Pain in the anus occurs in or around the anus and rectum, that is, the last part of the large intestine that ends in the anus, very often accompanied by pain and bleeding from the rectum.

“Often, the pain in the anus is accompanied by other symptoms such as itching, stinging, fluid discharge and/or bleeding and many different conditions are responsible”, emphasizes Mr. Dimitrios Mousiolis General Surgeon, Director of the 1st Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Surgery Clinic Rectal and Rectal Surgery Metropolitan General.

“Most symptoms are mild and will resolve quickly with conservative treatment. In rare cases, however, anal pain is a symptom of a more serious condition, and needs immediate investigation,” he continues, pointing out the causes and symptoms of this pain.
Hemorrhoids

“Hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins in the anus or rectum, are a very common cause of pain in that area. The symptoms that occur depend on the location of the hemorrhoids, i.e. whether they are internal or external. Internal hemorrhoids are usually located inside the anus and most people don’t know about it as they don’t cause pain. Sometimes they can manifest as painless bleeding from the rectum, especially after bowel movements.

External hemorrhoids are essentially small, skin-colored bumps that project into the anus, which can cause pain in cases of bleeding or clot formation. If a blood clot forms inside an external hemorrhoid, it can cause sudden, severe pain in the rectum or anus. Also, this condition can cause itching or irritation and swelling in the perianal area as well. People with hemorrhoids may also have discomfort during bowel movements or when sitting,” explains Mr. Mousiolis.

Anal Stretch Marks

“Anal stretch marks are a sore of the skin of the anus in the area of ​​the sphincter. These develop when hard or large stools stretch the sensitive lining of the rectum and tear the skin. They heal slowly because any bowel movement can further irritate the wound and cause inflammation of the tissue. Pain in the anus is a very common symptom of this condition. In addition to the pain, there may be bright red blood in the stool or toilet paper, itching around the anus, or a small lump that develops near the stretch mark,” he adds.

Periodontal fistula or abscess and pain

“Periodic fistula is an abnormal communication channel that develops between the inside of the anus and the outer skin around it. Most anal fistulas are the result of an infection that starts in an anal gland, which leads to the formation of a pus-filled abscess. Several abscesses around the anus develop into fistulas, or small communication passages that connect the infected gland to an opening in the skin of the anus. A fistula is more likely to develop if an abscess is left untreated. It causes severe pain in the anus, which can manifest either in the case of an abscess or a fistula. Also, anal cervical fistulas can cause swelling around the anus and its opening, difficulty in bowel movements, discharge of blood or pus during bowel movements, or even fever.

In many cases, painless conditions such as trauma or injury to the rectum or anus cause pain in that area. It can also result from a particularly severe fall or injury during other physical activity. However, pain in the anus can be a symptom of a more life-threatening condition, such as rectal cancer. That is why it is important for the patient who experiences this particular form of pain to consult a specialist, so that unpleasant situations can be prevented” concludes Mr. Mousiolis.