How to examine anal fissures in women

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on September 17, 2024
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If a woman suspects symptoms of an anal fissure, it is recommended to directly perform a digital rectal examination rather than an anoscopy, to avoid worsening the condition by potentially tearing local fissures with the anoscope. Typically, an anal fissure presents with severe local pain in the anus, bleeding during bowel movements, and accompanying hard stools. Therefore, the initial treatment should focus on softening the stool, for which one can take oral hemp seed oil capsules to facilitate bowel movements. Additionally, applying Recovery New liquid as a hot compress on the local fissures can help alleviate symptoms and promote healing. If there is anal constriction, anal dilation therapy might be chosen, or treatment may involve a lateral internal sphincterotomy. (Please use the above medications under the guidance of a physician, and do not use them indiscriminately on your own.)

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What should pregnant women do about constipation and anal fissures?

During pregnancy, due to some special reasons, pregnant women are prone to constipation, and severe cases may develop anal fissures, bleeding, and pain. In such cases, it is first necessary to change the diet to a light one, eat more vegetables and fruits, drink more water, and develop good bowel habits. Avoid squatting for long periods. Additionally, enemas can be used to help with bowel movements, and anti-inflammatory ointments can be applied locally to the anal fissure area for disinfection. Using warm water for sitz baths can also relieve the pain from constipation and anal fissures. Routine abdominal and anal massages can alleviate symptoms and promote bowel movements.

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Written by Deng Heng
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What foods should be avoided with anal fissures?

People with anal fissures should avoid consuming chili peppers and alcohol. Chili peppers contain a compound called capsaicin, which can strongly irritate the nerves in the gastrointestinal tract and the ulcers of anal fissures, causing severe pain in the affected area. Additionally, capsaicin can dilate the mucosal blood vessels, leading to bleeding in the anal fissures. Alcohol has a similar effect, as it can exacerbate congestion and blood stasis in the anal and rectal areas. In most cases, consuming chili peppers and alcohol can intensify the pain.

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Written by Lin Shao Qiang
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What fruits to eat for anal fissures?

With anal fissures, it is important to maintain smooth bowel movements. Consume more fresh fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, kiwis, strawberries, celery, and spinach, as their rough fibers help lubricate the intestines and facilitate bowel movements. Avoid spicy and irritating foods, foods that cause internal heat, especially avoid chili peppers, onions, ginger, and garlic, and do not drink alcohol, as these can exacerbate constipation and worsen symptoms of anal fissures. Additionally, keep the affected area dry and clean to prevent bacterial infection, and wash with warm water. If there is inflammation in the area of the anal fissure, a sitz bath with potassium permanganate can be used.

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Written by Hu Xiang Dang
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Is anal fissure serious?

People often ask whether anal fissures are serious and what the consequences might be if they are not treated. Although treating anal fissures is not particularly difficult clinically, many patients, due to a lack of treatment knowledge and awareness of the condition, often delay treatment, which can cause some harm to their health. If an anal fissure is not treated, in addition to the pain during bowel movements and bleeding that the fissure itself causes, over time, it could also lead to conditions such as anal fistula and hypertrophied anal papillae. At the end of the fissure, a sentinel pile may develop. Due to the repeated irritation by fecal matter in an inflamed fissure, a linear ulcer may form. The skin and subcutaneous tissue around the anus might undergo fibrosis, thickening, or. form a hard lump. If the fissure repeatedly becomes infected, it can lead to the development of an anal sinus, and after infection, it may cause subcutaneous fistulas or abscesses. Of course, if an anal fissure persists over time, due to long-term spasm and fibrosis of the internal sphincter, it can lead to consequences such as anal stenosis.

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Characteristics of anal fissure with bleeding

An anal fissure is a small ulcer formed by the full-thickness splitting of the skin of the anal canal below the dentate line. A characteristic of bleeding due to an anal fissure is that it generally occurs along with periodic, tearing-like pain. Thus, bleeding and pain are the main clinical manifestations of an anal fissure. During defecation, the damaged surface can lead to bleeding from the fissure, usually with a small amount of blood. The stool may have streaks of blood, or there might be a few drops of fresh blood after defecation, or a slight smearing of fresh blood on toilet paper during wiping.