By clothing-bag, 21/12/2022

6 Anal Problems You Shouldn't Hide From Your Doctor

Sometimes people tell their problems in more detail than you would like to know. However, when it comes to anal health, many prefer to keep it a secret. Luckily, things are changing little by little and doctors are beginning to notice that more people dare to tell them about these types of issues.Six anal problems you shouldn't hide from your doctor Six anal problems you shouldn't hide from your doctor

Dr. Rachel Ward says her patients are feeling less and less uncomfortable discussing their anal intestinal transit problems, but there is still a lot to be done.

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“Medical professionals have worked hard to explain to our patients that bleeding from the anus can be a serious problem that we have to check just in case,” he says.

“Every day we study different parts of the body of our patients and it seems the same to examine a hand, a knee or an anus. We do all of these tests with respect and consent.”

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There are a whole host of problems that can affect this small area of ​​the body. The most frequent symptoms are bleeding, itching, pain, lumps and secretions. Although many times they can be due to minor problems, they can also be indicative of problems as serious as cancer.

Here are the six most common problems Dr. Ward encounters in her practice and how they are treated:

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1. Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids (popularly known as piles) are the most frequent problem in this part of the body. They are "swollen veins in the anus that can cause bleeding, itching and discomfort," Ward lists.

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If you notice uncomfortable lumps in or around your anus, they may be hemorrhoids. Other symptoms are bleeding after defecating, itching, a feeling of not having emptied yourself and mucus in the stool.

In some cases, your doctor will be able to diagnose you over the phone. At other times, he will have to see you in person. Either way, it's nothing a doctor hasn't seen hundreds of times already.

Six anal problems you shouldn't hide from your doctor

"Hemorrhoids can often be treated with suppositories and creams," Ward explains, "but sometimes a little surgery is necessary."

2. Anal fissures

An anal fissure is a break in the skin of the anus that causes bleeding and pain, especially when having a bowel movement. If it happens to you, you may notice a sharp pain when you push and a burning sensation for minutes or hours. In these cases, when cleaning yourself, it is common to find blood on the paper.

The symptoms are so specific that it's usually an easy diagnosis without having to drop your pants, but sometimes you need to be sure. If this is the case, all the doctor will do is put on a glove and stick a finger in to check for cuts.

“One way to treat it is to make the stool softer (even if you need to take a laxative) and apply special creams to the wound,” Ward explains. "If it doesn't heal with the conservative approach, surgery may be needed."

Those who suffer from anal fissures should modify certain aspects of their diet to soften the stool, since often these fissures are caused by constipation with hard stools. If this is your case, eat more fiber, drink more fluids and exercise regularly.

3. Skin problems

Just as you can get skin problems on your face, arms, legs, or trunk, they can also appear in or around your anus, causing itching, dryness, and other discomfort.

“There is a disease called lichen sclerosus that causes white patches that itch and sting. It can also appear on the penis and vulva,” Ward explains.

This disease affects people of all ages, whether they are children or the elderly, but women over 50 tend to get it more often. Unfortunately, there is no cure, but it can be treated with steroid creams. People with this skin problem often use emollients to replace ordinary soap, apply cream regularly to affected areas, wear cotton underwear, and use lubricant if it hurts during sex.

“The appearance is very distinctive, but the diagnosis is confirmed with a skin biopsy,” Ward explains. "Lichen sclerosus also increases the risk of penile or vulvar cancer, so it requires annual checkups."

Canker sores can also appear around the anus, causing itching, stinging, redness or even cracks. They can be treated with pharmacy creams, but keep in mind that these creams can weaken the latex in condoms and diaphragms.

This problem usually goes away on its own, but if you find it recurring, see your doctor, as it may be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as diabetes.

4. Worms

Another cause of anal itching, especially at night, is the proliferation of worms. Their appearance is usually white and can be detected in feces.

This problem can spread to everyone in the household, so if you think you've seen one in your stool, Dr. Ward recommends going to the pharmacy.

“To minimize the spread of these worms, wash your hands with soap and wash your sheets and towels in hot, soapy water,” Ward explains.

5. Anal cancer

This disease can be difficult to diagnose because it shares symptoms with many other minor anal problems: itching, bleeding, discomfort, incontinence, discharge...

If you have any of these symptoms and they don't go away over time, see your doctor for specific tests. "Anal problems should always be discussed with your doctor so they can be looked into and followed up if they suspect it may be cancer," warns Ward.

The main treatment for this type of cancer is a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy, but some patients only receive one type and others require surgery. Although it is still a fairly rare disease, the incidence has grown in recent decades, especially among women.

6. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Like other relationships, unprotected anal sex can lead to sexually transmitted infections.

Chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis, herpes, hepatitis B, warts... All these diseases can be transmitted through anal sex. “These infections may not cause many symptoms at first, no discharge or skin changes. That's why it's so important to practice safe sex and get tested for STIs,” Ward says.

If you have any of these infections, you may experience discomfort or less pleasure during sex.

If you need to take medication for any of these infections, ask your doctor if you can continue to have anal sex during treatment. "And if he lets you, use non-irritating lubricant and a condom to protect the anus."

This article was originally published on HuffPost United States and has been translated from English by Daniel Templeman Sauco.

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Natasha Hinde

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