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Basics

• Summary
• Diagnosis and Tests
• Treatments and Therapies

Learn More

• Related Issues
• Specifics

See, Play and Learn

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Research

• Clinical Trials
• Journal Articles

Resources

• Find an Expert

For You

• Women
• Patient Handouts

Summary

The rectum is the lower part of your large intestine where your body stores stool. Problems with the rectum are common. They include hemorrhoids, abscesses, incontinence and cancer.

Many people are embarrassed to talk about rectal troubles. But seeing your doctor about problems in this area is important. This is especially true if you have pain or bleeding. Treatments vary depending on the particular problem.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Diagnosis and Tests

• Colonoscopy: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Lower GI Series (Barium Enema) (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
• Lower GI X-Ray (Barium Enema) (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
• Rectal Bleeding (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Testing of the Anorectal and Pelvic Floor Area (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• Understanding Minor Rectal Bleeding (American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy)

Treatments and Therapies

• How to Use Rectal Suppositories (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists)
• Rectal prolapse repair - series (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Related Issues

• How to Get More Fiber in Your Diet (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish

Specifics

• Levator Syndrome (Merck & Co., Inc.) Also in Spanish
• Pelvic Floor Dyssynergia (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders)
• Polyps of the Colon and Rectum (American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons) Also in Spanish
• Proctitis (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Proctitis (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
• Rectal Prolapse (American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons)
• Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Proctitis (National Institutes of Health)
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Rectal Diseases (National Institutes of Health)
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Rectal Prolapse (National Institutes of Health)
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Rectocele (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Postpartum Anorectal and Pelvic Floor Disorders: Evaluation, Treatment, and Prevention.
• Article: Abnormal anorectal manometric and sensory functions in patients with functional anorectal...
• Article: Importance of the diameter of the mechanical suture in rectal surgery...
• Rectal Disorders -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• American College of Gastroenterology
• American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
• Find a Gastroenterologist (GI Doctor) (American College of Gastroenterology)
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Women

• Posterior Vaginal Prolapse (Rectocele) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Rectal Problems in Women (American College of Gastroenterology)

Patient Handouts

• Anorectal abscess (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Digital rectal exam (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Proctitis (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Rectal biopsy (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Rectal prolapse (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Rectal prolapse repair (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish