Pressure on the rectum can make it feel like there’s poop stuck in the anus. Pressure within the rectum can be uncomfortable and painful. Possible causes range from constipation to abscess.
The rectum is the last part of the large intestine. The stool passes through it before leaving the anus. The rectum is located near many other pelvic organs, usually next to the lower spine or sacrum.
Pressure in this area can cause general discomfort and the feeling that poop or feces is stuck in the anus.
If you experience rectal compression, we recommend that you consult your doctor about possible causes and treatments. Some people may feel embarrassed to tell their doctor, but there’s no need to because this is a common symptom of many treatable problems.
Possible causes of rectal pressure are:
constipation
Constipation is when a person has difficulty having a bowel movement or has bowel movements less frequently than usual.
When you are constipated, your stool becomes hard and dry, which can increase the feeling of pressure in your rectum.
Common symptoms of constipation are:
- Feeling like your bowels aren’t empty
- have
three Defecating less than once a week - Stool is lumpy, dry, or hard
- strain when going to the toilet
Everyone experiences constipation from time to time, but chronic constipation can be uncomfortable and may be caused by another gastrointestinal disorder.
Click here to learn more about chronic constipation.
hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids occur as swollen veins around the rectum or anal opening.
External hemorrhoids around the anal opening are usually visible or palpable, but it is usually not obvious whether there are internal hemorrhoids in the rectum.
Symptoms of hemorrhoids in addition to rectal pressure
- Feeling of burning sensation when defecating
- Itching around the rectum
- A small amount of blood on the toilet paper after defecating
In the United States, hemorrhoids affect those around you.
Your risk of developing hemorrhoids increases during pregnancy, if you have a history of constipation, and as you age.
Learn how long hemorrhoids last.
anal abscess or anal fistula
An anal abscess is an area of pus around the anus. Abscesses can develop when the anal glands become clogged and bacteria grow.
If left untreated, an anal abscess can develop.
Symptoms of anal abscess or anal fistula include:
People with Crohn’s disease are at increased risk of developing anal abscesses and anal fistulas. In some cases, fistulas may require surgical treatment.
Learn more about fistulas in Crohn’s disease.
anal fissure
An anal fissure occurs when part of the lining of the rectum or anus tears. This tear can occur when you have a large bowel movement or forcefully pass stool.
In addition to rectal pressure, you may experience rectal bleeding and pain, especially when defecating again.
Learn about anal bumps.
fecal incontinence
Fecal incontinence occurs when you are unable to control the timing of your bowel movements. You may accidentally defecate before going to the toilet.Chronic constipation, nerve damage, muscle damage
In addition to rectal pressure, mucus may also be present. The stool is loose and looks like diarrhea.
This condition can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, but many treatments are available to reduce or stop symptoms.
Learn more about diarrhea.
prostatitis
Prostatitis is a condition that occurs when the prostate gland, a small gland that helps produce semen, becomes inflamed.prostatitis is Normal deadline Bacterial infection is possible, but sometimes the cause is unknown.
In addition to pressure on the rectum, prostatitis can cause symptoms such as:
Treatment for prostatitis depends on the underlying cause.
Learn more about the prostate.
rectal prolapse
Rectal prolapse occurs when the rectum slides out of the anus and turns inside out. This happens because the muscles that maintain it weaken.
People with rectal prolapse may feel something falling out of their rectum during a bowel movement. Sometimes people may mistake rectal prolapse for hemorrhoids.
Other symptoms associated with rectal prolapse include:
- Difficulty feeling when you need to defecate
- Incontinence or accidental defecation
- mucus from the rectum
- painful defecation
If left untreated, rectal prolapse will occur.
Learn more about inflammation of the rectal lining.
ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and ulcers in the large intestine, including the rectum.
Because the condition is chronic, people with UC learn to cope with flare-ups, but may also experience asymptomatic periods during remission.
Signs that a person may have UC include:
Doctors don’t know what causes ulcerative colitis, but they do know that people with a family history of inflammatory bowel disease are more likely to develop the disease.
For more information about IBD, please visit our dedicated hub.
Other causes of rectal pain
A person may experience different forms of rectal pain for different reasons, including:
Learn more about rectal pain.
Sometimes it feels like poop is stuck in the anus, similar to pressure on the rectum. This is a fecal impaction, a place where hard, dry stools appear.
Treatment and management includes:
- move around
- Use a small footstool to raise your knees above your hips.
- eat foods rich in fiber
- drink more water
- exercise more
- use laxatives
Learn more about accommodation.
To diagnose the cause of rectal compression, your doctor will review your medical history and ask you about your symptoms. They may ask when the person first noticed the pressure and whether anything has gotten better or worse.
Doctors usually perform a physical examination of the rectum. They may also insert a gloved finger to check for abnormalities, such as hemorrhoids.
Your doctor may also recommend further tests to examine your rectum. This involves inserting an instrument called an anoscope or sigmoidoscope.
These thin devices, which have a camera and light on the tip, allow doctors to see inside the intestines and identify problems.
Doctors may also use imaging tests, such as x-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans, to identify abnormalities such as tumors, abscesses, or fistulas.
Other diagnostic tests include anorectal manometry, which measures the average pressure within a person’s rectum.
Treatment for rectal pressure depends on the underlying cause.
Occasional constipation can be treated at home by using over-the-counter laxatives, eating more fiber, and drinking plenty of water.
Your doctor may also prescribe medications to treat chronic constipation. If you have prostatitis, your doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics to treat the underlying infection.
If you have a chronic condition such as UC, Crohn’s disease, or chronic prostatitis, your doctor can prescribe medications to help manage your symptoms. In some cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to correct problems such as rectal prolapse or anal fistulas.
Learn about home remedies for constipation.
If rectal pressure occurs regularly, consult your doctor.
If you develop any signs of acute infection or bleeding, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Learn when constipation is an emergency.
Compression in the rectum is a common symptom for a variety of conditions. Unless rectal pressure is due to occasional constipation, you should see your doctor for diagnosis.
Your doctor will recommend effective treatments for rectal compression and provide advice and medications to prevent rectal compression.