Bum problems

[breathe]

Hi there, So this might sound goofy and sort of graphic but please let me know your opinions/answers:

So I've posted about my digestion issues/IBS and anal sex-related things before.

I have an appointment set up with my family doctor about this, but I wanted to ask here.

The past year I had chronic diarrhea and IBS-type digestion problems. We are still trying to sort out if they are foods that are causing the problem more specifically, or, if IBS is the problem. But this was nothing new and has been going on for two years or so now, and in some forms, much longer.

However, the past year I find diarrhea to be a very common problem. I rarely have a normally formed bowel movement. Sometimes I have constipation instead. The constant diarrhea/loose stools thing is new, and all results have come back normal. My anal area is constantly irritated or inflamed, and it feels like I have a small improperly healed fissure at the front of my anus that causes blood on the toilet paper sometimes and seems to always re-split after healing.

The past year I had a boyfriend who was very well endowed, and most of the time, I bottomed for him. He was large and I always felt like I was very good at relaxing my ass so that I could bottom for him. I surprised even myself at how little "warming up" I needed before each session with him.

Now I am worried that maybe that caused some of my problems I am facing these days. I realize that I never really feel the need to "go" until I have to go very badly. I never notice I have to go to the bathroom for a #2 unless it's a strong urge. I sometimes feel like maybe I'm subconsciously holding it in because I know of the irritation I will feel when I wipe afterwards. But to be honest, I just feel like I never have normal bowel movements to begin with, it's always urgent. But when I do have a normally formed bowel movement, it's when I only have a slight sense I need to, and I make myself go to the bathroom. (As holding it in seems to result in diarrhea.

Is it possible that anal sex is to blame? Would damage to my internal sphincter relate to my reduced "urge to go" and have reduced the sense of when I need to go to the bathroom? Because I know people tend to get diarrhea when they hold in a bowel movement too long, and I feel like that is happening to me without me even realizing it.

Please be honest and let me know if there could be a relation. Because although I have IBS symptoms, I feel like maybe my sense of "when I need to do a #2" has been reduced and I only feel it when it's urgent. I hope that's not the case, and I'd love to sort out the anal irritation because it makes me feel very unsexual all the time apart from topping. Sigh.

Thanks

 

[KaraBulut]

Given the length of time this has been going on, it's more likely that you have a primary inflammatory process that involves the bowel. It will probably take some lab work and a colonoscopy to determine what is going on.

Anal sex would not account for issues that you have described.

 

[breathe]

So damage in the rectal area wouldn't cause me to lose my sense of "needing to go"?

 

[Namebirthdate]

I think damage to the rectal area would have little to do with that. Outside of physiological constipation, when you have to go, you know it. However, there will certainly be a reluctance to initiate a BM if you have a history of pain/irritation during the process.

The fissure you mentioned is most likely an external hemorrhoid. Don't be scared, they happen. It will eventually lose prominence. You mentioned frequent constipation, which is one of the most common factors involving hemorrhoids. Read up on "diverticulitis".

I would say that perhaps your not ingesting enough fiber, which would cause constipation, but you mentioned loose-liquid stool... In the future, be aware of how much water and fiber you are consuming, perhaps its deficient. The next time you are constipated for more than a day, try giving yourself an enema and see if that clears it out in the future.


If you have the knee strength, try squatting atop your toilet during a BM. The position gives a better angle and lessens pressure/force required to 'complete'. They have modifications for western toilets that will allow you to squat. If you can, standing on the seat and squatting works too. Squatting generally removes factors that cause hemmerhoids/irritation/BM pain.

Hope this advice helps!

 

[breathe]

That's helpful and encouraging .

I almost am never constipated. Almost always have loose stools or diarrhea. But if I do everything in my power to eat foods that will stop that from occurring, then I'm a bit constipated haha.

I am definitely familiar with the idea that when I get my referral, the gastro specialist could tell me it's just IBS, but I'm going to ask to be checked for Crohn's, etc., (and all those other problems) just to be sure.

I appreciate the response. And yeah, your comment about being reluctant to initiate a BM when aware that it's gonna cause issues... that's definitely me!

As for the external hemorrhoid... I think it's more likely a small tear, like a chronic fissure that can't quite heal or a leftover "sentinel pile" from a former hemorrhoid. But what puzzles me is how when I had a doctor at the men's clinic look at it, he simply told me that he could see nothing of the sort, except a tiny pin-hole-sized split but that it wasn't a fissure and that I needed to relax more and use more lube before bottoming in sex in the future. It wasn't helpful at all because the problem is still there and still gets irritated and leaves blood on the toilet paper. Sigh. Definitely not sexy, and not comfortable.

 

[Namebirthdate]

It's possible that when you went to the clinic, the hemorrhoid had "relaxed itself away"... If that makes sense. Hemorrhoids, with time, will often dissapear only to show up with stress to the area. If what you are referring to seems like actual flesh remaining, its possibly just a skin tag. I am not sure if skin tags commonly appear on the anus but ill assume its possible.

Hope the specialist offers you some peace of mind!

 

[breathe]

Thanks... I don't know how booked up specialists are but I hope I'm able to get an appointment within the next few weeks.

In the meantime I have a doctor's appointment to get the referral to a specialist/gastro doctor.

 

[NewStart]

HI Breate, Have you seen a gastro specialist? If you're in the US, UNC and Duke have some of the best specialist with a research center focused on IBS.

If it is indeed IBS, which they'll know if they rule out everything else, then it can be managed through a diet and excercise program. Go to this website: http://www.helpforibs.com/

It's a support forum for people with IBS, and has some great advice.

This is what worked for me: No dairy, reduced the intake of spicy food, no coffee and no red meat. I increase the intake of soluble fibre, so that's white bread and rice (yes, pure carb) and i almost spotted having bran/brown bread.

I no longer suffer from these symptoms. Other than coffee, i can have pretty much everything now. One other thing is that I changed my location.

Regarding anal sex and the symptoms you described, i don't think they are related, but you should be honest with you gp/gastro and discuss your concerns with him or her.

 

[breathe]

Thanks for the advice, NewStart... very helpful There are certain foods I have identified as triggers. I have now got a referral to a gastro specialist so in a few weeks I should be able to set up an appointment when I hear back from them . I'll keep things updated here.

As for the hemorrhoid problem... I still have to get that looked at. I was too embarrassed to mention it to my doctor last time, so I will go to the clinic in a couple days to have it looked at. Maybe they can prescribe me a more effective treatment? I will also try having warm baths more often, because I tend to not do that now but when I did before it helped.

EDIT: NewStart, back when you had IBS symptoms, would you mind telling me that your symptoms were? For me I don't really get pain, and although I do sometimes get an uncomfortable sensation of "fullness" or "heaviness" in my gut, generally my symptom (the troubling one, at least) is that I get severe diarrhea and everything I eat will go through me for a few days. Almost no other symptoms.

 

[MoltenRock III]

Remember, IBs tends to be a condition you are given by a process of elimination of other problems, which isn't helpful in many instances.