Anal Fissure Patients often have an anal fissure rather than haemorrhoids. An anal fissure is a tear in the anal canal.  It may arise after passing a particularly hard or large bowel motion or after anal trauma.  It gives symptoms of bleeding and itching, like haemorrhoids, but is often much more painful. It is thought [...]

Perianal Abscess Infections at the anus are common and can form abscesses. The anus has numerous glands that are constantly being infected.  Normally the infection discharges inside the anus and goes unnoticed.  Rarely these infections instead discharge in to the fat of the buttock around the anus and then they can form a painful abscess.  [...]

Anal Fistula Sometimes anal infection can lead to a fistula. Sometimes perianal abscesses do not heal properly and leave an abnormal track running from the inside of the anus or rectum to the nearby skin; this is called a fistula.  Anal fistulas can be complicated because they might incorporate parts of the anal sphincter mechanism [...]

Anal Warts Some anal lumps are contagious. The human papilloma virus (HPV) is infective and can be transmitted from person to person by sexual contact.  Other people at risk of getting infected are people with a weakened immune system.  Warty growths can arise after infection.  It is important to try to treat the condition as [...]

Anal polyps and Skin Tags Many patients become concerned that they do not have a neat flat anus. It is very common to develop little benign growths at the anus called anal polyps or skin tags. Firstly it is important to check with a qualified doctor about the correct diagnosis. In most cases of anal [...]

Pilonidal Sinus Disease Pilonidal sinus disease is a condition where hairs can grow abnormally in the natal cleft or the valley between the buttocks. Small pits can form which can get recurrently infected causing pain and discomfort. The condition is most common in hairy men but women can also suffer from the condition. Some patients [...]

Prolapse Prolapse occurs when internal tissues protrude through the anus. Rectal or anal prolapse is often so embarrassing that many suffering patients unfortunately do not seek help from a doctor.  The condition mainly occurs in people who strain very hard to evacuate their bowels and in people with weakened pelvic muscles.  Prolapse starts with only [...]

Pelvic Floor Exercises These useful and inobtrusive exercises often help with many anal and rectal conditions such as prolapse and incontinence. Anal incontinence and prolapse can sometimes arise because of weak supporting pelvic floor muscles.  Sometimes these muscles are damaged during vaginal childbirth and these muscles often slowly become weaker with age.  Pelvic floor muscles [...]

Anal Hygeine If you thought a bowel surgeon spent their time seeing the dirtiest people in the community then you should think again! Over cleaning the Anus leads to anal irritation and disease Many people would think that a bowel and anus surgeon spends most of his time seeing the dirtiest people in the community.  [...]