If your bathroom trips have you wondering, “why does it hurt to poop?” You’re not alone. Many people struggle with digestive issues that can make going to the toilet a painful or uncomfortable experience.
This article will talk about why it can hurt to poop by diving into some of the causes of painful bowel movements. Next, we’ll talk about how you can get the best treatment for these causes. Finally, we’ll let you know how to make bowel movements a more effortless, more comfortable experience.
Why Does It Hurt To Poop?
It’s not uncommon to feel a little bit of pressure or strain when you poop, as your bowel movements are affected by many variables. Your diet, mental state, coffee consumption, and physical activities all play a part, for example. However, if it hurts to poop and the pain is substantial, it’s best to visit a gastroenterologist who can look at the problem. Some causes behind a painful bowel movement are:
Hemorrhoids. These are blood vessels in the anus or rectum that have swollen. They may be displaced from their usual location inside the rectum, appearing outside the anus and leading to pain and discomfort. They can also bleed when you wipe and be quite itchy, making it even more uncomfortable to go to the toilet.
Anal fissures. The sensitive skin around the anus can easily crack, chafe or develop a cut. This can lead to a sharp stinging or burning, pain, an itchy anus, or even bleeding during a bowel movement. Fortunately, these are not too much cause for concern and will heal within two to four weeks. A doctor may prescribe ointments or stool softeners to help ease the recovery and promote healing.
Constipation. This is when you poop irregularly and pass hard stool that can be almost stone-like. Being constipated can mean pain even when you’re not pooping due to the buildup of hard, dry feces in your colon. This, too, is relatively simple to treat.
Diarrhea. While diarrhea itself may not seem like it can be very painful, constantly wiping after each bowel movement can irritate the delicate skin around the anus. This can result in anal fissures, bleeding, irritation and inflammation. However, this is also a temporary pain that should subside as diarrhea clears.
More complex causes for pain while pooping include endometriosis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and even colorectal or anal cancer. Of course, the best way to screen for these conditions is to visit a qualified professional gastroenterologist. They’ll be able to diagnose the problem and offer treatment in the form of lifestyle or dietary changes, medication, or ointments to soothe the area.
Tips to Ensure Smooth Bathroom Trips
To ensure you stay in good general gastrointestinal health, make sure that you:
- Stay hydrated by drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day.
- Get enough dietary fiber, or take a fiber supplement such as Metamucil.
- Eat a varied and balanced diet.
- Don’t sit on the toilet for long periods, which can aggravate hemorrhoids.
At the Gastroenterology Diagnostic Center, we have significant experience in treating gastrointestinal disorders. If you’d like to schedule a consultation with our board-certified gastroenterologists, please give us a call at (281) 357-1977. We will be happy to help you enhance your quality of life and show you why we’re the best GI in Tomball.