Why Does It Burn When I Poop?
Summary
- There are many reasons why a bowel movement can cause burning and discomfort. Some of these reasons include constipation, diarrhea, anal fissures, and inflammatory bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis).
- You can avoid bowel movements that are painful by developing good habits, such as eating regular meals and using the bathroom at the same time each day.
- Cancer is one of the rare reasons why it may burn when you poop.
- There are topical treatments available, but to really remedy bowel movement discomfort, you must prioritize digestive health.
Constipation is the most common digestive issue in the U.S., and chronic constipation is estimated to affect over 63 million Americans.
According to the statistics, between 60 and 70 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with a digestive disease in recent years.
A burning sensation when you poop is often a symptom of a digestive disorder.
In this article, we’ll discuss painful bowel movements, conditions that can cause them, and steps you can take to treat digestive discomfort.
Are Painful Bowel Movements Normal?
There are several reasons why you may have a painful bowel movement. Sometimes it’s just temporary — a side effect of a brief digestive issue — but if you experience a sharp or lingering pain when passing a stool, this may be an indication of a more serious condition.
Temporary pain may occur if, for example, you have too little fiber and water in your diet. This can result in a hard stool that’s difficult to pass. Painful bowel movements caused by constipation often resolve when the constipation passes.
Difficult bowel movements — and the burning sensation that’s sometimes associated with them — can be inconvenient but are only serious in certain cases.
Pay close attention to any other symptoms you are having, as this can help your doctor better understand what’s going on.
Additional symptoms associated with painful bowel movements
If you have trouble passing a stool, you may also experience one or more of the following:
A burning sensation when pooping
An inability to completely empty your bowels
A feeling like there’s a blockage in your digestive system
A need to remove the stool with your finger
Abdominal pain
Stools that are lumpy or hard
Runny stools
The passing of three or more stools per day
The passing of fewer than three stools per week
Rectal bleeding
Bloody stools
Fever or chills
Why Does It Burn When I Poop? Possible Causes
Sometimes a burning poop can be remedied simply by going easy on spicy foods.
However, if the burning sensation does not calm down even after you’ve removed spicy foods from your diet, your problem may be linked to one of the following conditions:
Constipation
Occasional constipation is normal. Your digestive system will be affected by diet, stress, and hormonal changes from time to time, but chronic constipation can cause a burning sensation when you pass a stool.
Constipation may be a condition that millions of Americans struggle with, but there are solutions. Speak to your doctor for professional medical advice on how to manage your constipation.
Key Point: What is Chronic Constipation?
It’s not normal to strain when passing a stool. If your constipation continues for several weeks or months, though, it’s considered chronic.
Passing a stool three times per week may be normal for some people, but you shouldn’t experience pain or have to push very hard during a bowel movement.
Constipation that persists may also indicate a bowel blockage (also known as an intestinal obstruction). Contact your doctor immediately if you suspect this, especially if you have stomach cramps as well.
Anal fissures
Also known as anal tears, anal fissures refer to tears in the lining of the anus or small cuts around the exit of the anus.
Anal fissures typically form when you pass a hard stool, but they can also be caused by chronic diarrhea.
Discomfort, bloody stools, and sharp pains that worsen during and after each bowel movement are some symptoms of anal fissures.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
One of the symptoms of IBS is frequent diarrhea that can cause a burning sensation when you poop. Gas and stomach cramps are among the other symptoms of IBS.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus or rectum. They can be caused by:
Chronic diarrhea
Chronic constipation
Straining during bowel movements
Stress
Hemorrhoids can cause itching, discomfort, and hard lumps around the anus.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Inflammatory bowel disease refers to chronic inflammatory conditions that affect the digestive tract. There are two main types of inflammatory bowel diseases, namely:
Crohn’s disease: Crohn’s disease affects the lining and sometimes the deeper layers of the digestive tract. The disease may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue.
Ulcerative colitis: This condition is characterized by inflammation and sores on the inner lining of the rectum and the colon (large intestine).
Proctitis
This inflammatory condition affects the rectal lining and typically arises due to trauma in this area caused by anal sex and/or the insertion of objects.
Some symptoms of proctitis include:
Rectal pain
Diarrhea
Rectal bleeding
Itching
Discharge
The constant urge to pass a stool
Diarrhea
Three or more sudden bowel movements per day may indicate diarrhea. When you have diarrhea, food passes through your system faster and your stool may still contain digestive enzymes, stomach acid, and bile from the digestive process. These substances can burn or irritate rectal tissue.
Some factors that may lead to burning diarrhea include:
Spicy foods
Digestive acids, such as bile
Excessive alcohol
Caffeine
Sweeteners
Frequent use of laxatives
Fructose (fruit sugars)
Food intolerances
Food poisoning
Medications that cause diarrhea, such as metformin (used to treat diabetes)
Chronic digestive conditions
Certain surgeries and therapies, such as radiation therapy
Cancer
Though uncommon, colon cancer and rectal cancer can sometimes cause a burning sensation when you pass a stool. Both of these conditions start out with growths called polyps — these attach themselves to the intestinal wall, sometimes causing blockages and bleeding.
Here are some of the symptoms of colon and rectal cancer:
Changes in bowel habits, such as pooping more often or less often (constipation or diarrhea)
Changes in stool consistency
Anal discharge or bloody stools
Growths in the anus
Itching, irritation, burning, or pain in or around the anus
Cramps, gas, or other abdominal pain
Fatigue
Unintended weight loss
Constantly feeling like you cannot completely empty your bowels
If you experience one or more of the above symptoms, or you suspect an underlying medical condition is causing the burning sensation when you poop, contact your doctor.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
A sexually transmitted infection can cause painful bowel movements.
The following STIs may cause rectal inflammation (proctitis):
STIs that cause a burning sensation during bowel movements may cause additional symptoms such as:
Rectal discomfort or bleeding
A constant urge to pass a stool
Constipation
Anal pain
Diet or lifestyle
Food and lifestyle choices can have a direct impact on your digestive health. Therefore, it’s important to make choices that contribute to gut health.
Here are some factors that can negatively impact your body’s ability to digest food:
A diet high in fat and low in fiber
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
Not drinking enough water
Not eating meals at the same time each day (no eating schedule)
Not exercising enough
Not getting enough sleep
High stress levels or anxiety
Treatments for Discomfort
The treatment required to ease your pain or discomfort will depend largely on what’s causing the burning sensation when you poop. Stool softeners and other over-the-counter treatments, such as hydrocortisone or ibuprofen, are generally used.
More serious conditions, such as cancer and Crohn’s disease, will require medical treatment.
Following the tips below may alleviate the diarrhea or constipation that may be the main cause of your painful bowel movements:
Eating a balanced diet
Reducing stress
Getting into a rhythm with your bowel movements (for example, going at the same time each day)
Keeping regular mealtimes
Increasing your fiber intake
Increasing your water intake
Avoiding foods that you’re allergic to
Incorporating regular exercise into your routine
Taking a probiotic supplement
Getting enough rest
How to Prevent Painful Bowel Movements
Build good bowel habits
Developing bowel habits that will make it easier to pass a stool can prevent conditions like constipation, diarrhea, anal fissures, and hemorrhoids.
You can avoid discomfort if you:
Eat balanced meals at the same time each day
Limit caffeine and artificial sweeteners
Stay hydrated
Consume both soluble and insoluble fiber
Try to "go" at the same time every day — make it a priority
Use the correct posture to poop (invest in a poop stool)
Avoid laxatives wherever possible
Key Point: Soluble vs. Insoluble Fiber
Soluble fiber dissolves, while insoluble fiber does not. Your digestive system requires both to function optimally.
Soluble fiber: This is found in nuts, seeds, oat bran, and certain fruits and vegetables. Soluble fiber helps lower cholesterol and glucose levels.
Insoluble fiber: This is found in beans, berries, and vegetables like carrots and cauliflower. Because insoluble fiber does not dissolve, it bulks up the stool and draws water into it, allowing it to pass more easily through the digestive tract.
Stay hydrated
You need to drink around eight glasses of water each day to stay hydrated and avoid constipation.
However, if you do not include insoluble fiber in your diet, your stool won’t be able to hold the water you drink. Therefore it’s important to be mindful of your fiber and water intake to avoid painful bowel movements.
Enjoy a balanced diet
Eating a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats can improve your digestive health by:
Regulating your hormones
Strengthening your immune system
Reducing the effects of stress
Making it easier to pass a stool
Prioritize digestive health
Prevention is better than cure, and it’s important to look at the whole picture if you want to build a robust digestive system.
By making a real effort to prioritize your gut health, you can avoid the issues that stem from digestive disorders, such as chronic diarrhea and constipation, and general discomfort when you poop.
A few things you can do to make your digestive health a priority include:
Consuming fewer calories
Cutting back on sugar, caffeine, greasy foods, and alcohol
Consuming more fermented foods
Managing stress
Exercising regularly
Allowing for changes to your routine, especially when you’re traveling
Allowing yourself enough time to have a comfortable bowel movement
Have a sitz bath
A sitz bath is a deeply soothing treatment that involves soaking the rectal area in a warm bath — with or without salt — for ten to twenty minutes each day.
Some benefits of sitz baths include:
Relieving pain and itching
Reducing inflammation and discomfort
Improving hygiene
Improving blood flow, which, in turn, promotes healing (great for hemorrhoids and anal fissures)
When Should I See a Doctor?
A burning sensation when you poop could be caused by nothing more than the hot wings you had the night before, but it could also indicate a bowel disorder or a more serious underlying condition.
If your painful bowel movements persist and you experience one or more of the following, seek professional medical advice:
Abnormal anal growths (lumps or bumps)
Chronic or severe constipation
Anal discharge or bleeding
Unexplained weight loss
An itchy, irritating, or painful sensation in or around the anus
Bloody or black stools
Diarrhea lasting three or more days
Severe stomach cramps
Any significant changes in bowel movements
Symptoms that worsen or don’t improve with treatment
Even if you don’t display any of the serious symptoms listed above, it may be worth visiting a doctor anyway to learn more about digestive health and how to prevent future discomfort when you poop.
Where Can I Learn More about Bowel Movements and Bowel Health?
Do you experience painful bowel movements? Is passing a stool something you dread?
Whether you’re dealing with diarrhea, constipation, bleeding hemorrhoids, or something more serious — like inflammatory bowel disease — you can get treatment and management advice. Schedule a video appointment, and meet with a board-certified doctor or nurse practitioner from the comfort of your home.
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