If you’re experiencing pain when going to the toilet, you’re not alone – but you shouldn’t have to live with it. Painful bowel movements are a common issue and often linked to minor conditions like piles or fissures, but they can also point to something more serious. At The Midlands Bowel Clinic, we offer discreet, expert care to find the cause of your discomfort and help you feel better.
What does pain when opening your bowels feel like?
You might notice:
- A sharp or burning pain during or after passing stool
- A sensation of tearing, stinging or cramping
- Pain that lasts for minutes or even hours after using the toilet
- Bleeding on the toilet paper or in the bowl
- A feeling of incomplete emptying or needing to strain
Pain may come on suddenly or build gradually. It can be mild or severe and may affect your ability to go to the toilet confidently.
What causes painful bowel movements?
Common causes include:
- Anal fissures – small tears in the skin around the anus, often caused by passing hard stools or straining
- Haemorrhoids (piles) – swollen veins in the anal canal that can become painful, especially when inflamed or thrombosed
- Constipation – straining to pass stool can stretch or damage the sensitive anal lining
- Anal abscesses or infections – which can cause pressure, pain, and swelling
- Rectal or anal cancer – a rare but important cause of persistent pain
- Rectal prolapse – where part of the bowel slips out, causing pain and pressure
- Pelvic floor dysfunction – including muscle spasm or uncoordinated bowel movements
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – may cause pain during bowel movements due to rectal inflammation
Painful defaecation is often a sign of an underlying issue that can be treated – so don’t ignore it, especially if it’s recurring.
When should I see a specialist?
You should speak to a bowel consultant if you:
- Regularly feel pain when opening your bowels
- See blood or mucus in your stool
- Feel a lump or swelling around your anus
- Experience ongoing constipation or diarrhoea
- Have a change in your usual bowel habits
- Are losing weight or feel fatigued
- Have a personal or family history of bowel conditions or cancer
Prompt diagnosis can help you avoid complications – and ease your symptoms sooner.
How we investigate painful bowel movements
At The The Midlands Bowel Clinic, we carry out a gentle, thorough assessment in a private and supportive setting. Your consultant may recommend:
- Physical examination – including a digital rectal exam (gentle finger examination)
- Proctoscopy – a quick test to look inside the anal canal
- Colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy – to examine the rectum and colon
- Stool tests – for infection, inflammation, or hidden blood
- Blood tests – to check for anaemia or signs of inflammation
- Imaging – such as MRI or ultrasound if deeper structures need evaluation
We’ll explain every step of your assessment and prioritise your comfort.
Treatment options
Treatment will depend on the cause of your symptoms. We may offer:
- Topical creams or ointments – for fissures, piles or inflammation
- Stool softeners or laxatives – to ease constipation and reduce straining
- Dietary advice – to help improve fibre intake and hydration
- Minor procedures – for piles or persistent fissures
- Surgery – in cases of prolapse, abscesses or cancer
- Pelvic floor physiotherapy – if muscle dysfunction is contributing to pain
Our goal is to relieve your discomfort, restore healthy bowel habits, and support your long-term wellbeing.
Why choose The Midlands Bowel Clinic?
Our dedicated team of colorectal specialists offers expert care for all bowel-related symptoms, including unusual or unexplained changes in your stool. We provide fast access to high-quality investigations and personalised treatment in a calm, discreet environment.
Contact us
If going to the toilet is painful or difficult, don’t wait for it to get worse. Contact The Midlands Bowel Clinic today to arrange a consultation with one of our bowel specialists. We’re here to help you get back to comfortable, confident bowel movements.
