What does an anal fissure feel like

Sharp pain during a bowel movement can catch people off guard. Some describe it as a tearing or cutting feeling that lingers long after they leave the bathroom. When that pain repeats, especially with bright red blood on the toilet paper, it often points to one specific condition: an anal fissure.

An anal fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anal canal. It may be small, but the discomfort can feel intense. Many people in Glendale, CA quietly live with these symptoms for weeks because they assume it is just hemorrhoids or temporary irritation.

Understanding what an anal fissure feels like, why it happens, and how it differs from other rectal pain is the first step toward relief. The challenge is that symptoms overlap with other anorectal conditions, which makes self-diagnosis unreliable.

Why People Struggle

• Sharp rectal pain is often mistaken for hemorrhoids without a proper exam.
• Constipation and hard stools continue to reopen the tear, preventing healing.
• Stress can also affect digestion and trigger constipation or diarrhea that makes fissure pain harder to manage, so read stress and anal fissures for practical ways to find relief.
• Muscle spasms in the anal sphincter increase pain and reduce blood flow to the area.
• Embarrassment delays medical care, even when symptoms persist for weeks.
• Over-the-counter creams are used without knowing whether they treat the correct problem.

In this article, you’ll learn how to avoid these pitfalls and make informed choices.

What an Anal Fissure Typically Feels Like

The most common symptom is sharp pain during a bowel movement. Many patients describe it as passing broken glass or feeling a sudden tearing sensation. The discomfort can last minutes or even hours afterward. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, anal fissures often cause pain and bleeding with bowel movements.

Bleeding is usually bright red and appears on toilet paper or in the bowl. Unlike bleeding from higher in the digestive tract, fissure-related bleeding tends to be small in amount and clearly linked to straining.

Another common feature is a tight, throbbing feeling after a bowel movement. This happens because the internal anal sphincter muscle can go into spasm. The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons explains that this muscle spasm reduces blood flow to the area, which slows healing and increases discomfort.

Some people also notice itching or irritation around the anus. If the fissure becomes chronic, a small skin tag may develop near the tear. The pain, however, remains the most defining symptom.

If you are still unsure whether your symptoms match, review the warning signs of anal fissures to compare what you are feeling with the most common red flags.

A Common Mistake: Assuming It Is Just Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids and anal fissures can both cause rectal bleeding, but they feel different. Hemorrhoids often create pressure, fullness, or itching. Fissures are more likely to cause sharp, cutting pain with each bowel movement.

The confusion happens because both conditions affect the same area and may occur together. Without an examination, it is difficult to tell the difference. Treating a fissure as if it were only a hemorrhoid can delay healing, especially if constipation is not addressed.

A more effective approach focuses on reducing strain and allowing the tear to heal. Increasing dietary fiber, drinking adequate water, and using stool softeners when needed can reduce pressure during bowel movements. Warm sitz baths may help relax the sphincter muscle. In persistent cases, prescription medications or minor procedures may be recommended to improve blood flow and reduce muscle spasm.

For a deeper look at diagnosis and care options, see our anal fissure treatment page.

What Happens When It Is Properly Treated

Acute anal fissures often heal within a few weeks when bowel habits improve and irritation is minimized. Pain becomes less intense, bleeding stops, and bowel movements feel manageable again.

Chronic fissures, which last longer than six weeks, may require medical therapy. When treated appropriately, most patients experience significant relief and avoid long-term complications. Early evaluation also helps rule out other causes of rectal pain, including infections or inflammatory conditions.

For residents of Glendale, CA, timely care can prevent a short-term tear from turning into a long-term source of discomfort.

FAQs

How long does anal fissure pain last after a bowel movement?

Pain can last from a few minutes to several hours. Ongoing pain after the bowel movement is often due to muscle spasm in the anal sphincter.

Can an anal fissure heal on its own?

Many acute fissures heal with improved bowel habits, adequate fiber intake, and reduced straining. Chronic fissures may require prescription treatment.

Is bleeding from an anal fissure dangerous?

Bleeding is usually small in amount and bright red. While it is often not dangerous, any persistent rectal bleeding should be evaluated by a medical professional.

When should I see a doctor for rectal pain?

If pain is severe, lasts more than a few weeks, or is accompanied by ongoing bleeding, medical evaluation is recommended to confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment. If you have heavy bleeding, fever, swelling, or drainage, review when to seek emergency care for anal fissures to know what requires urgent attention.

For help with what does an anal fissure feel like in Glendale, CA, contact Armen Gregorian, MD at (818) 847-7067.