I have been experiencing severe pain in my rectal area that feels as though it is swollen and has narrowed the anal cavity. I have trouble sleeping at night due to this pain, and it usually occurs about 4-5 hours after I have a bowel movement, then subsides a little bit once I wake up. I am going to my PCP to get this checked out as soon as possible, and if he examines the area and finds hemroids I will ask him about a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. I am wondering if anyone here has had similar pain in their rectal area (more on the inside of the rectal opening that on the outside) and found out the cause was hemroids.

After my bowel movement today, I found somewhat darkish red blood on the toilet paper after I lightly wiped the area. I know that hemroids are swollen veins, so is it typical to find darker blood from hemroids? I am trying NOT to worry about this and will seek help quickly, but I am hoping that any information you can share will calm me down further!

Thank you in advance for your responses!!!

Hemorrhoids as you know are like varicose veins-- they are veins that have lost their elasticity and they can swell and really cause pain especially if it is a blood clot type(thrombosed).
The hemorrhoids that bleed freeer cause less pain.