A digital rectal exam, which may be painful, may be needed if a definitive diagnosis of anal fissures cannot be made based on a patient’s history. 1 Anoscopy, which also may be painful, can be used to ...

Painful bowel movements can happen for many different reasons—some are temporary and harmless, while others may signal an underlying health issue. Sometimes the explanation can be straightforward, ...

Many people dismiss straining during bowel movements as a minor inconvenience, but this habit can lead to serious health complications. Regular difficulty passing stools or exerting excessive effort ...