Rectal pain

[patrickb]

Both my wife and I seem to suffer from the same set of symptoms, which we call "the hurting sh*t". It happens at random times. Almost always it happens at night, perhaps once every three weeks or more. It takes the form of a severe pain that seems to be located just inside the rectal opening, like a steady burning sensation that is impossible to ignore. It is not associated with a desire to defecate, but sitting on the toilet and pushing will often produce a very small amount of stool (my wide describes it as a small hard lump) at which point the pain goes away. In my case once in a while it will take several attempts, but if I am successful in passing stool the pain always goes away. If I am not successful it will sometimes go away by itself, but only after 45 minutes or so of severe discomfort. I am 58, my wife is 64, and we are both in generally good health, take no meds (except asthma inhaler for her) and eat a generally healthy diet. Since we never get it at the same time I assume it is not connected with any particular food.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

One possibility would be an anal fissure.  This can be examined for by your personal physician or surgeon.  There are a variety of treatments for this - including medications and creams to relax the anal sphincter.  Examples include topical nitroglycerin, oral calcium-channel blockers, or injection of botulinum toxin.  

If these treatments don't work, surgery can be considered.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[shubunkin]

Hey! I see you answer alot of post on here. You seem to have given alot of great advice to people. I was just wondering what you background was. I know you recommend alot of natural approaches which is great. My mom dies at the age of 46 of colon cancer. So I have been doing alot of research on the subject. I am 30 and I am going to get my first colonoscopy next month. Danielle

[budjie]

http://www.fpnotebook.com/GI233.htm   It's called proctalgia fugax.
A cold suppository usually gets rid of it immediately. (hemorrhoid suppository)

[yoshi]

prempro vaginal cream helps if you apply to the area,if the problem is lack of hormone.
there may be some OTC cream which is effective and cheaper

[yoshi]

thanks for the compliment.i am no doctor,and i just speak from personal experience and what i learn and heard .
sorry to hear about your mother,why are you going for colonscopy??
i am not suggesting man should apply prempro vaginal cream to their anus .

[surgeon]

the most likely cause is anal fissure, which is a tear in the skin surface over the control muscle of the anus. The most common cause of a fissure is passing hard, constipated stools. If you get your stools to soften up, by taking in more fiber and liquid, and for a while adding mineral oil -- a tablespoon or so a day -- it might clear up on its own. But often it requires some form of treatment. The cremes mentioned above might help the symptoms but aren't likely to cure it: it takes special cremes which relax the muscle a bit, of which there are several. You ought to see your doctor(s) to get a firm diagnosis, and proceed from there. If all else fails, there's a minor surgical procedure which is highly successful in solving the problem.

[yoshi]

i know for women,lack of hormone could cause pain.
dont know about man.

[Qgirl]

I have had this and so has my husband and it also is not at the same time.  I will go a long time without it happening and then it happens again.  My husband gets it more than me.  Wish I had more info but it seems it might not be anything truly unusual and therefore not something to worry about.  We are both in our late 40's.