Rectal Protrusion (Through the Anus) Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

The rectum is the last portion of the large intestine which is about 12cm (approximately 5in) long. It leads to the short anal canal which measures about 3 to 5cm (1 to 2in) and then continues to the opening to the external environment known as the anus. Stool has to enter the rectum in order to eventually be passed out of the anus during defecation. However, there are times when protrusions through the rectum may be felt although it is not stool.

What protrudes through the anus?

Stool (feces) will naturally protrude through the anus while defecating. This protrusion is usually temporary. The stool is passed out into the environment and sometimes may retract until it is pushed out with further straining. In some instances people who are constipated and pass out very hard stool can find that it may become “stuck” partly protruding out of the anus. With wiping and sometimes even manual manipulation the stool may then be removed.

It is when organs or portions of it, and foreign objects protrude through the anus that there is often a cause for concern. The sensation can be uncomfortable and is sometimes even painful as is seen with a prolapsed hemorrhoid. The types of conditions and causes of protrusions through the anus need to be understood for proper treatment to be instituted. The more common conditions like hemorrhoids is not serious  but less common causes that may cause the sensation of something protruding through the anus could be deadly.

Protruding Veins

Inflamed and swollen veins that protrude is probably one of the most common causes. It is known as hemorrhoids or piles. There are two types – internal hemorrhoids which are affected veins inside the rectum while external hemorrhoids lie in the anus. Although external hemorrhoids are more likely to protrude since it lies superficially, sometimes even internal hemorrhoids can prolapse and protrude through the anus. Usually the protruding hemorrhoids are sensitive to touch especially when wiping, burn and bleed after a bowel movement.

Causes

Hemorrhoids is a very common condition and is estimated to affect as many as 1 out of 2 people by the age of 50 years. Most cases can be prevented. The more common causes include sitting on the toilet for too long during bowel movements, straining to pass stool and chronic constipation or even diarrhea. People who are obese and pregnant women are at a greater risk of developing hemorrhoids.

Treatment

Dietary change as well as changes in bowel habit can help to relieve mild cases without requiring medical treatment. For symptomatic cases medicated creams containing substances like hydrocortisone can provide relief but will not cure the hemorrhoids on its own with dietary and lifestyle changes. Sometimes surgery may be necessary and most of these procedures are minimally-invasive.

Protruding Bowel

The lower portion of the bowel, and specifically the rectum, can protrude through the anus. This condition is known as a rectal prolapse. It should not be confused with hemorrhoids where only a portion of the veins protrudes. There are different types of rectal prolapse depending on whether just a layer of the rectal wall protrudes or where a portion of the rectum telescopes within itself to protrude through the anus.

Causes

With age the connective tissue that supports the rectum may weaken and allow for the rectum to move in to positions that it should not. Weakening of the pelvic floor can also lead to a prolapse and is among the more common causes. It also tends to occur with age and childbirth which is why a rectal prolapse is more common among women. Long term straining and constipation may also contribute to a rectal prolapse.

Treatment

Correcting the constipation with a high fiber diet and plenty of water among other measures should be immediately addressed when constipation is present. The prolapse can be manually pushed back into position and this is helpful in mild cases. However, in severe cases surgery is required to correct the problem.

Suppositories

Suppositories are drugs that are administered through insertion into the rectum. It is a widely used form of drug where oral or injection forms are not practical and sometimes the rectal route of administration is preferred. Inserting a suppository can be difficult for a person who is not familiar with the procedure. If incorrectly inserted the suppository can protrude, especially if a person has been passing stool or large amount of gas (flatus). It can be easily remedies by pushing the suppository further up into the rectum where it will eventually dissolve.

Foreign Objects

The insertion of foreign objects other that a suppository or endoscope during a colonoscopy is unusual. It may sometimes occur among children who insert an object in the anus where it remains lodged until it is passed out during a bowel movement or manually removed. Foreign objects may instead injure the tissue of the anus, anal canal and rectum which may then give rise to the sensation of something protruding from the anus.

Hard Feces

Sometimes hard and large stool is not fully pushed out through the anus. Portions of hard stool may therefore protrude from the anus. It is a short term problem until the feces can be manually removed or if it retracts back into the anus. Although this is a not a common occurrence, it can happen in people who are constipated or have fecal impaction. The problem can be prevented in the future by using stool softeners and drinking large amounts of water so that the stool is soft and can break off as it is being evacuated from the rectum.

Tenesmus

The urging to pass stool is sometimes mistaken for something protruding through the anus. It is more likely to occur when abnormal urging is a characteristic feature of certain bowel conditions like in inflammatory bowel disease and proctitis. This constant urging is known as tenesmus. Usually the conditions where it occurs is also marked by diarrhea or constipation as the predominant symptoms. Similarly compression of the rectum and anal canal by surrounding organs may also cause similar sensations, like with an enlarged prostate. However, there is no apparent protrusion of any organ or object from the anus.

Cancer

Anal cancer is overall uncommon in contrast to colorectal cancer which is among the top ten most common cancers afflicting humans. Although the tumor may not actually protrude through the anus, a common symptoms is the sensation of a mass or growth within the anus. This can be mistaken for something protruding through it or the constant urge to pass stool (tenesmus). It is accompanied by symptoms such as pain, bleeding and itching of the anus which largely overlaps with the symptoms of hemorrhoids.