The digestive tract is a tube that runs between the mouth and the anus. You take in food and drink in the mouth, they are broken down in the stomach, nutrients are absorbed in the intestines, and the remains and waste products leave the body through the anus. Plenty of things can go amiss with digestion. Show
One common problem is pain, discomfort, or burning while having a bowel movement (pooping). When this happens on occasion, it might not be a reason to be concerned. However, if it’s happening often or along with other symptoms, it could be a reason to see a healthcare provider to
find a possible cause. This article will discuss the potential reasons for burning while defecating, when to see a healthcare provider, and how it might be treated. ferlistockphoto / Getty Images Possible CausesThere are several reasons for a burning sensation while having a bowel movement (pooping). The most typical reasons are common problems that are treatable. It's also common to feel a burning sensation during defecation if you have recently eaten spicy foods containing hot peppers. Constipation Constipation is when stool is dry, hard, and difficult to pass. People who are constipated may poop fewer
than three times a week. Being constipated and straining to have a bowel movement could be a cause of burning or pain while pooping. The symptoms of constipation include:
Constipation is common and it might be treated with at-home remedies. Some of these include:
When constipation doesn’t go away or get better with making some changes, it may be time to see a healthcare provider. Medication might be prescribed if constipation doesn’t improve with at-home remedies or OTC laxatives. If the problem is ongoing (chronic) or doesn’t get better with treatment, consider getting tested to see what’s causing it. DiarrheaDiarrhea is loose, watery stool that may occur several times a day. Diarrhea might cause burning and pain, especially if the skin around the anus (the perianal area) becomes irritated. Symptoms of diarrhea can include:
Diarrhea is common and could happen for many reasons, such as an infection, food poisoning, before/during a menstrual period, a change in diet, or a stressful event. It may be possible to treat diarrhea at home. This can include:
When diarrhea goes on for longer than three days or there are symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, or bloody stools, it may be time to see a healthcare provider. They may do testing to look for the cause, which could be a virus or bacterium, or a more long-lasting reason. EndometriosisEndometriosis is a condition caused by tissue that’s similar to the tissue lining the uterus (womb) growing outside of the uterus. This tissue could grow in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, behind the uterus, or the urinary tract or intestines. In more severe endometriosis, bowel movements could be affected, causing diarrhea, constipation, or pain. The
signs and symptoms of endometriosis can include:
Treatment for endometriosis can include hormonal birth control (“the pill”) or other medications. Sometimes, surgery to remove the tissue is the treatment that’s used. Getting diagnosed with endometriosis can take a long time and be difficult. Having the symptoms of endometriosis that don’t get better with home remedies is a reason to see a healthcare provider and ask about this common condition. HemorrhoidsHemorrhoids are a common condition that can lead to pain while going to the bathroom. However, some people with hemorrhoids have no pain. Hemorrhoids occur when the veins in the rectum and/or the anus become swollen and painful. They can bleed and cause discomfort, especially when having a bowel movement or when wiping. Typical symptoms of hemorrhoids are:
Treating
hemorrhoids begins with home and over-the-counter (OTC) remedies to reduce the swelling and the pain. Some of the ways that they may be treated include:
When hemorrhoids don’t respond to any at-home treatments or there is significant pain, blood, or other symptoms, it’s time to see a healthcare provider. They may prescribe stronger creams or ointments than those that are available over the counter or offer other treatment options, such as surgery, if needed. Anal Tear A tear in the skin of the anal canal (called an anal fissure) can be painful and cause a burning sensation
while having a bowel movement. The tear can happen while straining to have a bowel movement or passing a hard stool. There are also other reasons and risk factors for anal fissures, and they tend to be common in children. The symptoms of an anal fissure can include:
Treating an anal fissure attempts to relieve the pain and burning while the fissure heals. It can also include treating the reason for the fissure, such as constipation. At-home remedies can include:
Anal fissures are common and they usually heal with treatments at home and don’t happen again. Seeing a healthcare provider when there is pain while having a bowel movement is important for diagnosing an anal fissure as the cause and getting treatment. Blood in or on the stool is also a reason to see a healthcare provider and to discover that is from an anal tear and not another cause. Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseThe inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and indeterminate colitis) are immune-mediated conditions that cause inflammation in the digestive system and other areas of the body. IBD may cause diarrhea and/or constipation, depending on how the disease is expressing itself. There are many symptoms of IBD, which can include:
Diarrhea, constipation, fissures, and abscesses (walled-off pockets of infection and pus) could all lead to pain while having a bowel movement. For IBD, the goal is to get underlying inflammation under control. This will help prevent complications and some of the symptoms that occur with IBD. Treatments include medication, lifestyle changes, and complementary therapies. People with IBD should contact a healthcare provider when they notice new symptoms or when symptoms get worse. There could be a need to change medications, increase the dosage or frequency of current medications, or add another medication. IBD is a lifelong condition, so it’s important to see a gastroenterologist (a specialist in conditions of the digestive system), visiting them on a regular basis, usually yearly or twice yearly when doing well. CancerColon cancer and rectal cancer begin with growths on the inner wall of the intestine called polyps. Polyps can grow large and become cancerous. They also may bleed, cause a blockage in the intestine, or grow into other organs. Pain during a bowel movement can occur with colon or rectal cancer. It may be more common in rectal cancer. The symptoms of colon and rectal cancer can include:
Treatments for colon and rectal cancer can include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy. The way the cancer is treated will be tailored to each person, the type of cancer they have, and the stage/extent. Some people may be concerned that burning while pooping is automatically colon cancer. While it can be a symptom, cancer is not the most common reason. One of the many reasons to see a healthcare provider about burning while pooping is to rule out more serious causes, such as cancer. OtherThere are other conditions that could cause burning while pooping. Some of these are chronic conditions that can affect many parts of the body. Some of the other reasons for burning during bowel movements could include:
When to See a Healthcare ProviderAn occasional change in bowel habits is common and not usually serious. Adults and children will have diarrhea or constipation every so often. However, there are some signs that are a reason to see a healthcare provider. Some of the reasons to see a healthcare provider about pain in the
anus or with a bowel movement include:
How to Maintain Bowel Health You may not think about your bowels until you are having a problem. However, taking care of the bowel is something that can help in making sure that bowel movements are soft, painless, and easy
to pass. To support a healthy bowel, people might consider these lifestyle changes:
Summary There are many common and treatable reasons for burning or pain while pooping, including constipation, diarrhea,
hemorrhoids, and anal tears. If the pain is persistent or is occurring along with other symptoms, especially bleeding, see a healthcare provider to get a diagnosis and treatment. A Word From VerywellPain while having a bowel movement can be alarming. Anal tears and hemorrhoids, in particular, can be quite painful. However, the causes for burning while pooping are varied, and many are treatable. Get checked out by a healthcare provider for the pain, especially when there are other symptoms or it keeps occurring. It’s important that a healthcare provider looks at the anal area to see the cause of the pain. If there’s nothing found to explain the pain, they should do more tests. Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I feel burning when I pass a stool?Burning poop: possible causes
Burning poop can happen when the mucosal lining of your rectum is inflamed. Issues like diarrhea, constipation, bowel disease, and even sexually-transmitted infections like chlamydia can all cause inflammation that makes it painful to poop.
Why does it burn when I poop home remedies?This pain can be either due to constipation, excessive straining, or any other abscess or injury to the anal region. If these home remedies fail to treat your pain then do consult a doctor. Pain while passing stool can also be a symptom of anorectal problems such as piles, fissure, fistula, or pilonidal sinus.
What helps painful passing stools?taking stool softeners.. hydrating with water and water-rich foods.. eating about 20 to 35 grams of fiber per day.. taking a sitz bath to improve blood flow and help muscles relax.. applying hydrocortisone cream or ointment to reduce inflammation.. using pain relief ointments, such as lidocaine, to reduce pain.. |