What can cause anal pain?
Anal pain can have a number of causes, so pain does not necessarily mean that you have haemorrhoids.
Two common causes are anal fissures and haemorrhoids. An anal fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anus, while haemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels and supporting tissue in or around the anus.
There are also different types of haemorrhoids, and the symptoms you experience can vary depending on whether they are internal, prolapsed or external.
Anal fissure pain vs haemorrhoid pain
The type of pain you experience can sometimes provide an indication of its cause, although symptoms can overlap.
Anal fissures commonly cause a sharp pain when passing a stool, followed by a burning pain that can continue afterwards. Some people also notice a small amount of bright red blood.
Haemorrhoid pain can feel different. Internal haemorrhoids do not always cause pain, as they develop higher inside the anal canal. However, haemorrhoids can cause symptoms including bleeding, itching, pressure, swelling and a dull ache, particularly if an internal haemorrhoid prolapses.
You can learn more about the difference between internal and external haemorrhoids and the symptoms associated with each type.
Why can thrombosed haemorrhoids be painful?
Both internal and external haemorrhoids can be thrombosed. This is where a blood clot develops inside the haemorrhoid, causing it to stretch and place pressure on the sensitive tissue around the anus.
A thrombosed haemorrhoid also increases swelling, making the haemorrhoid feel more painful.
When should you get anal pain checked?
It can be tempting to assume that anal pain is caused by piles, particularly if you have experienced haemorrhoids before. However, there are several potential causes of anal pain and it is important not to rely on self-diagnosis.
Speak to a healthcare professional if your pain is severe, persistent, getting worse or you are concerned about your symptoms. You should also seek medical advice if you experience unexplained or persistent bleeding, or other new symptoms alongside the pain.
Getting an appropriate assessment can help identify the cause and determine what treatment, if any, may be suitable.
What if haemorrhoids are causing the pain?
If your symptoms are caused by haemorrhoids, treatment will depend on the type and severity of the haemorrhoids.
Some symptoms may improve with lifestyle changes or over-the-counter treatments, while other cases may benefit from medical treatment. You can explore the different haemorrhoid treatment options available.
eXroid provides a non-surgical electrotherapy treatment specifically for internal haemorrhoids. The procedure does not require cutting, stitching, sedation or anaesthetic and is designed to reduce the blood supply to the haemorrhoid so that it shrinks.
Find out more about the eXroid haemorrhoid treatment.
Talk to us about your symptoms
If you are unsure whether your symptoms could be related to haemorrhoids, our Patient Services team can talk through what you are experiencing and help you understand the appropriate next step.
Where haemorrhoids may be causing your symptoms, we can assess you, explain the different treatment options and advise on the next step. eXroid is the haemorrhoid treatment we provide in our clinics. If your symptoms suggest another cause, we can help direct you towards the most appropriate healthcare pathway.
Contact the eXroid team to discuss your symptoms and next steps.
