Conditions
Anal Fissure
An anal fissure is a small tear of the skin just inside the opening of the anus, which are very common in people of all ages, but are most common in teenagers and young adults. Frequently no cause is found for an anal fissure, but they can occur on other parts of the body (the image above shows one on the tongue). However, it is commonly linked to constipation, where straining on hard stools (a feeling akin to trying to pass a house brick) can tear the skin of the anus. The resulting fissure can cause a sharp, knife-like pain, especially when opening the bowels. It may also bleed a little and stain the toilet paper with bright red blood. But before you declare the toilet a crime scene, it’s worth remembering that an anal fissure, whilst painful and sometimes upsetting, is very rarely serious and will usually heal on its own in a couple of weeks. But if it doesn’t, then get your GP to have a look – they’ll have seen it all before.
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Hi, I've got a chronic anal fissure, that i've had for 2 and half years, since the birth of my baby. I've tried the GTN cream (awful headaches as a side effect), Anoheal (diltiazem cream), both of which didn't work, i've had 2 anal dilatations under anaesthetic, which obviously didn't work. My consultant is now talking about a lateral sphinterotomy, however, after watching last Friday's embarrassing bodies show, Dr Pixie showed members of the public that if they raise the level of their feet whilst having a poo, this helps the internal sphincter muscle from going into spasm (which causes a lot of the strain when pooing, causing the fissure to tear open again. I thought i'd give it a go. I'm now shouting from the rooftops!!! I HAVE HAD 5 PAIN FREE POOS!!!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!! All I do is sit on the loo and put my feet up on the bathroom pedal bin. I'm now hoping and praying this has solved the problem long term without the need for surgery. If by writing this i've helped just one person, then it's worth it. I'd like to say a very big Thank You to Dr Pixie!!!
I have had an anal fissure for the past 3 years, i have been to the doctorsand to a specialist about it but they keep saying it'll be fine! it has got better but is still there and cant still be very painfull. it has caused me to put on weight as i dont go to the toilet as much, it has affected my social life as i dont want to stay at a persons house because it itches more at night and its generally just really upsetting me. I have been told botox on the area can cure this but currently anything will do!
I feel totally lost and don't know what to do - I am almost 60 and have had a long history of problems starting with very painful periods from the age of 12 several D & C ops in my 20's difficult childbirth,ovarian cyst, Endometriosis, total hysterectomy and ovaries removed at 33 Further operations prolapse bladder, colon, vaginia - now severe diverticulitis which meant part of my colon was removed 3 years ago. Since then my life has been hell. I suffer from painful bowel movements every day - fissures that never heal! blood in my stools, blood clots, now painful urination and sex is history. It is too sore and painful. I live on a diet of lactulose, suppositries,, veg soup and fruit but it does not heal even with all the creams etc.What is wrong with my body? It is sore, painful and embarrassing and costing me a lot of money to get help only to be told it is polyps or another anal prolapse - Can you help or tell me who can help me?
I'm 17 and I think i have anal fissure but have been too embarrassed to say anything about it, especially when it really hurts. I've told my mum but when she asks me if it's ok i just say it's fine when it's really not. I've had it for about a year now and sometimes it hurts more than others, to the extent that i dread going to the loo. I am going to be brave though and go to my GP because i really want it to go away, you all should too because that's what the doctor's there for and they've seen it all before. I'm just happy that i'm not the only one going through this!!
I started to feel pain and bleeding when going to the toilet and I was scared to the point that I refused to see the doctor. I left it for a few years and finally plucked up the courage to go a few weeks ago. I described the pain as trying to give birth to a water melon from my bum with an after burn as if I had eaten 17 curries the night before. The doctor advised it was an anal fissure caused by straining to go to the toilet, it is a small tear that apparantly takes 6 - 8 weeks to heal. I was advised to try a high fibre diet with plenty of water and was prescribed lactalose to soften stools making it easier to go to the toilet without screaming in pain. I also use Sudocrem (baby's bum cream!) which is antiseptic and seems to be helping with the healing process. Please don't suffer when you don't need to..... although the doctor will have to examine you, to finally get the treatment you need is well worth the embarrassment, trust me x
I'm a 22 year old female and I think this is what I have. I'm going to the doctors tomorrow about another problem but am trying to build up the courage to ask about this! It seems so many people are affected but very few are brave enough to ask! I really don't want anyone looking around down there! Will let you know if I have the courage to ask!
I saw your show a few weeks ago and it featured a woman with an anal fissure. It was said on the show that it should clear up after a few weeks as it heals naturally. I have been suffering from a bleeding anus since last august whenever 'open my bowels'. I am a 16 year old female and have started to see bits of tissue like a period bit on the toilet roll and also it has started bleeding so much that the water is becoming red with the blood. It is bright red fresh blood and I have been too embarresed to talk to my parents about it or see a doctor. It's becoming painful to sit for several hours after and is starting to affect my social life aswell as my personal life. How worried should I be?
I'm the same age as you and i'm female. I understand how embarrassing it may be as i think i have an anal fissure too. I have not told anybody either as i find it extremely embarrassing. I dont seem to have it as bad as you but its slowly getting worse. But when i go to the toilet, mainly after a number 2, it bleeds, sometimes very little and sometimes more. I can also sometimes feel it whilst sitting, sort of like a very slight stinging. its not pain, its just discomfort. I dont know what to do either! x
Im exactly the same as you, im 16 too and have had mine for about 4 weeks now.. im way to embaressed to tell my parents, and cant even imagine having to explain it to the doctor! Its really getting me down, i just want to have normal bowel movements again.. im also worried, as im going on holliday soon, and i dont want it to ruin my holliday. I just want something that easy to buy in a shop which will make it better, id rather that than having to go to a doctor.
See your doctor and dont be embarresed I have had a fissure the pain was so bad I ended up in A&E more than once .See your GP and ask to be refered I have had a operation to sort this out There was very little pain and I was only in for a day . You must get help as they dont always heal by themselfs . just think would you rather be in pain or do you want to get better . if its the latter see the doc they have seen it all before and it only takes a couple of minites . good luck
I'm 17 and I think this is what I have....I've been suffering from it for several years and it sometimes gets to the point that I'm scared to go to the loo because I'm usually in so much pain....I'm way too embarressed to go to the doctors or to tell my mum....is there any way I could deal with this problem without going to the doctors :/
Hello Doc, I have this problem with my anus and I don't know whether it is an anal fissure!? It really hurts when I go to the toilet to pass stool and it also bleed, its not much bleeding but it does still bleed and also very painfull in just anus area. I was intended to buy some constipation pils over the counter but I am not sure wheather it is a right medicine. I haven't been to see my doctor because it dosent seems to be stay long but when this problem arise I do suffer a lot and also quite embarrassed to disclose this matter with my doctor. I would be appreciative if you kindly explain to me about this problem and how can I resolved this problem. Pleaseeeeeeeeeee !!!! I am look forward to hear from you soon.
I'm pretty sure this is what i have. and i have had it for 3 months. it get's really itchy and often inflammed. im only 15 and it hurts badly. help ?
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