BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuProctitisInflammation - rectum; Rectal inflammationProctitis is an inflammation of the rectum. It can cause discomfort, bleeding, and the discharge of mucus or pus. Causes There are many causes of proctitis. They can be grouped as follows:Inflammatory bowel disease Autoimmune disease Harmful substances Non-sexually transmitted infection Sexually transmitted disease (STD) Proctitis caused by an STD is common in people who have anal intercourse. STDs that can cause proctitis include gonorrhea, herpes, chlamydia, and lymphogranuloma venereum.GonorrheaGonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI).Read Article Now Book Mark Article ChlamydiaChlamydia is an infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It is most often spread through sexual contact.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lymphogranuloma venereumLymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infections that are not sexually transmitted are less common than STD proctitis. One type of proctitis not from an STD is an infection in children that is caused by the same bacteria as strep throat.Autoimmune proctitis is linked to diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease. If the inflammation is in the rectum only, it may come and go or move upward into the large intestine.Ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitis is a condition in which the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum become inflamed. It is a form of inflammatory bowel ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Crohn diseaseCrohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Proctitis may also be caused by some medicines, radiotherapy to prostate or pelvis or inserting harmful substances into the rectum.RadiotherapyRadiation therapy uses high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risk factors include:Autoimmune disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease Autoimmune disordersAn autoimmune disorder occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. There are more than 80 autoimmune d...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article High-risk sexual practices, such as anal sex Symptoms Symptoms include:Bloody stools Bloody stoolsBlack or tarry stools with a foul smell are a sign of a problem in the upper digestive tract. It most often indicates that there is bleeding in the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Constipation ConstipationConstipation in infants and children means they have hard stools or have problems passing stools. A child may have pain while passing stools or may ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rectal bleeding Rectal discharge, pus Rectal pain or discomfort Tenesmus (pain with bowel movement)TenesmusTenesmus is the feeling that you need to pass stools, even though your bowels are already empty. It may involve straining, pain, and cramping....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Tests that may be used include:Exam of a stool sample Proctoscopy ProctoscopySigmoidoscopy is a procedure used to see inside the sigmoid colon and rectum. The sigmoid colon is the area of the large intestine nearest to the re...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rectal culture Rectal cultureRectal culture is a lab test to identify bacteria and other germs in the rectum that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and disease.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article SigmoidoscopySigmoidoscopySigmoidoscopy is a procedure used to see inside the sigmoid colon and rectum. The sigmoid colon is the area of the large intestine nearest to the re...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Most of the time, proctitis will go away when the cause of the problem is treated. Antibiotics are used if an infection is causing the problem. Corticosteroids or mesalamine suppositories or enemas may relieve symptoms for some people. Outlook (Prognosis) The outcome is good with treatment. Possible Complications Complications may include: Anal fistula Anemia AnemiaAnemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Different type...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Recto-vaginal fistula (women) FistulaA fistula is an abnormal connection between two body parts, such as an organ or blood vessel and another structure. Fistulas are usually the result ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Severe bleeding When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of proctitis. Prevention Safe sex practices may help prevent the spread of the disease.Open ReferencesReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention website. 2021 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines. www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/proctitis.htm. Reviewed July 22, 2021. Accessed July 18, 2023.Coates WC. Anorectum. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 82.Downs JM, Kulow B. Anal diseases. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 129.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Proctitis. www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/proctitis/all-content. Updated December 2021. Accessed July 18, 2023.AllVideoImagesTogDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationRectum - illustration The rectum is the final portion of the large intestine. It empties stool from the body through the anus. RectumillustrationDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationRectum - illustration The rectum is the final portion of the large intestine. It empties stool from the body through the anus. RectumillustrationRelated Information Chlamydia(Condition)Lymphogranuloma venereum(Condition)Amebiasis(Condition)Strep throat(Condition)Ulcerative colitis(Condition)Crohn disease(Condition)Radiation therapy(Special Topic)Autoimmune disorders(Condition)Anemia(Condition)Fistula(Special Topic)Ulcerative colitis - InDepth(In-Depth)Crohn disease - InDepth(In-Depth)Anemia - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 5/2/2023 Reviewed By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. 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ProctitisInflammation - rectum; Rectal inflammationProctitis is an inflammation of the rectum. It can cause discomfort, bleeding, and the discharge of mucus or pus. Causes There are many causes of proctitis. They can be grouped as follows:Inflammatory bowel disease Autoimmune disease Harmful substances Non-sexually transmitted infection Sexually transmitted disease (STD) Proctitis caused by an STD is common in people who have anal intercourse. STDs that can cause proctitis include gonorrhea, herpes, chlamydia, and lymphogranuloma venereum.GonorrheaGonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI).Read Article Now Book Mark Article ChlamydiaChlamydia is an infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It is most often spread through sexual contact.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lymphogranuloma venereumLymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infections that are not sexually transmitted are less common than STD proctitis. One type of proctitis not from an STD is an infection in children that is caused by the same bacteria as strep throat.Autoimmune proctitis is linked to diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn disease. If the inflammation is in the rectum only, it may come and go or move upward into the large intestine.Ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitis is a condition in which the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum become inflamed. It is a form of inflammatory bowel ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Crohn diseaseCrohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Proctitis may also be caused by some medicines, radiotherapy to prostate or pelvis or inserting harmful substances into the rectum.RadiotherapyRadiation therapy uses high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Risk factors include:Autoimmune disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease Autoimmune disordersAn autoimmune disorder occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. There are more than 80 autoimmune d...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article High-risk sexual practices, such as anal sex Symptoms Symptoms include:Bloody stools Bloody stoolsBlack or tarry stools with a foul smell are a sign of a problem in the upper digestive tract. It most often indicates that there is bleeding in the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Constipation ConstipationConstipation in infants and children means they have hard stools or have problems passing stools. A child may have pain while passing stools or may ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rectal bleeding Rectal discharge, pus Rectal pain or discomfort Tenesmus (pain with bowel movement)TenesmusTenesmus is the feeling that you need to pass stools, even though your bowels are already empty. It may involve straining, pain, and cramping....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests Tests that may be used include:Exam of a stool sample Proctoscopy ProctoscopySigmoidoscopy is a procedure used to see inside the sigmoid colon and rectum. The sigmoid colon is the area of the large intestine nearest to the re...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rectal culture Rectal cultureRectal culture is a lab test to identify bacteria and other germs in the rectum that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and disease.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article SigmoidoscopySigmoidoscopySigmoidoscopy is a procedure used to see inside the sigmoid colon and rectum. The sigmoid colon is the area of the large intestine nearest to the re...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Most of the time, proctitis will go away when the cause of the problem is treated. Antibiotics are used if an infection is causing the problem. Corticosteroids or mesalamine suppositories or enemas may relieve symptoms for some people. Outlook (Prognosis) The outcome is good with treatment. Possible Complications Complications may include: Anal fistula Anemia AnemiaAnemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Different type...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Recto-vaginal fistula (women) FistulaA fistula is an abnormal connection between two body parts, such as an organ or blood vessel and another structure. Fistulas are usually the result ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Severe bleeding When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of proctitis. Prevention Safe sex practices may help prevent the spread of the disease.Open ReferencesReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention website. 2021 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines. www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/proctitis.htm. Reviewed July 22, 2021. Accessed July 18, 2023.Coates WC. Anorectum. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 82.Downs JM, Kulow B. Anal diseases. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 129.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Proctitis. www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/proctitis/all-content. Updated December 2021. Accessed July 18, 2023.