7 Causes You May Not Have Considered
Pain duringbowel movementscan 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.
FG Trade / Getty Images
An occasional twinge while defecating might not be a big deal.
But ongoing or severe pain is a sign something is wrong.
You shouldnt ignore it.
This article looks at some common causes of pain during bowel movements.
That can be triggered by hemorrhoids or anal fissures.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and rectum.
Theyre usually triggered by constipation.
Theyre often brought on by passinghard stool.
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 ofinflammatory bowel disease(IBD).
Thats a group of inflammatory disorders comprisingCrohns disease, andulcerative colitis.
The pain comes from inflammation in the intestinal tract.
Its not known exactly what is behind the pain.
Colon Cancer
Colon canceroccurs in the large intestine and can affect bowel habits.
Sometimes it causes pain during bowel movements.
Stools may also be bloody or tarry.
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.
Endometriosis happens when tissue similar to the lining of theuterus(womb) grows outside of the uterus.
Endometriosis mostly affects theovaries,fallopian tubes, tissues supporting the uterus, and outer surfaces of the uterus.
But it can also extend to thevagina,cervix, bladder, bowel, and rectum.
The involvement of the bowel and rectum can cause painful bowel movements.
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.
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 its not supposed to be.
A Word From Verywell
Dont write off painful bowel movements as normal.
Thats 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 youre not able to find relief, ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist.
Theyre specially trained to identify and treat the bowel and intestinal tract.
Frequently Asked Questions
Several things can cause anal or rectal pain during a bowel movement.
Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) can cause rectal pain in males.
It strikes most often during bowel movements.
Other symptoms include:
Yes, colorectal cancer can cause bowel pain.
Other symptoms are:
American Gastroenterological Association.Hemorrhoids.
Salati SA.Anal Fissurean extensive update.Pol Przegl Chir.
2021;93(4):46-56. doi:10.5604/01.3001.0014.7879
Crohns & Colitis Foundation.Inflammatory bowel disease vs. irritable bowel syndrome.
American Gastroenterological Association.Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Schmulson MJ, Drossman DA.What is new in Rome IV.J Neurogastroenterol Motil.
2017;23(2):151-163. doi:10.5056/jnm16214
Office on Women’s Health.Endometriosis.
Endometriosis Foundation of America.Endometriosis symptoms.
American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.Anal pain.
American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons.Diverticular disease expanded information.
