Anal Disorders

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Basics

• Summary
• Start Here
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis and Tests
• Treatments and Therapies

Learn More

• Related Issues
• Specifics

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Research

• Clinical Trials
• Journal Articles

Resources

• Find an Expert

For You

• Patient Handouts

Summary

What is the anus?

Your anus is the opening at the end of your large intestine. It is where stool (poop) leaves your body.

What are anal disorders?

Problems with the anus are common. They include:

• Hemorrhoids
• Abscesses
• Fissures, small cracks or tears in the lining of your anus
• Anorectal fistula, an abnormal tunnel from your anus or rectum to the skin surface
• Anal itching (pruritus ani)
• Cancer

What are the symptoms of anal disorders?

Your symptoms will depend on which disorder you have. But some of the more common symptoms may include:

• Bleeding
• Discharge
• Itching
• Pain
• Swelling

How are anal disorders diagnosed?

To make a diagnosis, your health care provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history. Depending upon your symptoms, your provider may:

• Check the skin around your anus for anything that looks abnormal.
• Perform a digital rectal exam (DRE). For this exam, your provider inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the lower part of your rectum to feel for lumps or anything unusual.
• Order tests, such as an anoscopy.

You may be embarrassed to talk about your anal troubles. But it's important to let your provider know about your symptoms, especially if you have pain or bleeding. The more details you can give about your problem, the better your provider can help you.

How are anal disorders treated?

Treatments vary, depending on the condition you have.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Start Here

• Anal and Rectal Disorders (Merck & Co., Inc.) Also in Spanish

Symptoms

• Anal Pain (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Rectal Bleeding (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Understanding Minor Rectal Bleeding (American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy) Also in Spanish

Diagnosis and Tests

• Anoscopy (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Colonoscopy: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Lower GI Series (Barium Enema) (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
• Lower GI X-Ray (Barium Enema) (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
• Testing of the Anorectal and Pelvic Floor Area (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders)

Treatments and Therapies

• Anal fissure - series (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• How to Use Rectal Suppositories (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists)
• Imperforate anus repair - series (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Related Issues

• How to Get More Fiber in Your Diet (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish

Specifics

• Anal Abscess and Fistula (American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons) Also in Spanish
• Anal Fissure (American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons)
• Anal Fissures (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
• Anal Itching (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Pelvic Floor Dyssynergia (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• Pruritus Ani (American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Anus Diseases (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Associations of intestinal diseases with anal diseases: a Mendelian randomization study.
• Article: Characterization of Risk Factors Affecting the Recurrence of Perianal Abscesses and...
• Article: Sexual Function After Surgical Treatment for Benign Anorectal Disorders.
• Anal Disorders -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• American College of Gastroenterology
• American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
• Find a Gastroenterologist (American College of Gastroenterology)
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Patient Handouts

• Anal fissure (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Anal itching - self-care (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Anorectal abscess (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Anoscopy (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Digital rectal exam (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Imperforate anus (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Perianal streptococcal cellulitis (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish