If you’ve ever had a ripping, tearing wound while passing a bowel movement (especially if you have cut during pooping), then know that you are not alone. Anal Fissures primarily affect legions of women worldwide, but most endure silently and are too shy to seek help. But Dr Ram's Advanced Surgical Hospital is here to help you with proper guidance and Fissure Treatment in Ahmedabad. A knowledge of the causes of fissures in women is the first step to relieving them and avoiding their return.
What is an Anal Fissure?
But before we look at possible causes, let’s define what we’re talking about. Anal fissure is a tear or split in the skin lining of the anal canal. Think about it as something similar to a paper cut in one of your most tender, vulnerable spots: painful, uncomfortable and annoyingly slow to heal
Primary Causes of Fissure in Female Patients
1. Chronic Constipation and Hard Stools
Hard, dry stools are the most frequent cause of anal fissure in women. When you are constipated, you push hard during bowel movements, and the large, hard stools can literally rip the anal tissue. It sets up a vicious cycle: The tear hurts, so you avoid going to the bathroom, which then causes more constipation.
2. Childbirth and Pregnancy
Pregnancy and vaginal delivery aetiologically contribute to the development of fissure in female bodies. It's hormone-induced during pregnancy, due to the slowing of digestion that occurs with hormonal alterations. Also, the pressure from the accumulating baby affects bowel movement. During birth, in particular childbirth that is vaginal, the stress and injury done to the pelvic floor can lead to anal fissures.
3. Chronic Diarrhoea
Softer stools are better, but if you have diarrhoea a lot, that’s not good either. Frequent bowel movements can irritate and inflame the lining of the anus, making it easier to tear. Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can also affect the situation.
4. Hormonal Fluctuations
Women’s hormones fluctuate at various stages of their lives, such as menstruation, pregnancy and menopause, which can impact the health of the digestive system. These changes can disrupt bowel patterns, resulting in either constipation or diarrhoea, both of which are factors responsible for the development of fissure among female patients.
5. Tight Anal Sphincter Muscles
Some women have more inherent resting pressure in their anal sphincter muscles. This increased tension limits the blood supply to the region, making the tissue more prone to tearing and less responsive to healing when it is injured.
6. Poor Bathroom Habits
The area around the anus can become irritated due to spending too long on the toilet, wiping too roughly or using toxic loo paper. Straining, which can also produce haemorrhoids even if you’re not constipated, puts a great deal of pressure on eminently delicate tissue.
7. Dietary Factors
Anal fissures are caused mainly by a diet lacking in fibre. Lacking sufficient fibre, stools harden and become difficult to pass. If you’re not drinking enough water, dehydration is the opposite of what you want your body to be while sitting on the toilet trying to force out bowel movements!
8. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
These patients often have chronic inflammation in the digestive tract, such as seen with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. “Female patients with these diseases are at increased risk of developing anal fissures secondary to chronic inflammation and frequent bowel movements.
9. Sexual Activity
Receptive anal sex, or injury to the anus during sexual activity, may cause tearing of the lining of the anal canal. It is a touchy subject, but it's something worth recognising.
10. Age-Related Changes
As women get older, blood flow to the anorectal region decreases, and tissues lose elasticity. Older women are, therefore, more prone to traumas, even of lower severity, causing fissures.
Recognising the Symptoms
Begin with an understanding of what causes the fissure in female patients, but recognising symptoms is also equally important. Common signs include :
- Acute, sharp, shooting pain during stool.
- Pain lasting several hours afterwards
- A tear in the anal area is visible, or a crack can be seen on top of it.
- Passage of bright red blood in the stool or on toilet paper
- Anal itching or irritation
- A little skin tag just short of the fissure
When to Seek Medical Help
Although most fissures heal with home treatment, it’s best to see a doctor if :
- Pain persists beyond six weeks
- You notice excessive bleeding
- Symptoms worsen despite treatment
- You develop a fever or other worrisome symptoms
Prevention is Key
Prevent it! Because now that you know what causes fissures in female bodies, preventing them is easier :
- Consume more fibrous foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Drink as much water each day as possible.
- Work out on the regular for healthy digestion
- Do not ignore bowel movements when they pop up. If you listen to the signals your body sends you, it can help eliminate some of the symptoms of acid reflux.
- Practice good bathroom hygiene
Also, control stress because it can affect digestive health
Final Thoughts
Anal fissures are more common than you might expect, especially if you're a woman. Fissures in women can be caused by a variety of reasons, from childbirth and hormonal fluctuations to eating habits and health issues. Prevention and treatment are the solution. Most anal fissures can be prevented and treated with lifestyle changes, diet adjustments, and attentive bathroom habits.
Don’t be too embarrassed to ask for help. Your health and your comfort are important, and doctors at Dr Ram's Advanced Surgical Hospital (and some others) know how to discuss these topics professionally with compassion. By knowing the reasons why it happens and what you can do to prevent it, you will be able to avoid getting struck with this painful disorder and help yourself achieve improved digestive health.
