Why Does It Hurt When You Poop? 8 Possible Causes

Key takeaways:

• Many causes of pain when pooping are not serious and will get better without any treatment.
• Hemorrhoids or anal fissures can cause severe pain when pooping, and these conditions can be treated.
• Pain accompanied by a fever or bleeding are more concerning problems, and you should seek treatment at an emergency room.

Pain when pooping is a common problem for many people – one you’ve probably experienced at some point in your life. Understanding the possible causes and treatments can help ease your mind. Hopefully, this article will guide you on when to be concerned and what to do next.

Is it normal to have painful bowel movements?

Everyone has regular bowel habits, and these vary from person to person. But bowel movements should not be painful. Poop (feces or stool) should be soft, and you shouldn’t have to strain to have a bowel movement.

If you do suffer from pain while pooping, it’s likely a short-term condition that will clear up on its own. If the pain is intense, however, or lasts longer than a week, it’s best to see your doctor.

Causes and treatments of painful bowel movements

There are many potential causes of pain while pooping, most of which are not concerning – and a few that are. Treatment can often be done at home without seeing your doctor, but that varies based on the underlying cause.

The following are eight possible causes for suffering from pain while pooping.

1. Constipation

If you are constipated, it means you have only a few bowel movements in a week. This can cause your stool to harden and be painful to pass. There are many causes of constipation, including certain medicines and a low-fiber diet, or this may be your normal pattern of bowel habits.

A condition known as irritable bowel syndrome can also cause constipation. If you notice that you are straining to poop, you should increase your water and dietary fiber intake to try to soften your stool. You may self-treat with suppositories, enemas, or stool softeners to help you have a bowel movement, but it’s best to check with your doctor first.

2. Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen, inflamed veins in the anus and lower rectum. Those on the outside of the anus are often painful and may cause pain with pooping. Hemorrhoids are typically caused by increased pressure from diarrhea, constipation, or straining during bowel movements. They are also common during pregnancy.

If you notice a swollen, painful growth, you should see a doctor or visit the emergency room. If found early (within 72 hours) and you are having severe pain, hemorrhoids may be treated with surgical removal. After this timeframe, your symptoms will generally improve on its own. Sitz baths and over-the-counter pain medication are generally recommended during this time. You can help prevent hemorrhoids by increasing your dietary fiber and taking steps to avoid constipation.

3. Anal fissure

Anal fissures are tears in the skin lining of the anus. They are usually caused by constipation and hard stools, anal trauma, or inflammatory bowel disease. Pain during and after bowel movements is a symptom of anal fissures. You may also find bright-red blood when wiping after you poop.

Most anal fissures clear up on their own within a few weeks. Topical creams can be used to relax the muscles to avoid worsening the fissure. It may disappear when constipation clears up and bowel movements are back to normal. If your fissure does not respond to conservative treatments, you may require surgery. Of course, this is something you’ll want to discuss with your doctor.

4. Diarrhea

If you frequently suffer from diarrhea, it can cause significant irritation of your anus – which can be painful. The irritation develops as the liquid stool repeatedly comes into contact with the delicate skin around your anus.

Consider cleaning yourself more frequently or applying a barrier cream, such as zinc oxide. This can help prevent irritation and heal the damaged skin.

5. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Both irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may cause stomach pains when pooping, as the intestines are inflamed and irritated. You may also experience diarrhea, constipation, or bloating with either of these conditions. IBD may cause more severe abdominal pain, as well as blood in stools. Additionally, a type of Crohn’s disease may affect the anus as well and can cause drainage and pain in this area.

You should monitor for any triggers that may bring on the pain. You may consider avoiding foods that seem to make the pain worse. You may also take acetaminophen for pain as needed.

However, If you continue to have stomach pains with pooping, alternating diarrhea and constipation, or anal pain that is not improving, you should consult with your doctor.

6. Infection

Another possible cause of pain while pooping is infection of the anus or rectum. This could result from a blocked anal gland, which can cause an abscess.

If you discover a painful lump, and/or have severe pain while pooping, see your doctor or go to an emergency room. These abscesses typically require surgical drainage to prevent infection from getting worse. On occasion, you may be prescribed antibiotics as well.

Sexually transmitted infections are a risk for those who participate in anal sex. Herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis can all infect the anus or rectum. Human papillomavirus (HPV) can also cause painful anal warts. All these infections may cause pain with pooping; if you are concerned that you may have an STI, be sure to see your doctor. These infections may require antibiotics or antivirals, depending on the cause.

7. Pelvic floor dysfunction

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that help support the bladder, rectum, and uterus. When these muscles are not working together correctly, it can lead to spasms – and those may cause difficulty and pain with pooping. This diagnosis is more common in women (and individuals assigned female at birth), especially those who have had children.

The treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction depends on how bad your symptoms are. It typically starts with Kegel exercises, which are a series of movements to strengthen the muscles and train them to function correctly. If you continue to have symptoms, you should discuss this with your doctor.

8. Endometriosis

Endometriosis gets its name from “endometrium,” which is the tissue that lines the uterus. In about 10 percent of reproductive-age women (and individuals assigned female at birth), that tissue grows outside the uterus. This is a condition known as endometriosis.

If you have this disorder, you may notice stomach pains during your menstrual cycle. If the growths are located in the intestines or rectum, you may have pain when pooping.

The treatments for endometriosis are based on how bad your symptoms are. These may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen; oral contraceptive pills; or other medications that affect your hormones. In the most serious cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove your uterus.

Read our guides on different types of stool, stool colors, and healthy vs. unhealthy stool for more.

When to see a doctor about painful bowel movements

In most situations, pain when pooping goes away on its own without any treatment. There are signs you should be aware of, however, that indicate the need to see your healthcare provider.

You should see a doctor if:

• You have pain lasting more than a few days;
• You notice blood when wiping after a bowel movement;;
• You have anal pain, and you notice drainage or lumps forming;
• You have pain after having anal sex.

You should go to the emergency room if:

• Pain is making you unable to poop;
• You have pain along with blood in your poop;
• You have pain and a fever;
• You have severe anal pain that is not improving.

Questions to ask your doctor about painful bowel movements

• How long should I expect this pain to last?
• Is there anything I can do to get rid of this discomfort?
• What warning signs should I watch for that merit a call to your office?
• Is this likely to keep happening?

Frequently asked questions: painful bowel movements

What if it hurts when I poop and there is blood in my stool?

Hemorrhoids and anal fissures can cause pain with pooping, and you may notice some blood when you wipe. If you have severe pain, consider seeking medical care. Your healthcare providers can determine the cause and discuss any immediate treatment options with you.

Why do I have sharp pains during bowel movements?

Constipation, anal fissures, and pelvic floor dysfunction can cause sharp pain when you are pooping. This sharp pain may be caused by a cut in the tissue around the anus or spasms in the muscles as you are trying to poop.

Why do I feel a burning sensation when I poop?

Diarrhea and anal fissures may cause a burning sensation when you poop. If you’ve been having frequent diarrhea, this can irritate the delicate skin around the anus, which can cause burning when you poop or wipe. Breaks or tears in the skin from anal fissures may also cause burning when you wipe.

Managing pain when you have a bowel movement

Pain when you poop is most likely due to a relative minor issue like constipation, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or diarrhea. The pain may resolve on its own with simple treatments like water and fiber intake, over-the-counter medications, and time. However, if your symptoms last longer than a few days to a week or you have concerning symptoms (fevers or bleeding), don’t hesitate to get an appointment with your doctor.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Poushali Bhattacharjee, MD.

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