The most common cause is large or hard stools because of constipation. A fissure may also be caused by severe diarrhea, anal sex, vaginal childbirth, or an object inserted into the anus.
A person is more at Risk for an anal fissure if they have any of the below:
- Constipation that makes strain to pass hard stool
- A low-fiber diet
- A lot of diarrhea
- Recent weight loss surgery, if it leads to frequent diarrhea
- Vaginal childbirth
- Minor injury, such as from mountain biking
- Any inflammatory condition of the anal area
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Infection or HIV
- Surgery
- Other medical Treatments that affect bowel movements or the anus
An anal fissure is one of the most common Causes of anal pain and bleeding. Symptoms can occur a bit differently in each person.
They can include:
- Pain during and after a bowel movement that can last for hours
- Visible tear or cut in the area
- Bright red bleeding during or after a bowel movement
The Symptoms of an anal fissure may be like other health conditions.
Pain from the fissure can cause muscle spasm in the anal sphincter muscle. This can make it hard for the fissure to heal. The spasm can also cause more tearing during bowel movements. This cycle can lead to a chronic anal fissure in many people.
Other Complications can include:
- Ongoing pain and discomfort
- Trouble having bowel movements
- Not having bowel movements because of the pain
- Reduced quality of life
- The fissure coming back after Treatment
- Pus-filled infection (abscess)
- Uncontrolled bowel movements and gas
