What Causes Pain After Bowel Movements?

There are various potential reasons for experiencing pain during and after bowel movements, ranging from minor issues to more serious health concerns. In this article, we will explore the health problems that cause pain after bowel movements and provide tips for alleviating the discomfort.

What Causes Pain After Bowel Movements?

Several health problems can lead to pain after bowel movements. Here are some of the most common causes:

• Constipation

Constipation is one of the most frequent health issues causing pain after bowel movements. It makes stools hard and dry, making them painful to pass, resulting in pain in the anus during and after defecation. 

Constipation can be caused by insufficient fluid intake, lack of dietary fibre, lack of exercise, significant lifestyle changes such as travel or pregnancy, or certain medications.

• Hemorrhoids

It is a very common problem affecting 3 out of 4 people, causing swelling of the veins around the anus and rectum. Pregnancy, obesity, and constipation increase the risk of developing it.

Hemorrhoids cause pain and discomfort during and after bowel movements, intense itching, and irritation in the anus. They may also lead to small amounts of bright red blood on toilet paper, swelling around the anus, or a lump near it.

• Anal Fissures

Anal fissures are tears in the skin around the anus, causing muscle spasms and pain during and after bowel movements. They are usually caused by constipation and passing hard stools, sexually transmitted infections, human papillomavirus, chronic diarrhea, anal cancer, vaginal delivery, or surgery in the area.

• Proctitis

Proctitis is an inflammation of the rectal lining, commonly resulting from sexually transmitted infections, radiation therapy for cancer, or ulcerative colitis. It causes pain during and after bowel movements, bleeding, mucus discharge, and diarrhea.

• Anal Cancer

Although rare, anal cancer can cause pain during and after bowel movements. It can lead to tumors around the anus that make defecation painful and result in symptoms such as anal bleeding, pain, irritation, itching, severe constipation, urinary incontinence, weight loss, and sudden changes in stool appearance and color.

• Other Causes

In addition to the above, other health problems can cause pain during and after bowel movements:

1. Endometriosis in women can cause pain during and after bowel movements.
2. Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or irritable bowel syndrome.
3. Skin problems like eczema, psoriasis, and warts around the anus can cause pain before, during, and after bowel movements.
4. Severe diarrhea doesn't directly cause pain, but frequent bowel movements and wiping can irritate the skin and cause pain after defecation.

How to Treat Pain After Bowel Movements?

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics for proctitis, dietary changes to increase fibre and fluid intake along with laxatives for constipation, and topical creams or ointments for hemorrhoids and anal fissures.

Your doctor might request some tests to determine the underlying cause, such as a fecal occult blood test or stool analysis, both available at Blazma without the need for fasting or other preparations.

To alleviate pain after bowel movements, consider the following tips:

• Drink plenty of fluids and eat more fibre to soften stools and reduce pain during bowel movements.
• Exercise regularly.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Wrap an ice pack in a towel and apply it to the painful area for 20 minutes, repeating every 2-3 hours.
• Take warm baths to relieve itching and pain.
• Use damp toilet paper to wipe the area and avoid dry paper.
• Avoid spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol.
• Don't ignore the urge to poop.
• Avoid pushing too hard when pooping
• Avoid use fragranced products and soaps around the anus.

By understanding and addressing the potential causes of pain after bowel movements, you can take steps to alleviate discomfort and improve your overall health.