Proctitis Overview
Learn About Proctitis
Proctitis is an inflammation of the rectum. It can cause discomfort, bleeding, and the discharge of mucus or pus.
Inflammation - rectum; Rectal inflammation
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.
Infections 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.
Proctitis may also be caused by some medicines, radiotherapy to prostate or pelvis or inserting harmful substances into the rectum.
Risk factors include:
- Autoimmune disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease
- High-risk sexual practices, such as anal sex
Symptoms include:
- Bloody stools
- Constipation
- Rectal bleeding
- Rectal discharge, pus
- Rectal pain or discomfort
- Tenesmus (pain with bowel movement)
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.
Owensboro Health Medical Group Inc
Johongir Muradov is a General Surgeon in Owensboro, Kentucky. Dr. Muradov and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Proctitis. His top areas of expertise are Ogilvie Syndrome, Cellulitis, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Hernia Surgery, and Colonoscopy. Dr. Muradov is currently accepting new patients.
Bluegrass Internal Medicine PLLC
Matheis Carrico is an Internal Medicine provider in Owensboro, Kentucky. Dr. Carrico and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Proctitis. His top areas of expertise are Pleurisy, Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Familial Hypertension, Endoscopy, and Ureteroscopy. Dr. Carrico is currently accepting new patients.
Brett Davis is a Gastroenterologist in Owensboro, Kentucky. Dr. Davis has been practicing medicine for over 41 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Proctitis. His top areas of expertise are Diarrhea, Trichohepatoenteric Syndrome, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Endoscopy, and Colonoscopy.
The outcome is good with treatment.
Complications may include:
- Anal fistula
- Anemia
- Recto-vaginal fistula (women)
- Severe bleeding
Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of proctitis.
Safe sex practices may help prevent the spread of the disease.
Background: Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Taiwan, with rectal cancer accounting for approximately 27% of all cases. Total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT), which consists of chemotherapy and radiation therapy delivered before surgery, has become the standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer. However, there is currently no reliable method for predicting the response to T...
Summary: First-degree relatives of people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) have an increased risk for developing IBD themselves. This study will follow unaffected first-degree relatives (who do not have IBD) over time to understand if their behaviors, diet, and biomarkers for IBD can help predict who gets IBD and if IBD can be prevented in these high-r...
Published Date: May 02, 2023
Published 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.