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Anal Fissures

Order Anal Fissure treatment online in the UK. Discreet medical consultation and effective relief with Rectogesic and Xyloproct.

3 available treatments

Understanding Anal Fissures — Your GP's Guide

<p>Many of my patients come to me deeply concerned about sharp, tearing pain during bowel movements, often terrified they might have something far more sinister, like bowel cancer. I want to reassure you straight away: while anal fissures are incredibly painful and distressing, they are extremely common and usually highly treatable. An anal fissure is simply a small tear in the delicate lining of the anal canal, most often caused by passing a hard or unusually large stool.</p><p>The intense pain happens because the tear exposes the underlying muscle, which then involuntarily goes into spasm. This spasm pulls the tear further apart and restricts blood flow, creating a vicious cycle of pain and delayed healing. Please don't suffer in silence out of embarrassment—I see this condition almost weekly in my clinic. With the right combination of targeted treatments and simple lifestyle adjustments, we can break that cycle of spasm, relieve the pain, and allow the tissue to finally heal.</p>

Medical Treatments for Anal Fissures

Available treatment options

When it comes to prescribing, we have several excellent topical options. For a relatively fresh, highly inflamed tear, I often recommend a short course of Anusol HC or Xyloproct .

These contain mild steroids to rapidly reduce swelling and local anesthetics to numb the sharp, stinging pain. Anusol HC and Xyloproct are fantastic for immediate symptom relief, but they shouldn't be used for longer than a week or two, as prolonged steroid use can thin the local skin.

However, if the fissure has been troubling you for several weeks, it has likely become chronic. In these cases, Rectogesic is my first-line recommendation. It contains a medication that actively relaxes the anal sphincter, stopping the spasm and restoring the blood flow necessary for permanent, deep tissue repair.

What to expect from treatment

Healing a fissure is rarely a perfectly linear journey; you might have four good days followed by one bad day if a slightly harder stool passes. A very common side effect I warn my patients about with Rectogesic is the "GTN headache," caused by the medication dilating blood vessels in your head as well as your pelvis.

Applying the ointment while lying down before bed can significantly reduce this. The most important clinical pearl I can share is this: do not stop using your ointment the moment the pain stops.

The new skin is microscopic and incredibly fragile. Continue your treatment for a full two weeks after you feel completely better to prevent an immediate relapse.

Self-care and prevention

Medication alone won't fix the underlying mechanical issue. While everyone knows to drink more water and eat fiber, my top preventative advice is to change your toilet posture.

Humans were designed to squat. Placing a small footstool under your feet while on the toilet lifts your knees above your hips. This naturally straightens the lower bowel and relaxes the pelvic floor, drastically reducing the strain on the anal canal.

Furthermore, make the bathroom a phone-free zone. Sitting on the toilet for prolonged periods reading or scrolling puts sustained, downward pressure on the pelvic floor, which encourages both fissures and hemorrhoids to develop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Medically reviewedDr. Claire Phipps(GMC: 7014359)

A Doctor's Guide to Healing Anal Tears and Stopping the Spasm

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