What is Anal Stricture
Anal stricture, also called anal stenosis, is a narrowing of the opening between the buttocks (anus). This condition makes bowel movements difficult or painful. Anal stricture can range from mild to severe.
What are the causes?
This condition may be caused by:
- Surgery involving the anal canal, such as hemorrhoidectomy.
- Abscesses or infections.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Injury to the anus.
- A tear or crack in the skin around the anus (anal fissure).
- Radiation therapy.
- An STD (sexually transmitted disease).
- Tuberculosis.
- Overuse of medicines that help you have a bowel movement (laxatives).
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition include:
- Pain and pressure during bowel movements.
- Bleeding during bowel movements.
- Trouble getting stool out.
- Constipation.
- Discomfort in the anus.
- Narrow stools.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition may be diagnosed based on:
- Your medical history.
- An exam of your anal canal. During the exam, your health care provider will feel the inside of your rectum.
- A test called an anorectal manometry. During this test a small balloon attached to a flexible tube is used to check how your anus is working.
How is this treated?
Treatment for this condition depends on the cause and severity of the condition. For mild to moderate stricture, nonsurgical treatments are usually successful. Treatments for this condition may involve:
- Diet changes. You may need to drink more fluid, eat more high-fiber foods, or take fiber supplements.
- Stool softeners.
- Techniques to stretch the opening of the anus (dilation techniques). These may be performed by a health care provider, or you may need to do them at home.
- Surgery.
This may be done in severe cases or if other treatments do not
help. Surgery may involve:
- Sphincterotomy. This is a surgery on a muscle in the anus.
- Anoplasty. This is a surgery to reconstruct the anus.
Follow these instructions at home:
Diet
- Make any diet changes that your health care provider recommends.
- Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
- Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
General instructions
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- Practice good hygiene to reduce your risk of infection.
- Follow instructions from your health care provider about how and when to perform any dilation techniques.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You have more pain or bleeding during bowel movements, even after treatment.
- You have trouble having a bowel movement.
- You are unable to have a bowel movement.
Get help right away if:
- You have a fever and your symptoms suddenly get worse.
- You have black stools.
