The cause of the spasm of the muscle near the anus is generally not known.
Pain may be brief or may last for several hours.
The diagnosis is based on an examination.
Treatment includes pain relievers and sitz baths and sometimes physical therapy.
The rectum is the section of the digestive tract above the anus where stool is held before it passes out of the body through the anus.
The anus is the opening at the end of the digestive tract where stool leaves the body.
(See also Overview of the Anus and Rectum Overview of the Anus and Rectum The anus is the opening at the end of the digestive tract where stool leaves the body. The rectum is the section of the digestive tract above the anus where stool is held before it passes out... read more .)
The Digestive System
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Proctalgia fugax is fleeting pain in the rectum. Coccydynia is pain near the tailbone (coccyx). Both of these disorders are variations of levator syndrome.
It is not known why the levator ani muscle spasms.
Symptoms of Levator Syndrome
The muscle spasm causes pain that typically is not related to defecation. The pain usually lasts less than 20 minutes. Pain may be brief and intense or a vague ache high in the rectum. It may occur spontaneously or with sitting and can waken a person from sleep. The pain may feel as if it would be relieved by the passage of gas or a bowel movement.
In severe cases, the pain can persist for many hours and can recur frequently.
A person may have undergone various unsuccessful rectal operations to relieve these symptoms.
Diagnosis of Levator Syndrome
A doctor's examination
A doctor does a physical examination to rule out other painful rectal conditions (such as thrombosed hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids are dilated, twisted blood vessels located in the wall of the lower rectum and anus. The swollen vessels are caused by an increase in pressure. Lumps form inside or outside of the... read more 
, fissures Anal Fissure An anal fissure is a tear or ulcer in the lining of the anus (the opening at the end of the digestive tract where stool leaves the body). Anal fissures may occur after passage of hard or large... read more 
, or abscesses Anorectal Abscess An anorectal abscess is a pus-filled cavity caused by bacteria invading a mucus-secreting gland in the anus and rectum. Bacteria infect a blocked gland in the anus or rectum and create an abscess... read more ). The physical examination is often normal, but the muscle may be tender or tight.
Occasionally, the pain is caused by low back or prostate disorders.
Treatment of Levator Syndrome
Pain relievers and sitz baths
Physical therapy of the pelvis
The doctor explains that this condition is not life-threatening or severe.
An episode may be relieved by the passage of gas or a bowel movement or by a mild pain reliever (such as aspirin). An episode may also be relieved by soaking the anus in warm (not hot) water in what is known as a sitz bath. The soaking is accomplished by squatting or sitting for 10 to 15 minutes in a partially filled tub or using a container filled with warm water placed on the toilet bowl or commode.
When the symptoms of levator syndrome are more intense, people can undergo physical therapy of the pelvis.
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
aspirin |
Anacin Adult Low Strength, Aspergum, Aspir-Low, Aspirtab , Aspir-Trin , Bayer Advanced Aspirin, Bayer Aspirin, Bayer Aspirin Extra Strength, Bayer Aspirin Plus, Bayer Aspirin Regimen, Bayer Children's Aspirin, Bayer Extra Strength, Bayer Extra Strength Plus, Bayer Genuine Aspirin, Bayer Low Dose Aspirin Regimen, Bayer Womens Aspirin , BeneHealth Aspirin, Bufferin, Bufferin Extra Strength, Bufferin Low Dose, DURLAZA, Easprin , Ecotrin, Ecotrin Low Strength, Genacote, Halfprin, MiniPrin, St. Joseph Adult Low Strength, St. Joseph Aspirin, VAZALORE, Zero Order Release Aspirin, ZORprin |
