Cramps can appear in different parts of the body and at different times in life. The anus is a very sensitive area that is not exempt from cramps. This discomfort tends to appear occasionally, causing pain in the anal region.
The appearance of cramps in the anus can manifest itself for different causes : from infections, inflammations and constipation to chronic diseases that give rise to the appearance of them. Cramps in the anus appear without warning and can make daily life difficult, so it is important to identify the main cause and follow the treatment recommended by the doctor.
In this FastlyHealarticle, you will know all the information about cramps in the anus: causes and treatment .
Table of Contents
Hemorrhoids
This alteration is the inflammation of the veins that are in the anal region, product of pathologies such as constipation, pregnancy or childbirth. These generate hemorrhoids, also known as piles, which are evidenced by the appearance of:
- Stitches and cramps in the anus.
- Itching in the anus.
- Pain in the anus
- Irritation in the anus.
Treatment
To treat hemorrhoids or piles it is recommended to implement:
- A diet for hemorrhoids , rich in fiber that facilitates evacuation.
- Use of cotton underwear.
- Wet wipes to replace toilet paper.
Learn more about hemorrhoids in the article Hemorrhoids: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments .
Constipation
When the intestinal transit does not work properly, constipation occurs, which is why the evacuation of stool becomes difficult. The constipation causes punctures or cramps in the anus and abdominal region.
Treatment
If you want to avoid constipation, you should follow these recommendations:
- Increase your daily water intake.
- Practice physical exercise daily.
- Add more fiber to your diet.
In cases where you do not improve with these tips, you should go to your doctor, who will evaluate your case and through the diagnosis will indicate the treatment to follow according to the symptoms you present.
Prolonged diarrhea
Diarrhea consisting of liquid stools and increased number of bowel movements, can occur for some time, so that the anus can become irritated. Prolonged diarrhea can cause:
- Stitches
- Cramps in the anus.
- Burning in the anus.
- Irritation in the anus.
- Blood in the stool.
For more information, you can see Why I get diarrhea very often .
Treatment
The indicated thing to treat prolonged diarrhea is to start a diet to restore the bacterial flora , which is the main affected during these diarrheal pictures. It is important to be clear about the cause of diarrhea to differentiate if it is of bacterial or viral origin.
If it turns out to be prolonged bacterial diarrhea, antibiotic treatment should be started , in addition to restoring the lost electrolytes to avoid dehydration.
Infection
Infections, caused by sexually transmitted bacteria or viruses such as HPV, herpes, or gonorrhea, can lead to punctures, pain, and cramps in the anus.
Treatment
When the origin of the cramps is an infection, you should go to the doctor. He will determine the type of infection and if it is of antimicrobial bacterial origin, if it is viral, the treatment will be symptomatic.
Likewise, for the hygiene of the anal area it is recommended to replace the use of toilet paper with plenty of water.
Absceso perianal
It is an infection of the skin that covers the perianal region. Perianal abscess can occur as a result of:
- An anorectal disease.
- An inflammatory process at the intestinal level.
- A reaction after a surgical act in this area.
- Presence of cancer in the anus.
In addition to causing pain and cramps in the anus, other symptoms of perianal abscess can be:
- Inflammation in the anus.
- Punctures.
- Presence of pus in the anus.
- Fever.
Treatment
In the presence of an abscess you should go to the doctor, he will be in charge of treating the injury.
- If you have pus, the doctor will drain it and indicate an antibiotic according to the lesion you present.
- If the abscess is very large, you may require hospitalization to comply with the intravenous treatment , this is how they can provide you with antibiotics or anti-inflammatories as the case may be.
- If the injury is deep, you may require surgery to prevent a fistula from forming.
Learn more about perianal abscess in Perianal abscess: causes and treatment .
Anal fissure
Small wounds may appear in the anal region due to traumatic injuries, such as when cleaning with toilet paper, if you suffer from constipation or during anal sex. Despite being very small injuries, anal fissures can be painful, causing cramps in the anus and punctures.
Treatment
These wounds often heal on their own without treatment. Occasionally, anesthetic ointments can be used to relieve discomfort in the aforementioned anal area. In addition to the ointment, it is recommended to take sitz baths with warm water.
Proctitis
Proctitis consists of the inflammation of the wall that covers the rectum. It is usually caused by a sexually transmitted disease, which is evident by its symptoms:
- Cramps in the anus.
- Stitches in the anus.
- Blood when defecating.
- Anal burning
- Constipation.
To avoid proctitis, you can read the article How to prevent sexually transmitted diseases .
Treatment
If this is your case and you suffer from proctitis, you should go to the doctor. This will ask for an analysis of your stool or a sigmoidoscopy to make the diagnosis and indicate the treatment to follow, with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs .
Intestinal endometriosis
Intestinal endometriosis occurs when the endometrium (tissue that lines the uterus) is inside the walls of the intestine, causing pain, cramps, and pricking during menstruation.
Treatment
The gynecologist is in charge of treating this alteration, making the correct diagnosis and, depending on the symptoms, will establish a surgical resolution or hormonal therapy to control the discomfort.
If this is your cause of cramps in the anus, you can know more in Endometriosis: symptoms, types and treatments .
Crohn’s disease
It is a chronic disease that appears in the gastrointestinal tract, the product of an inflammation that affects the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. Crohn’s disease is characterized by symptoms such as:
- Presence of ulcers.
- Loss of appetite
- Weightloss.
- Stitches or cramps in the anus.
Treatment
Crohn’s disease has no cure, however, the recommended treatment is to improve symptoms by controlling inflammation. For this, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to monitor the bacterial growth inside the intestines.
Surgery is also an option: intestinal resection consists of removing the damaged part of the intestine and connecting it with the healthy part.
Learn more about this disease in the article Crohn’s disease: symptoms and treatment .
Ulcerative colitis
The ulcerative colitis is an inflammation of the rectum and colon generated inside inflammation or ulcers , and other symptoms such as:
- Abdominal pain.
- Pain in the anus
- Blood when defecating.
- Fever.
- Stitches and cramps in the anus.
Treatment
Treatment is based on drug therapy and surgery, for this reason drugs such as corticosteroids or immunomodulators are used to strengthen the immune system.
Surgery removes ulcerative colitis through a procedure known as a proctocolectomy , which involves removing the entire rectum and colon. The surgeon will permanently create an opening in the abdomen through which they will pass to be collected in a special bag.
Anal cancer
The presence of a cancerous tumor in the anal region can trigger the appearance of:
- Cramps in the anus.
- Anal pain
- Inflammation in the anal mucosa.
- Appearance of nodule or tumor.
- Loss of weight and appetite.
Anal cancer treatment
When some of the symptoms that accompany this disease appear, you should go to the doctor immediately. The oncology specialist or proctologist will determine if it is cancer. If so, depending on the state of the cancer lesion, the corresponding treatment will be carried out.
How to avoid the appearance of cramps in the anus
If you want to prevent the appearance of cramps in the anus, you must change certain habits such as:
- Adopt a diet rich in fiber , this way you will improve or ward off constipation.
- Avoid the consumption of spicy foods, full of fat or some foods that can cause gas.
- It is important to increase your fluid intake , that is, you should drink at least 2 liters of water daily.
- Practice physical exercise daily.
- Take care of the hygiene of the anal region : do not exceed the use of soaps, because they produce dryness of the mucosa of the anus, this generates the appearance of lesions in the area.
- Sitz baths are an excellent option to relax the muscles in the anal area.
If your discomfort of cramps in the anus that is not solved with these recommendations, go to your trusted doctor to rule out any pathology and start the appropriate treatment as soon as possible.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Cramps in the anus: causes and treatment , we recommend that you enter our category of Digestive system .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.