Anal Pain

Proctologist located in Beverly Hills, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach, CA

Anal pain is a common symptom of anal and perianal conditions. The most common causes of anal pain diagnosed by our office tend to be hemorrhoids (specifically thrombosed external hemorrhoids), anal abscesses, and anal fissures. For example, thrombosed external hemorrhoids and anal fissures are often caused by difficult bowel movements with heavy straining and constipation due to a hard stool. Anal abscesses are often caused by an infection of the anal gland. 

Anal Pain is one of the most common problems seen and treated at tDr. Maziar Ghodsian offices in Beverly Hills and Huntington Beach, California. Anal pain can be debilitating and cause great discomfort and depending on its cause, it can also be life-threatening. If you develop any symptoms of anal pain, contact your nearest Dr. Maziar Ghodsian  office or schedule an in-person or telehealth consultation online today for fast and effective pain relief.

Q&A

What causes anal pain? 

Pain in the anal and/or perianal (area around the anal opening) region could be caused by several reasons including the following. 

Reasons for Anal Pain: 

  • Anal/Rectal Abscesses 
  • Anal Cancer 
  • Anal Fissures 
  • Anorectal Fistulas 
  • Anal Trauma 
  • Colorectal cancer 
  • Condylomas (Anal warts) 
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (Including Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis) ● Perianal Thrombosis (blood in the perianal tissue) 
  • Proctitis (rectal inflammation) due to STD, Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis ● Rectal Ulcers 
  • Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) - Chlamydia, Herpes, Gonorrhea, and other STDs 

Conditions such as hemorrhoids, fissures, and abscesses are common underlying causes of anal pain. In addition, constipation, where the stool is hard, dry, and difficult to pass, can lead to excessive straining and tissue damage. 

How is anal pain diagnosed?

 

At your initial office visit, our proctologist will begin by asking about your medical history, review your symptoms, and go over your current medications. Afterward, the provider will perform a physical examination, including a digital rectal examination and anoscopic examination using a small scope to visualize any abnormal masses or sources of anal pain. If an in-office examination cannot be performed due to the severity of a patient’s pain, your provider may need to perform an exam under anesthesia/colonoscopy to make a proper diagnosis. Once your provider is able to provide a diagnosis, an appropriate care plan will be individually curated and discussed. 

Depending on the findings, our proctologist may also order lab tests to check for infections and underlying conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease as well as recommend diagnostic imaging procedures such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI as well as a colonoscopy. 

How is anal pain treated by proctologists? 

After making a diagnosis, your Dr. Maziar Ghodsian provider will develop a suitable treatment program that may include: 

  • Dietary changes 
  • Toilet Habit Adjustments 
  • Topical Medications 
  • Prescription Suppositories 
  • Sitz Baths 
  • Miralax (stool softener) and or Metamucil (stool forming) to reduce constipation ● Improved Hydration 

Your provider may perform an in-office procedure depending on your anal pain’s cause and severity. Call Dr. Maziar Ghodsian  or schedule a consultation using the online booking feature today to get fast relief from anal pain.