When there are pains when defecating, we may feel concern, in addition to discomfort. We might also wonder what it’s as a consequence of and if it requires a selected treatment.

It’s necessary to notice that there are several causes. Some will not be serious, resembling constipation or non-thrombosed hemorrhoids. If that is so, it’s possible to take measures at home.

But on other occasions, this symptom could also be brought on by a serious condition. Then, it’s needed to see a physician for diagnosis and timely treatment.

The causes of painful bowel movements

In case you experience occasional mild pain during bowel movements, it might be to some extent normal. When this happens continuously, there could also be a condition. Let’s see what the chances are.

Constipation

With constipation, stools are sometimes hard. Also, people need to strain more. All of this causes pain during bowel movements.

Other symptoms might also occur. For instance, bleeding, which is obvious on toilet paper.

There are several causes of constipation. These include a eating regimen low in fiber, poor hydration, a sedentary lifestyle, reactions to medications, stress, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids is the term used for swollen veins within the anus, which will be internal or external. In either case, this condition causes pain during bowel movements.

Also they are accompanied by occasional bleeding, itching, or swelling. When thrombosed hemorrhoids are present, the discomfort and discomfort are such that the person cannot sit down.

Diarrhea

A persistent bout of diarrhea, lasting several days, may cause burning, itching, and pain during bowel movements. That is the case even when the bowel movements are watery.

Food allergies

One other possible reason behind painful bowel movements is food allergies, especially if the person consumes the food to which she or he is sensitive and which causes reactions. This will occur with lactose or gluten intolerance, for instance.

Inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS)

There are several types of inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS). Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are the most effective known.

Symptoms include the next:

• Urgent have to defecate
• Bloody diarrhea
• Stools with mucus
• Abdominal pain
• Weight reduction

During episodes of diarrhea, you might feel pain when defecating.

Anal fissure

A fissure is a small wound. The pain is usually persistent, but increases with bowel movements. There’s also a risk of infection.

It could be as a consequence of an injury (during sexual penetration, for example) or when there’s excessive toileting. Also, based on experts, it might probably be brought on by a sexually transmitted disease, vaginal childbirth, cancer, or an intestinal problem, including Crohn’s disease.

Anal abscess

In anal abscess, there’s inflammation with pus accumulation in the world. As well as, it might be accompanied by fever.

It causes a variety of discomfort, especially pain during defecation. When it’s severe, it affects every day activities that involve exertion or prolonged sitting.

Endometriosis

Within the case of endometriosis, there’s a growth of the tissue that lines the uterus or other areas of the body. For instance, within the ovaries.

This will cause painful swelling during menstruation and worsen during bowel movements. In accordance with research, the bowel can also be affected in a big percentage of cases.

Symptoms are as follows:

• Diarrhea or constipation
• Abdominal distension
• Bleeding from the rectum
• Pain during defecation
• Mucus within the stool
• Cramping

Prostatitis

Symptoms which will indicate acute prostatitis include the next:

• Pain within the penis, scrotum, or perineum
• Pain within the lower back
• Pain when defecating or ejaculating
• Problems urinating

Cancer

Cancer within the rectum or anus causes tumors to develop in the world, which can hurt during bowel movements. Other accompanying symptoms include bleeding, weight reduction, incontinence, and constipation.

The right way to reduce or avoid painful bowel movements

There are several causes of painful bowel movements. In some cases, including those related to constipation, diarrhea, or hemorrhoids, measures will be taken at home. In others, nevertheless, medical attention is required. Let’s have a look at the choices.

Home treatment

If it’s a possible allergic response, we must always avoid eating the offending food. In people in whom there isn’t any diagnosed condition, we must always observe what may cause it.

Alternatively, when there’s constipation, there are several measures to take. This includes hydrating well, doing regular physical exertion, and consuming more foods wealthy in fiber:

• Turnips
• Chard
• Broccoli
• Pumpkin
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Artichokes
• Asparagus
• Carrots
• Beets

Alternatively, although they require medical treatment, individuals with hemorrhoids may also take measures at home to alleviate the issue; at all times with the authorization of the health skilled. For this purpose, sitz baths and remedies resembling horse chestnut and witch hazel water will be used.

Women affected by endometriosis could make some changes of their eating regimen, reducing the intake of fats, and replacing them with nuts, sunflower seeds, avocado, flaxseed, and fish. They may also alleviate symptoms by placing compresses on the abdomen and consuming chamomile or ginger infusions.

Similar measures will be taken when there’s ulcerative colitis. On this regard, it’s considered that aloe vera juice can promote inflammation, helping to heal the colon mucosa. Other foods that profit those that suffer from this disease are flaxseed and carrots, in addition to apples and papaya.

Finally, when there’s an anal fissure, although medical treatment shouldn’t be disregarded, it’s needed to keep up good hygiene of the world and wash it with water to forestall infections.

Medical treatment

In accordance with what the doctor diagnoses, he/she is going to indicate the rules to follow for treatment. Among the many possible options are the next:

• Antibiotics — for diarrhea brought on by an infection.
• Laxatives and stool softeners: if constipation persists, but only when authorized by the physician and for a limited time.
• Opioids: loperamide can also be widely used as an antidiarrheal.
• Corticosteroids: to alleviate inflammation in ulcerative colitis.
• Hormonal treatment: in endometriosis, the contraceptive pill is used to manage hormone levels.
• Analgesic ointments: applied within the treatment of hemorrhoids, helping to alleviate pain; most contain hydrocortisone.
• Healing ointments: to assist in the technique of anal fissures.
• Botulinum toxin injection: Botox can also be one other treatment option for severe cases of chronic anal fissure.
• Radiation therapy and chemotherapy: for colorectal cancer.
• Surgery: could also be required for aggravation of hemorrhoids or prostate problems, in addition to anal fistulas and abscesses, endometriosis, or cancer.

When to go to the doctor for pain during defecation

Pain during defecation doesn’t at all times indicate that there’s a health problem. Nonetheless, this symptom will also be related to a serious pathology.

Due to this fact, be looking out for signs resembling fever over 38°C, bleeding, weight reduction, incontinence, and chronic constipation. Also, if the pain becomes more intense.

It would interest you…