Stabbing pain in the bum when on your period? Why does it happen and how to treat it?
In this article
What's the lowdown?
Shooting pain in the bum can be a symptom of your period
It is caused by the same prostaglandin chemicals that make the muscles of your uterus squeeze
Medications that reduce prostaglandin levels can help reduce the severity and frequency of these pains in the bum
What is the stabbing pain in your bum while on your period?
Periods are generally a pain and now they can also be a pain in my ass? What more!
Well, we actually have a name for this shooting bumhole pain. It is called Proctalgia Fugax. Try saying that 3 times fast.
Proctalgia fugax
Proctalgia fugax is a fleeting pain sensation that only occurs in the anus or lower rectum, lasting seconds to a few minutes. Sexual activity, stress, constipation as well as menstruation are triggers that can cause this annoying pain1. Sometimes, it can even happen without a trigger, because why not right?
Is it normal?
As we know, the blood we lose during our period is from the endometrial lining of the womb. The body prepares itself for a pregnancy by thickening the endometrial lining, hoping a fertilised egg will implant. However, when one does not, the lining of the womb is of no more use so is removed from the body via our period.
To help shed this lining, our body produces natural prostaglandins in the lining itself2. Prostaglandins aren’t hormones but hormone-like chemicals. They essentially trigger the muscles of the uterus to contract, along with the blood vessels. The prostaglandin levels usually are the highest on the first day of the period and then gradually decrease as the amount of uterine lining remaining also decreases. These prostaglandins impact the anal muscles the same way too, causing them to contract or spasm.Â
Can shooting bum pains on your period be endometriosis?
Proctalgia fugax can be a symptom of endometriosis. This condition is where cells similar to the womb lining are found outside the womb. If these cells are found around the bowel or rectum, it could cause particularly bad pain in the butt, especially leading up to and throughout your period. If you suffer with other symptoms of endometriosis such as severely painful periods, pain during sex or bladder pain, especially around your period then please speak to your doctor.
What does shooty bum pain on period feel like?
Oh goodness, how does one describe their period butthole pains?
Picture this, you are sitting on your sofa with a hot water bottle minding your own business trying to watch some feel-good tv and then next minute bam, you cannot move, making an ugly face as you try and breathe through what feels like someone stabbing your anus.
Or you’re out trying to live your best life and the pain hits, stopping you in your tracks. People looking at you funny while you try and concentrate on not screaming out loud!
1 minute later, the pain disappears as if nothing has happened.
Can you relate?
How to treat shooting bum pain on your period
Proctalgia fugax may be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen or mefenamic acid. NSAIDs work by reducing the production of prostaglandins in the body3. So lower levels of prostaglandins should mean less period pain in the bum!
Summary
Sad to say, pain in the anus during your period is normal.
Your anus is just unfortunate collateral damage of the prostaglandins your womb lining produces.
Welcome to the butt-yful world of menstruation.
Dr Fatema Dawoodbhoy
Fatema is currently training in London as an Academic doctor, with a special interest in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She is passionate about championing women to understand their bodies better and prioritise their health. She understands the importance of clinically accurate articles and has been writing engaging and educative medical content for 5 years.
Our medical review process
This article has been medically reviewed for factual and up to date information by a Lowdown doctor.
