PAIN in the bum is common.
Most of the time it’s harmless and rarely a sign of something serious like anal cancer.
It has many different causes, and the NHS says that the type of pain you are experiencing could give you a clue as to where the route of the discomfort lies.
Medics however say that when it comes to this area of the body, you should not self diagnose.
Pelvic physical therapist Amanda Shipley said the pain can sometimes lead to discomfort, inconveniences and stop you from doing everyday activities.
She said that the pain can be perceived in different ways, including as a tightness or a nagging ache.
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“Anus, rectum or tailbone-area pain can be felt as an itching, burning, searing pain or spasm that varies from mild to intense,” she told Huff Post.
Amanda said that talking about issues down below can be embarrassing, and explained what different types of bum pain could be down to.
1. Menstruation
Menstruation can be an uncomfortable time for many people who have periods and the pain in your bum could be down to this.
Dr Jennifer Roelands said that when the uterus contracts to expel menstrual tissue, it can cause adjacent nerves to activate and create pain in what most consider unusual areas.
In turn this can irritate the pelvic floor, causing spasms, leading to severe pain in the pelvis, including the rectum.
2. Fibroids
Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that can develop in or around the uterus.
Larger fibroids can cause bum pain as they press on the rectum or pelvic nerves.
3. Gluteal amnesia
This is also referred to as ‘dead bum syndrome’ and is usually caused by prolonged sitting.
Physical therapist Dallas Reynolds told Huff Post that when we are sat for a long time, our hip flexors get tight, resulting in our glute muscles getting weak and sleepy.
4. Sciatica
This is a condition whereby pain runs along the path of the sciatic and can often get to the glute area.
Dr Reynolds said that doing nerve and mobility exercises will help with this.
5. Proctalgia Fugax
Amanda explained that this is a term, which actually just means painful spasms in the anus and rectum.
She said it may be diagnosed after a careful history and a thorough examination has been performed to rule out more serious causes of rectal pain.
6. Levator Ani Syndrome
The Levator ani sits deep in the pelvic floor and the syndrome refers to when muscles are too tight and you have trouble contracting and relaxing them.
Amanda said that you can find relief from this condition by applying heat or ice to the area.
