Have you ever randomly experienced a shooting pain in your bum that stops you in your tracks?
One NHS doctor has shared a common reason why 'shooty bum pain' happens and what you can do to relieve this quite literal pain in the a***.
What are the symptoms of 'shooting pain' in the bum?
According to patient.info, the condition is characterised by a sudden, cramping, severe pain in the anal passage.
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The pain often happens in clusters of attacks over a period of a few weeks and each attack lasts between mere seconds and 20 minutes.
Often there is no reason why the shooting pain happens, but it can be triggered by stress, sex, constipation, having a period and endometriosis.
In between episodes, there is no pain at all.
What causes 'shooting pain' in the bum?
In a TikTok video that has been viewed more than 1.4 million times, Dr Sooj, a GP from Hertfordshire, explained one potential cause of the mysterious pain.
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He said: "Have you ever experienced a lightning bolt to your poop pipe? It can feel like you're being stabbed with a hot knife.
"If so, you could have proctalgia fugax. This is translated to a fleeting anal pain, even though some episodes can last up to 20 minutes.
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"It's thought to be caused by spasms of the anal muscles and there are usually no symptoms in between episodes."
While extremely painful for those who suffer from it, proctalgia fugax is benign and typically not a cause for concern.
How can you treat 'shooting pain' in the bum?
For many people, episodes of proctalgia fugax are infrequent and no treatment is required.
But, while there's no proven 'cure' for the condition, there are things you can do to help ease the pain.
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A salbutamol inhaler - the same type used by people with asthma - works to relax the muscles around the anus.
There are also creams that work on the blood vessels around the anus and injections into the nerve to make it less sensitive.
Dr Sooj recommends a few further at-home remedies, such as 'warm baths and exercises to help stretch the pelvic floor muscles.'
While proctalgia fugax isn't anything to worry about, anal pain is also a symptom of far more serious conditions.
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If you're at all worried, it's always a good idea to visit your GP to discuss your symptoms and determine the cause of the pain.
Bec Oakes