Anal Fissure: Causes, Treatments, and What You Need to Know
When you feel a sharp pain during or after a bowel movement, it’s often not just bad luck—it could be an anal fissure, a small tear in the lining of the anus that causes pain and sometimes bleeding. Also known as an anal ulcer, it’s more common than most people think, especially if you struggle with constipation or pass hard stools regularly. This isn’t something you just "get over." Left untreated, it can turn chronic, making every bathroom trip a nightmare.
Most anal fissures happen because of constipation, when stool becomes dry and large, forcing the anal canal to stretch beyond its limits. It’s not just about being "not regular." If you’re straining often, that’s your body’s signal something’s off. Other triggers include diarrhea, childbirth, or even anal sex. Some people confuse it with hemorrhoids, swollen veins around the anus that cause itching and swelling, not the same sharp, tearing pain. The key difference? Hemorrhoids often feel like a lump; a fissure feels like a cut that burns with every movement.
Healing an anal fissure isn’t about fancy drugs or surgery—at least not at first. Most heal on their own in a few weeks if you soften your stool. That means more water, more fiber (think oats, beans, apples), and maybe a simple stool softener like docusate. Sitting in warm water for 10-15 minutes after a bowel movement helps relax the muscle and speeds healing. If that doesn’t work, doctors may prescribe topical nitroglycerin or Botox to relax the sphincter. Surgery is rare and only for cases that last longer than 8 weeks.
You won’t find this in most brochures, but many men ignore the pain because they’re embarrassed. That’s a mistake. A persistent fissure can lead to complications like skin tags, infections, or even a fistula. And if you’re on long-term opioids or have Crohn’s disease, your risk goes up—those conditions show up in our posts too.
Below, you’ll find real guides on how medications affect bowel function, how to manage side effects from drugs that cause constipation, and what to do when pain lingers. No fluff. Just what works.
Anal Fissures: Painful Tears and How to Heal Them
Anal fissures are painful tears in the anal lining, often caused by constipation. Most heal with diet and sitz baths, but chronic cases need medication or surgery. Learn what works, what doesn’t, and how to break the pain cycle.
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