When you feel a sharp, burning pain during or after a bowel movement, it’s often not just bad luck—it’s likely an anal fissure, a small tear in the lining of the anus that causes pain and sometimes bleeding. Also known as an anal裂伤, it’s more common than most people admit, especially if you struggle with constipation, diarrhea, or have recently given birth. This isn’t something you just ‘get over.’ Left untreated, it can turn chronic and make every bathroom trip a nightmare.
Most anal fissures happen because of hard stools that stretch and tear the sensitive tissue. But it’s not just about being constipated. Tight anal sphincter muscles, inflammatory bowel disease, or even childbirth can trigger it. You might notice bright red blood on toilet paper or in the bowl, and the pain can linger for hours. It’s easy to confuse with hemorrhoids, swollen veins in the rectum or anus that cause itching, swelling, or bleeding, but the pain from a fissure is sharper and more localized. And while hemorrhoids often feel like a lump, a fissure feels like a cut that won’t heal.
What helps? Simple changes often do the trick. Drinking more water, eating fiber-rich foods like oats, beans, and apples, and using stool softeners can keep things moving smoothly. Sitting in warm water for 10–15 minutes after a bowel movement helps relax the muscles and speed healing. If that doesn’t work, doctors may prescribe topical nitroglycerin or Botox to relax the sphincter. In rare cases, a minor surgery called a lateral internal sphincterotomy is needed—but most people heal without it.
You’ll find posts here that cover everything from how anal fissure links to chronic constipation, to what over-the-counter creams actually work, and why some people heal faster than others. We’ve got real advice on diet tweaks that help, how to tell if it’s something worse, and what to do when home remedies fail. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what you need to feel better.
Written by Mark O'Neill
Anal fissures cause sharp pain during bowel movements but often heal with diet and simple home care. Learn what triggers them, how to treat them with proven methods, and when to see a doctor.