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Anal pain

Anal pain (pain in the bottom) is common. There are things you can do to ease it, but see a GP if you're in a lot of pain or it does not get better.

Common causes of anal pain

Anal pain has many different causes including constipation and piles but there are lots of possible causes.

Do not try to diagnose the cause of pain yourself.

Possible causes of anal pain
Symptoms Possible cause

Pooing less than normal for you, or feeling like you have not fully emptied your bowels. Hard poo and pain when pooing.

Constipation

Itchy anus, feeling a lump around the anus, blood on the paper after wiping

Piles (haemorrhoids)

Sharp pain when pooing, burning pain after doing a poo and blood on the paper after wiping

Anal fissures

Constant throbbing pain, pus and blood on the paper after wiping, high temperature

Anal fistulas and abscesses

How you can ease or prevent anal pain

Do

  • drink lots of fluid and get more fibre into your diet to keep your poo soft

  • exercise regularly

  • wipe your bottom with damp toilet paper

  • take paracetamol

  • take a warm bath to ease itching and pain

  • put an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) in a towel on the painful area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours

Don’t

  • do not scratch around your anus

  • do not ignore the urge to poo

  • do not push too hard when pooing

  • do not use fragranced products, such as shower gels or soaps around your anus

  • do not eat spicy food or drink alcohol and caffeine

  • do not lift or carry anything heavy

A pharmacist can help with anal pain

A pharmacist can recommend medicines to reduce constipation and anal pain such as:

  • painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol
  • creams or suppositories (medicines you put into your bottom) to ease itching, pain and swelling
  • medicines that help make it easier to poo (laxatives)

Many pharmacies have private areas if you do not want to be overheard.

Find a pharmacy

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

  • your anal pain is severe
  • the pain does not improve after a few days
  • you have blood in your poo or bleeding from your bottom

Do not feel embarrassed to see a GP. Anal pain is a common problem that they're used to treating.

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

  • you have severe anal pain and you have a high temperature, or feel hot, cold or shivery
  • your poo is black or dark red

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Immediate action required: Go to A&E or call 999 if:

  • you're bleeding non-stop from your bottom
  • there is a lot of blood coming from your bottom – for example, the toilet water turns red or you see large blood clots
Find your nearest A&E

Treatment for anal pain

Treatment for anal pain depends on what's causing it.

A GP will examine you and may prescribe:

  • a cream or ointment to ease your pain
  • laxatives to help you poo more easily
  • antibiotics if you have an infection

The GP may also recommend changes to your diet or arrange for tests to look for a cause of the anal pain.

Sometimes surgery or other treatments may be needed if the pain is caused by severe anal fissures, piles or fistulas.

Page last reviewed: 27 October 2025
Next review due: 27 October 2028