Many conditions may cause pressure in your rectum, including constipation, diarrhea, anal fissure, and hemorrhoids.
Serious causes of rectal pressure are less common and include diverticulitis, rectal prolapse, and anal cancer.
Pressure in the rectum can feel like a need to move your bowels.
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Rectal pressure can range in intensity from a dull aching sensation to pain and cramping.
It is between the last segment of the colon (the sigmoid colon) and the anal sphincter.
Other symptoms of anal fissures include rectal bleeding and pain that lasts for hours after a bowel movement.
If the anal fissure is a chronic (long-term) problem, surgery may be needed.
Constipation
Constipationis defined as bowel movements that occur fewer than three times per week.
Other treatments may include over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medicines, biofeedback, or surgery.
What Foods Cause Rectal Pain?
High-fat and rich foods can aggravate constipation or pressure to build up in the rectum.
For diarrhea, slowing bowel movements down may help with the pressure.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoidsare swollen and inflamed veins around the rectum or anus that can be internal or external.
This condition can result in anal discomfort or pressure, pain, itchiness, and bleeding.
There areover-the-counter hemorrhoid creamsavailable.
Symptoms may include:
Additional symptoms can occur depending on the location of the fistula.
Some fistulas will heal on their own without surgery to close them.
Other treatments may include fluids, electrolytes, antibiotics, and nutrition support.
Diverticulitis
Diverticulitisis inflammation or infection of thediverticula(outpouchings) in the lining of the colon.
Bloating and gas may put pressure on the rectum.
The pressure associated with IBD may be from diarrhea or constipation brought on by the disease.
It could also be from a complication such as a fistula or perianal disease.
Controlling the inflammation because of IBD is a big part of the treatment.
Treatments for IBD can include:
Fecal Incontinence
Fecal incontinencerefers to an inability to control bowel movements.
This results in fecal matter leaking out and a person soiling themself.
The prolapsed tissue can become strangulated, start to lose circulation, become necrotic, and die.
Seek emergency medical care if rectal prolapse is accompanied by pain, fever, or a lot of bleeding.
If the prolapse isn’t causing symptoms, make an appointment with your healthcare provider.
Treatment usually involves surgery.
Reducing or avoiding constipation is recommended to lower the chance of recurrence.
Prostatitis
Prostatitisis inflammation of the prostatea walnut-shaped gland responsible for producing the fluid portion of semen.
Other treatments may include sitz baths, heat therapy, physical therapy, biofeedback, and acupuncture.
Anal Cancer
Cancer of the anusis considered rare when compared to other forms of cancer.
Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are all treatments used for cancer.
Its important to remember, however, that cancer is not a common cause of rectal pressure.
There are some key things to remember when bringing up anal or rectal pressure with your healthcare provider.
Seeing a healthcare provider for this symptom will help in understanding the cause and how to treat it.
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition and facts for diarrhea.
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National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Probiotics: what you should probably know.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of hemorrhoids.
National Health Service.Tailbone (coccyx) pain.
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Colonic and anorectal fistulas.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diverticular disease.
2021;34:547-553. doi:10.1080/08941939.2019.1658830.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & Causes of Fecal Incontinence.
2022;6(1):58-66.
Published 2022 Jan 28. doi:10.23922/jarc.2021-040
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Rectal prolapse.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostatitis: inflammation of the prostate.
National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: Anal cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Colorectal cancer treatment.
