Proctitis
Proctitis 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.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleChlamydia
Chlamydia is an infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It is most often spread through sexual contact.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleLymphogranuloma venereum
Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleInfections 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 colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a condition in which the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum become inflamed. It is a form of inflammatory bowel ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleCrohn disease
Crohn 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...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleProctitis may also be caused by some medicines, radiotherapy to prostate or pelvis or inserting harmful substances into the rectum.
Radiotherapy
Radiation therapy uses high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleRisk factors include:
- Autoimmune disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease
Autoimmune disorders
An autoimmune disorder occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. There are more than 80 autoimmune d...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - High-risk sexual practices, such as anal sex
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- Bloody stools
Bloody stools
Black 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 ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Constipation
Constipation
Constipation in infants and children means they have hard stools or have problems passing stools. A child may have pain while passing stools or may ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Rectal bleeding
- Rectal discharge, pus
- Rectal pain or discomfort
- Tenesmus (pain with bowel movement)
Tenesmus
Tenesmus is the feeling that you need to pass stools, even though your bowels are already empty. It may involve straining, pain, and cramping....
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Exams and Tests
Tests that may be used include:
- Exam of a stool sample
- Proctoscopy
Proctoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy 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...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Rectal culture
Rectal culture
Rectal culture is a lab test to identify bacteria and other germs in the rectum that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and disease.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy 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...
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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
Anemia
Anemia 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...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Recto-vaginal fistula (women)
Fistula
A fistula is an abnormal connection between two body parts, such as an organ or blood vessel and another structure. Fistulas are usually the result ...
Read 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.
Reviewed By
Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Centers 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.