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Pain during defecation
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025

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Discomfort or pain during bowel movements is certainly a cause for panic and confusion if a person experiences pain constantly or occasionally. A person may also experience pain if he or she passes large, hard or bloody stools. Therefore, there may be several reasons for painful bowel movements. Let's look at them in more detail.
What causes pain during bowel movements?
Indigestion
In most cases, this disorder is caused by the amount and type of food a person eats not being suitable for their gastrointestinal tract. A person may suffer from stomach and intestinal problems if they eat more than they need or if they eat very spicy and fatty foods. Diarrhea due to food poisoning or indigestion can also cause pain during bowel movements.
Constipation
Causes of constipation include dehydration and the use of diuretics. A deficiency in foods containing natural fiber can also lead to constipation. Bowel movements during constipation are usually painful and irregular, accompanied by pain during bowel movements.
Anal fissures
Cracks or fissures in the skin around the anal area are known as anal fissures. Anal fissures can cause a lot of pain during and after bowel movements. Apart from fissures, abscesses in the anal area can also cause pain during bowel movements.
Tumors in the rectum
Cancerous or benign growths can cause a blockage in the rectum or anus. Rectal or anal cancer can cause pain during bowel movements. The actual cause of rectal cancer is unknown, but it is most often diagnosed in older adults.
Haemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids or piles cause pain due to swelling of the veins in and around the anal sphincter. This occurs when extra pressure is placed on the rectal veins or rectal area.
Constipation and diarrhea are the most common causes of painful and bloody stools in children. They are also symptoms of other conditions, such as proctitis, Crohn's disease, prostate cancer, and diverticulitis.
Foreign bodies of the rectum
Foreign bodies of the rectum, sometimes unusual (toothpicks, chicken and fish bones) and associated with sexual play, can be introduced into the rectum intentionally.
Who to contact?
How to treat pain during bowel movements?
First of all, it is worth finding out the cause of these pains. You need to change your diet: drink up to 2 liters of liquid per day, include more vegetables and fruits in your diet, which contain fiber that softens the stool. Green salads and whole grain products are also needed. If constipation is temporary, you can use a laxative, but do not get carried away with it, so as not to cause addiction. Treatment of rectal cancer depends on the stage and development of cancer.
If a person suffers from painful bowel movements for a long time, he should consult a doctor, as this may be a symptom of serious diseases. In addition, blood in the stool is a sure sign of serious disorders, in which case you should immediately consult a doctor.
How to prevent pain during bowel movements?
First of all, you need to eat healthy food and maintain a balanced diet. This is extremely important to overcome painful bowel movements (pain during bowel movements). You should also avoid eating very spicy foods, especially at night. If you drink up to 2 liters of water per day, this amount helps to dilute the acid in the stomach. This can also be useful in overcoming constipation and hemorrhoids.
Most of the above mentioned diseases that cause pain during bowel movements can be effectively treated if you consult a doctor. Therefore, if you have problems with bowel movements, it makes sense to go to the clinic for a consultation.