can cause painful bowel movements.
Other symptoms of endometriosis include:
Menstrual cramps
Heavy flow
Pelvic pain
Painful intercourse
Painful urination
Infertility
Nausea, bloating, and vomiting
Constipation and/or diarrhea
Takeaway
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.
Related: An Overview of Endometriosis
Summary
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 Questions
What causes anal pain when pooping?
Several things can cause anal or rectal pain during a bowel movement. Some common ones include:
Anal abscess
Anal fissure
Hemorrhoids
What causes chronic bowel pain?
Chronic bowel pain may be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or chronic diverticulitis. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is more associated with abdominal cramps, but acute bowel pain can be a symptom.
What are causes of bowel pain in women?
Possible causes of bowel pain specific to females include rectovaginal endometriosis (the growth of uterine tissue into the vagina and rectum) and rectovaginal fistula (the development of an abnormal passage between the vagina and rectum).
What are causes of bowel pain in men?
Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) can cause rectal pain in males. It strikes most often during bowel movements. Other symptoms include:
Difficulty urinating
Lower back pain that worsens during bowel movements
Feeling like the bladder is never empty
Is bowel pain a sign of cancer?
Yes, colorectal cancer can cause bowel pain. Other symptoms are:
Changes in bowel habits (including alternating constipation and diarrhea)
Bloating
Narrow stools
Abdominal cramping
Rectal bleeding
Bloody stools
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
