My girlfriend has been experiencing pain for the last 6 months, on and off, when she has a BM. She complains of blood appearing in the toilet and on the toilet paper- bright red. She says it feels like razor blades when she goes and wants to cry. Lately it has been getting worse and she does NOT want to go to the doctors to have someone look there- I guess I don't blame her. She is afraid to go now and I really feel bad for her.
It is way too painful for me to put a finger in there and cringes about the thoughts of anal sex. She thinks it is rediculous how bad it hurts and I have been really supportive. What is going on with her bum? Is it a serious problem or can she just change her diet or buy some cream? Please help, she's a wonderful girl and we want to forget all about this problem. Thanks.

Bright red blood is generally a sign of local bleeding and therefore not a major problem but any bleeding should be checked out by a doctor. She probably has an anal fissure which is a crack or wound that needs healing. You can get over the counter creams which soothe the pain somewhat eg Anusol. Anal sex might have given her the problem in the first place. Avoid it for now and putting fingers up her bum. Common problem and she should not be afraid to go to the doctor. The other possibility is a bleeding hemorrhoid and again the cream will help. With the anal fissure she might need to adjust her diet or at least get plenty of water into her system to avoid constipation at any cost which can aggravate the fissure or the hemorrhoid.

A colon & rectal doctor can diagnose an anal fissure just by the symptoms. Often they don't do an examination because the area is so sensitive. The use of the term “razor blades” makes it 90% likely she has an anal fissure. Most likely a doctor will advise that it is important that she start applying a new medicine (0.2% or 0.3% nifedipine) immediately before the anal fissure (if that is diagnosed) becomes chronic. If the doctor is not familiar with the use of nifedipine for AFs refer him to November 2002 Diseases of the Colon & Rectum at page 1468 (95% cure rate). Once an AF becomes chronic it is much more difficult to heal and then surgery becomes an option. Also, check out the analfissure group on yahoo and the anal fissure self help page at http://boardsailor.com/jack/af/#ModHistory.

Anal sex is not something to be thinking of at this time although it is not a bad thing like the other posters try to make it out to be. For now she needs to get started with metamucil several times per day and increase her water intake to help with the constipation. She also does need to see the doc to find out what is causing her rectal bleeding be it hemorrhoids, fissure or tears. There is nothing to be embarrassed or afraid of with seeing the doc as he has seen it all and heard it all many times before and this what he went to school for. He went to school to help treat problems be it rectal problems or headache problems. He sees every body part imaginable during his daily patients so tell your girlfriend to go in and get checked so that she can get on with her life. In the meantime no anal anything regarding sex until she gets this taken care of.

I said it would hurt her to do that, I didn't say I have or did do that. I am just stressin the severity of how bad it hurts her, and she said it would kill her if i even put a finger in there. Please read it a little more carefully before judging my girlfriend and I.

As Posted>>It is way too painful for me to put a finger in there and cringes about the thoughts of anal sex. She thinks it is rediculous how bad it hurts and I have been really supportive<<

Oh, I'm sorry. I thought I read that right.
Which part was misinterpreted?
As for anal sex, well, to each their own and if some people have a strong reaction to it then I suppose
those people might be the wrong group to give unbiased opinions.
Accurate advice might be better given by those who engage in the practice because I might be all confused about the whole process.
Best to take the advice of those who travel down that road and know the territory better than I.
Forget what I said. I probably don't have a clue.
kat

It sound like a bad hemorrhoid and they can really cause alot of pain. A thrombosed roid can be excruciatingly painful. My son thought that you can't have that much pain without being half dead.

I suggest you see a co-rectal surgeon ASAP.

I wish ya'll well--- Harry

[This message has been edited by Harry (edited 04-20-2003).]

I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I thought that was the purpose of these boards. The post read just like I took it I think another people felt the same way. I guess this post will be deleted like my others were also. Kat your are too kind.

Hi,

As well as the above obvious reasons as to the pain and bleeding (fissure, hemorrhoids), it could also be the first symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis or Crohns or fistulas.

Bright red blood can also be a symptom of bleeding in the lower bowel from UC. BUT, if she is only having one bowel movement a day and not diarrhea, it probably isn't that.

Fibre will bulk up her stool making it easier to pass, Metamucil works great -- but she has to drink lots of water or she will become constipated which will make her problem worse.

I agree with Knewbie, that if it is an anal fissure, and not dealt with, the probability of it getting infected would be easier and the next step of treatment is far more worse than the original.

I would also suggest that after every bowel movement, your girlfriend wash well afterward. I don't mean with wet toilet paper.....unless it's dabbed and very wet. A hand shower works great.
The reason is that the possibility of stool left in the fissure or injured area can be the perfect breeding ground for infection. She can also try a sitz bath in warm water after a bowel movement before applying any cream medication.

The best is to see her doctor -- I have ulcerative colitis and hemorhoids, so I can relate to being uncomfortable. But that feeling will quickly pass once she knows what's happening. If it is a tear or fissure that has gone beyond easy treatment, yes, the next option would be a colorectal surgeon.

Just suggest to her that those who have "been there" know what can happen if it's left untreated. She has to get smart about it because once she has it, it will probably be a weak area and the tendency for it to happen will be compounded.

We only have one (some get used more than others -- for various reasons), and there ain't no anus transplants that I know of yet!!

quincy

Get to the doc. You could have anal fissures which are basically cuts in rectum. Increase fiber now. She is certainly worth not being in pain and deserves treatment for herself. Tell her to be good to her body as it is only one she has. TAke care of it now before it is later on because things could get worse and you do not want that for her.

Signed, Mom (just kidding)