Why Does It Hurt When I Poop? 10 Causes - Healthline

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HealthlineSubscribe10 Reasons It Hurts When You Poop

Written by Tim Jewell — Updated on March 17, 2023

Overview
Anal fissure
Hemorrhoids
Constipation
Proctitis
IBD
Diarrhea
Endometriosis
Chlamydia or syphilis
HPV
Anal or rectal cancer
When to see a doctor
The takeaway

You may have pain during a bowel movement due to constipation or another health issue. If you notice blood in your stool and have other symptoms, it could be an indicator of something more serious.

Pain facts

Feeling some pain when you poop isn’t uncommon. Your diet, daily activities, and emotional state can all affect what it feels like to go number two, and the pain may only be temporary.

But some conditions that make pooping an uncomfortable chore are more serious and may require a visit to the doctor. Read on to learn what conditions may need medical treatment and what you can do to help relieve and prevent symptoms.

1. Anal fissure

Anal fissures are tiny cuts that happen when anus skin cracks and often bleeds.

Symptoms include:

an area near your anus that looks torn
skin outgrowth near the tear
stinging or intense pain near your anus when you poop
blood in your poop or on toilet paper when you wipe
anal itchiness
burning sensation around your anus

They’re not too serious and usually go away without medical treatment in a little over a month.

Some treatments for anal fissures include:

taking stool softeners
hydrating with water and water-rich foods
eating about 20 to 35 grams of fiber per day
taking a sitz bath to improve blood flow and help muscles relax
applying hydrocortisone cream or ointment to reduce inflammation
using pain relief ointments, such as lidocaine, to reduce pain

2. Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids, sometimes called piles, happen when the anus or rectum veins become swollen.

You may not notice an internal hemorrhoid in your anus, but external hemorrhoids can cause pain and make it hard to sit without discomfort.

Symptoms include:

pain when you poop
intense anal itching and pain
lumps near the anus that hurt or feel itchy
anal leakage
blood on toilet paper when you poop

Try the following treatments and prevention tips for hemorrhoids:

Take a warm bath for 10 minutes each day to relieve pain.
Apply topical hemorrhoid cream for itching or burning.
Eat more fiber or take fiber supplements, such as psyllium.
Use a sitz bath.
Wash your anus every time you bathe or shower with warm water and a gentle, unscented soap.
Use soft toilet paper when you wipe. Consider using a bidet for gentler cleansing.
Apply a cold compress to help with swelling.
Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain, including ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve).

More serious hemorrhoids may need to be surgically removed.

3. Constipation

Constipation happens when you poop less than three times a week, and when you do, the poop comes out hard and with more trouble than usual. Pain is usually less sharp and may accompany pain in your lower gut from backup.

Common symptoms include:

hard, dry stool that comes out in small chunks
anus or gut pain while you poop
still feeling like you need to poop even after you go
bloating or cramping in your lower gut or back
feeling like something’s blocking your intestines

Follow these treatments and prevention tips for constipation:

Drink plenty of water — at least 64 ounces a day — to stay hydrated.
Reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake.
Eat plenty of fiber or take fiber supplements.
Eat foods with probiotics, such as Greek yogurt.
Reduce your intake of foods that can cause constipation, such as meat and dairy.
Get about 30 minutes of light exercise, such as walking or swimming, every day to keep your bowels moving.
Go to the bathroom as you feel it coming to keep stool from getting hard or stuck.
Try laxatives for severe cases but talk to your doctor before you take them.

4. Proctitis

Proctitis happens when the lining of your rectum, the tube where bowel movements comes out, becomes inflamed. It’s a common symptom of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), radiation treatments for cancer, or inflammatory bowel conditions such as ulcerative colitis.

Symptoms include:

pain when you poop
diarrhea
bleeding when you poop or wipe
mucuslike discharge from your anus
feeling like you have to poop even if you’ve just gone

Here are some treatment and prevention tips:

Use condoms or other protection when you have sex.
Avoid sexual contact with someone who has visible bumps or sores in their genital area.
Take any prescribed antibiotics or antiviral medications for infections, such as doxycycline (Vibramycin) or acyclovir (Zovirax).
Take any prescribed medications for radiation side effects, such as mesalamine (Canasa) or metronidazole (Flagyl).
Take over-the-counter stool softeners to help soften stool.
Take prescribed medications for inflammatory bowel diseases, such as mesalamine (Canasa) or prednisone (Rayos), or immunosuppressants such as infliximab (Remicade).
Get surgery to remove any damaged areas of your colon.
Get treatments like argon plasma coagulation (APC) or electrocoagulation.

5. IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to any condition that involves inflammation in your digestive tract. This includes Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome. Many of these conditions result in a lot of pain when you poop.

Common symptoms include:

diarrhea
feeling exhausted
pain or discomfort in your belly
blood in your poop
losing weight for no reason
not feeling hungry, even when you haven’t eaten for a while

Some treatments and prevention tips for IBD include:

anti-inflammatory medications, such as mesalamine (Delzicol) or olsalazine (Dipentum)
immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine or methotrexate (Trexall)
medications to control your immune system, such as adalimumab (Humira) or natalizumab (Tysabri)
antibiotics for infections, such as metronidazole (Flagyl)
diarrhea medications, such as methylcellulose (Citrucel) or loperamide (Imodium A-D)
pain medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)
iron supplements to limit anemia from intestinal bleeding
calcium or vitamin D supplements to lower your risk of osteoporosis from Crohn’s disease
removal of parts of your colon or rectum, leaving a small pouch from your small intestine to your anus or to the outside of your body for collection
a low-meat, low-dairy, moderate-fiber diet with small amounts of caffeine and alcohol

6. Diarrhea

Diarrhea happens when your bowel movements are thin and watery.

Diarrhea doesn’t always make pooping hurt. But wiping a lot and passing a lot of stool can irritate skin and make your anus feel raw and sore.

Symptoms include:

nausea
stomach pain or cramps
feeling bloated
losing too much fluid
blood in your poop
needing to poop often
fever
a large volume of stools

Treatment for diarrhea usually consists of rehydration, inserting an intravenous line if necessary, or antibiotics. Here are some prevention tips for diarrhea:

Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water before and after you eat.
Wash and cook food properly, eat it right away, and put leftovers in the fridge quickly.
Ask your doctor about antibiotics before you visit a new country.
Don’t drink tap water when you travel or eat food that’s been washed with tap water. Only use bottled water.

7. Endometriosis

Endometriosis happens when the tissues that make up the lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium, grow outside the uterus. They can attach to your colon and cause pain from irritation or scar tissue formation.

Other symptoms include:

pain during your period
lower abdominal or back pain and cramps before your period starts
heavy menstrual flow
pain during or after sex
infertility

Some treatments include:

pain medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil)
hormone therapy to regulate growth of tissues
birth control, such as medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera) injections, to mitigate tissue growth and symptoms
gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GRNH) to reduce estrogen that causes tissue growth
minimally invasive laser surgery to remove tissue
last resort surgical removal of the uterus, cervix, and ovaries to stop menstruation and tissue growth

8. Chlamydia or syphilis

STIs such as chlamydia or syphilis spread through anal sex can result in bacterial infections that cause your rectum to swell and make it painful to poop.

Both STIs are spread through unprotected sexual contact with someone who’s infected, and painful rectal swelling can also accompany symptoms like burning when you pee, discharge from your genitals, and pain during sex.

Some treatment and prevention tips for these STIs include:

antibiotics, such as azithromycin (Zithromax) or doxycycline (Oracea)
penicillin injections for severe syphilis
abstaining from sex while you’re being treated for either STI
using protection whenever you have sex, including oral or anal sex
getting tested for STIs regularly if you’re sexually active

9. HPV

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection that can cause warts to form near your anus, genitals, mouth, or throat. Anal warts can get irritated when you poop, making you feel a rawness or stinging pain.

Untreated HPV can cause anal and cervical cancer. HPV can’t be fully cured. Warts may come and go, and your doctor may use laser or cryotherapy to remove warts. Make sure you get tested for STIs and for cancer regularly if you have an HPV diagnosis.

Prevention tips for HPV include:

getting the HPV vaccine if you’re under age 45
using condoms every time you have sex
getting Pap smears and regular health and STI screenings

10. Anal or rectal cancer

It’s highly unlikely that anal cancer or rectal cancer is the culprit for painful pooping, but it’s a small possibility. Some symptoms that may indicate cancer include:

sudden, abnormal changes in poop color or shape
small, thin stool
blood in your poop or on toilet paper when you wipe
new or unusual lumps near your anus that hurt when you apply pressure to them
itchiness around your anus
unusual discharge
frequent constipation or diarrhea
feeling unusually exhausted
having a lot of gas or bloating
losing abnormal amounts of weight
constant pain or cramps in your abdomen

See your doctor right away if you notice any of these symptoms. Early treatment can help stop the spread of cancer and limit complications.

Treatment for these cancers may include:

chemotherapy injections or pills to kill cancer cells
surgery to remove anal or rectal tumors and prevent cancerous tissue from spreading, possibly removing the entire rectum, anus, and parts of your colon if cancer has spread
radiation treatment to kill cancer cells
regorafenib (Stivarga) for advanced rectal cancer to stop cancer cell growth

When to see a doctor

Seek immediate medical attention if you have:

pain or bleeding lasting for a week or more
fever or unusual fatigue
unusual bleeding or discharge when you poop
pain or other symptoms after sex, especially with a new partner
intense abdominal or back pain and cramps
newly formed lumps near your anus

The bottom line

Painful poops may just be a temporary case of diarrhea, constipation, or hemorrhoids that go away in a few days — none of these causes are usually serious.

See your doctor if bowel movements are painful for a few weeks or the pain is sharp and intense enough to disrupt your everyday life. Sudden, unusual changes in your stool should also prompt a doctor’s visit.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

FDA approves expanded use of Gardasil 9 to include individuals 27 through 45 years old [Press release]. (2018).https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm622715.htm
Hemorrhoids. (2016).https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15120-hemorrhoids
Human papillomavirus (HPV) treatment and care. (2017).https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/treatment.htm
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Anal fissure.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anal-fissure/symptoms-causes/syc-20351424
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Constipation.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/symptoms-causes/syc-20354253
Proctitis. (n.d.).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/proctitis
Rectal bleeding. (2015).https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/14612-rectal-bleeding
Regorafenib. (2018).https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/regorafenib?redirect=true
Torborg L. (2017). Mayo Clinic Q and A: Painful bowel movements may be due to anal fissure.https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-painful-bowel-movements-may-be-due-to-anal-fissure/%0A/
What is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)? (2018).https://www.cdc.gov/ibd/what-is-IBD.htm

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Written by Tim Jewell — Updated on March 17, 2023

Why Does It Hurt When I Poop? 10 Causes - Healthline

Pain facts

1. Anal fissure

2. Hemorrhoids

3. Constipation

4. Proctitis

5. IBD

6. Diarrhea

7. Endometriosis

8. Chlamydia or syphilis

9. HPV

10. Anal or rectal cancer

When to see a doctor

The bottom line

How we reviewed this article:

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