There is a hard lump in the rectum and it hurts a bit

The appearance of hard lumps and pain in the rectum may be caused by diseases such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, rectal polyps or perianal abscesses. You should pay attention to changes in symptoms as early as possible and seek medical attention in time. After a clear diagnosis, choose appropriate treatment methods, such as drug therapy, surgical intervention or lifestyle adjustments.

1. Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are a common cause of hard, painful bumps in the rectum, which can cause significant discomfort and even severe pain, especially when the bumps are inflamed, thrombosed, or prolapsed. For mild hemorrhoids, symptoms can be relieved by warm water sitz baths, topical hemorrhoid ointments (such as carrageenan cream), or oral medications to relieve inflammation (such as diosmin tablets). If symptoms are severe or hemorrhoids prolapse, surgical treatment should be considered, such as rubber band ligation, hemorrhoidal circumcision (PPH), or traditional hemorrhoidectomy.

2. Anal fissure

Anal fissures are caused by tears in the skin around the anus. They are usually very painful, and the pain worsens after defecation. At the same time, small swollen lumps (sentinel piles) may be felt. Treatment is mainly to promote wound healing. Local lubricating ointments (such as nitroglycerin ointment or lidocaine gel to relieve spasms) can be used, and good bowel habits can be maintained to prevent constipation or hard stools from aggravating the fissure. If anal fissures form chronic lesions for a long time, surgical treatment may be required, such as anal fissure resection or internal sphincter release.

3. Rectal polyps

Although rectal polyps are mostly painless, they may also cause local pain and a hard sensation when they are large and rub against the intestinal wall. When the polyps are small or have no other symptoms, they can be treated by direct removal through colonoscopy; for multiple polyps or complex pathology, submucosal resection or endoscopic mucosal dissection (ESD) can be selected.

4. Perianal abscess

Perianal abscess is an acute inflammation of the perianal tissue caused by bacterial infection. It usually presents as a local lump with tenderness, often accompanied by fever, suppuration and other symptoms. The first choice for treatment is drainage surgery, which removes the infection by incising the abscess. Systemic antibiotics such as cephalosporins are also required to prevent the spread of infection. After the infection recovers, the cause of the abscess, such as anal fistula, may also need to be treated.

5. Other causes: inflammatory bowel disease or tumor

A painful lump in the rectum may also involve more serious conditions such as inflammatory diseases (such as Crohn's disease) or malignant tumors. This requires colonoscopy, imaging tests and biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment often involves individualized adjustment, including systemic medication, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgical resection.

The phenomenon of hard lumps and pain in the rectum should not be ignored. Professional medical examinations should be conducted as soon as possible to find out the cause. Do not delay and the condition will worsen. In terms of treatment, choose the appropriate plan according to different diseases, and maintain a healthy diet and scientific bowel habits to reduce the risk of recurrence and restore health.