A Rearview Look at Rectal Pain

Rectal pain isn’t something that generally comes up in conversation with many people, but it’s actually not uncommon to experience pain in the rectum without there being any clinical abnormality. Two forms of rectal pain include proctalgia fugax, which is severe, intermittent anal pain; and levator ani syndrome, which is chronic anal pain. While they are both benign, they can cause great suffering.

Contraction Action

One of the common proctalgia fugax causes is a spasm of the sphincter, while levator ani syndrome is often thought to be caused by spasms of the muscles in the pelvic floor. Unfortunately, no truly exact cause of either form of rectal pain has been determined, which makes effective treatment more difficult.

Even so, certain treatments have been proven beneficial in managing the condition. The way that each type of rectal pain is treated will naturally depend on their causes. Once the condition has been diagnosed, treatment options can be explored. Specifically, proctalgia fugax symptoms are usually occurrences of pain and cramping in the lower area of the rectum or in the anus and can last from a few seconds to more than an hour. Pain associated with levator ani syndrome lasts much longer than the pain associated with proctalgia fugax.

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Relieve the Tension

Both levator ani syndrome and proctalgia fugax treatment options often include:

  • Use of Sitz baths
  • Botox injections
  • Biofeedback to retrain the triggered system of responses and minimize the pain
  • Use of nerve agents
  • Electrical stimulation through the use of an anal probe
  • Massaging the area
  • Medications

To rule out more severe medical conditions, an examination will need to be conducted by a medical specialist such as a urogynecologist. Some conditions such as cancers, bowel disorders, and anal fissures may have similar symptoms, so discuss your medical history and your symptoms with your physician to ensure that your case is given proper care.

Don’t let pain get you down! Call the knowledgeable, caring staff at Coyle Institute to schedule your consultation today!

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