Proctalgia fugax is anal pain with no specific cause. It occurs from intense muscle spasms in or around the canal of the anus. It can be severe enough to impact your day-to-day life.
Anyone can experience proctalgia fugax. But it doesn’t usually affect anyone prior to the start of puberty and seems to affect more women than men, according to one
The symptoms of proctalgia fugax are:
- muscle spasms in or around the lower rectum area or in or around the canal of the anus
- pain that happens suddenly and usually without warning
- pain that lasts for only a few seconds, although it can last up to 30 minutes in some cases
These episodes may be severe enough to keep you home from work. They may limit your other activities until the episode is over.
The pain will usually stop on its own. People with proctalgia fugax don’t have any anal pain between spasms. There can be long periods of time between spasms.
The pain or spasms that occur at night may be painful enough to wake you from sleep. They can also occur during the day.
Proctalgia fugax isn’t known to have specific triggers. But a
Other possible triggers may be:
- sexual activity
- menstruation
- constipation
- defecation
- stress
Despite some evidence that there are some possible triggers like those listed above, it’s also common for proctalgia fugax to occur without anything triggering it.
Proctalgia fugax is normally diagnosed after other possible causes of anal pain and spasms have been ruled out. In order to rule out other conditions that may be causing the pain, your doctor may:
- conduct a physical exam
- ask questions about the pain severity, duration, etc.
- check for hemorrhoids, fissures, an abscess, and other diseases or conditions that might cause anal pain
Once other conditions have been ruled out as the cause of your pain, your doctor will be able to diagnose proctalgia fugax.
Anal pain is classified according to three types. Each of the three types has unique characteristics.
Proctalgia fugax: As described above, this type is characterized by intermittent pains in the rectum that can last up to 30 minutes.
Levator ani syndrome: This type features pain or tenderness in the pelvic area and rectum that’s more lasting and may result in discomfort sitting for long periods. People with this condition experience pain in the rectum during a digital rectal exam.
Unspecified functional anorectal pain: This type features pain or tenderness in the pelvic area and rectum similar to levator ani syndrome, but no pain during a digital rectal exam.
There are several treatment options, but getting relief from the symptoms is different for each person. Since there isn’t a specific cause, treatment focuses on managing the symptoms. If a trigger has been identified, then that trigger should also be managed.
At-home treatments
Home treatments focus on relieving the pain from the spasms. Options include:
- warm baths or sitz baths
- relaxation techniques
- over-the-counter pain medications
- ointments prescribed by a doctor, like glyceryl trinitrate or topical diltiazem
Injections
If your spasms are severe, you may be a candidate for Botox injections in the area.
Electrical stimulation
This treatment works by the use of a probe inserted into the anus that carries electric stimulation. This can help to block the transmission of pain signals to the brain.
Biofeedback
This treatment uses attached electrodes to guide you in feeling what happens when the pelvic floor is tensed and relaxed. It can help you learn how to relax the pelvic floor muscles to relieve discomfort.
While proctalgia fugax doesn’t have a specific cause, there are some conditions that may be associated or that commonly occur at the same time. Some of these include menstruation and constipation.
Many times, an episode of these painful anal spasms can be associated with psychological issues like anxiety, depression, or stress.
Other conditions that may have an association with proctalgia fugax are anal fissures and abscesses, as well as rectal cancer.
If you have anal pain of any kind, it’s important that you discuss it with a medical professional. This pain can be a symptom of a disease or condition that needs to be addressed.
But if no other condition or disease is found to be causing the pain, and you’re diagnosed with proctalgia fugax, there are treatments that can help manage the episodes.
If the pain and spasms seem to be related to times when you have an increase in stress or feel depressed, counseling or therapy may be recommended.