Anorectal pain – colloquially called anal discomfort – (synonyms: anal discomfort; anal discomfort; anal pain syndrome; anal pain; anorectal pain syndrome; anus irritation; anus pain; perineal pain; proctalgia; proctalgia; proctodynia; rectal discomfort; rectal pain; rectal pain; rectal pain; ICD-10-GM K62. 8: Other specified diseases of the anus and rectum; ICD-10-GM R10.2: Pelvic and perineal pain) refer to pain or discomfort in the area of the anus and/or rectum (rectum).
Anorectal pain occurs frequently.
The prevalence (frequency of illness) is estimated at 7%. It is usually experienced as painful and distressing.
Anorectal complaints can be a symptom of many diseases (see under “Differential diagnoses”). Not infrequently, anorectal pain is a functional complaint (functional anorectal pain); for classification, see under.
Course and prognosis: The course of anorectal pain depends on the cause of the complaints. A typical sequela of anorectal discomfort is constipation due to reflex sphincter spasm (spasm of the sphincter muscle). The constipation itself leads to an intensification of the complaints and thus a circulus vitiosus (“vicious circle”) is created. Many sufferers hesitate to see a doctor out of a sense of shame.
