Stabbing Pain When Pooping During Period?

Written by

Victoria Fanslau

Victoria Fanslau is a medical content writer and an experienced nurse with five years of experience working in acute care hospital settings on medical/surgical units and primary care. She is passionate about helping others better understand the complexities of healthcare through her writing. With her knowledge, Victoria can break down complex topics into user-friendly information that is engaging and informative. She has a knack for writing compelling and interesting medical content that resonates with readers.

Medically reviewed by

Amy Dougherty, FNP-BC, AGAC

Amy is a Board Certified Family Health Nurse Practitioner (FNP) with over 15 years of experience working in Hospital Medicine, Urgent Care and Primary Care practices. Amy graduated Thomas Jefferson University with high distinction earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2008, a Master of Science in Nursing in 2010 and a Post Master's Certificate in Adult Gerontology Acute Care (AGAC) in 2014. She was recognized by the Elite American Nurses Association in 2013 for her dedication, achievements and leadership in the field Nursing. She served as a clinical preceptor for a number of Nurse Practitioner students and enjoys teaching the bright minds of future NPs.

Have you ever experienced a pain or sensation and thought “do other people get this” but you are too embarrassed to ask? You are not alone. There are many medical subjects that some people like to keep private such as menstrual periods, bowel movements, sex, and more. 

There is nothing wrong with being modest and private but remember when it comes to medical concerns your healthcare providers are your best resource. They are professionally trained to treat these medical conditions.

One of those perceived embarrassing medical subjects that you may be wondering about or have seen on social media recently is buttock cramps. There was a video that went viral on social media where a woman is explaining that she gets what she describes as butt cramps while she is on her period. 

Many users commented on the video and said that they also experience a similar sensation or have the same feeling when they are having a bowel movement during menstruation. 

So what are these ‘butt cramps’? It is common and well known that women can get pelvic cramps during their period but buttock cramps are not as talked about. Let’s dig deeper into what they are and what could be causing them.  

Table of Contents

• What Can Cause Stabbing Pain When Pooping During Period?
• What Causes Butt Cramps During Your Period?
• Is Rectal Pain During Your Period a Cause for Concern?
• How to Relieve Butt Cramps on Your Period?
• When to See a Doctor?
• Key Takeaways

What Can Cause Stabbing Pain When Pooping During Period?

The truth is there are several different factors that could cause a sensation of stabbing or cramping during a bowel movement during a woman’s menstrual period or even not during a period. Let’s review some possibilities that may be the culprit. 

• Hormones are heavily involved in the menstrual cycle and will fluctuate throughout the cycle. One of those hormones is called prostaglandins. These can cause the walls of the bowels to contract which causes a painful cramping sensation in the bowels. 
• A condition called endometriosis could also be causing pain in the buttocks region during a woman’s period. During menstruation, the tissue that builds up and lines the uterus every month in preparation for a possible fetus breaks down and sheds which causes bleeding from the vagina. When a woman has endometriosis, she has the same tissues build-up but they grow outside the uterus. The tissue can build up on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and even the intestines. During menstruation, these tissues break down but unlike the tissue in the uterus, they do not have a way to escape from the body. This can be very painful. 
• A condition called proctalgia fugax could be the cause of that buttocks cramping feeling for females and males. A proctalgia fugax attack has been described as a non-radiating cramp, spasm, or stabbing pain. Approximately 8% – 18% of the general population experience proctalgia fugax. It is more common in women than men. The cause of proctalgia fugax is unclear but it can be triggered by menstruation. 
• Other common conditions that should be ruled out include muscle tension, gastrointestinal conditions, hemorrhoids, and constipation.

What Causes Butt Cramps During Your Period?

The uncomfortable sensation of the buttocks cramping during the menstrual period could be due to hormonal changes that take place during menstruation, endometriosis, proctalgia fugax, or other gastrointestinal conditions. Know that you are not alone and other people also experience this. 

Is Rectal Pain During Your Period a Cause for Concern?

The answer to this question will depend on several factors. If you only experience an occasional pain that goes away quickly then it is probably not anything serious. If you have continued pain and/or it is severe then you should go to your healthcare provider to have it checked out. 

It is a good idea to keep a journal of when you are having the pain and how long it lasts. As with any medical condition, if your symptoms are severe, you should seek medical treatment. This article is not a substitute for professional medical advice from your healthcare provider. 

How to Relieve Butt Cramps on Your Period?

If you have severe cramping in the buttocks or have been diagnosed with endometriosis or proctalgia fugax, follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and treatment plan. The solutions for treating mild feelings of butt cramping during your period are the same as treating pelvic cramps. 

• Using over-the-counter NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) is one of the best ways to help battle mild to moderate pain. Common NSAIDs include Advil and Aleve. Make sure to only take one of these types of medication at a time, follow the directions on the medication bottle, and don’t take more than directed. 
• Heat is a great option for treating cramps. Try applying heat to the area of your cramps. There are multiple methods of doing this such as a heating pad, heating blanket, heat patch, or a warm bath. 

When to See a Doctor?

If you’re having consistent or severe pain that doesn’t go away, cannot be relieved, or is getting worse you should see a doctor. Start keeping a journal of symptoms that includes how severe the pain is, when you have it, and how long it lasts. If you are having severe anal bleeding you should seek emergency medical care. 

Get Help From an Online Doctor

Technology has now allowed patients to connect with healthcare providers quicker than ever before. Telehealth has grown tremendously in the last few years. At DrHouse you can connect with a board-certified doctor in as little as 15 minutes. This is convenient when it comes to getting medical treatment faster. 

It will take some primary doctor’s office days to get you in for an appointment. With DrHouse you could see a doctor in less time than it takes you to cook a meal or take a shower. You won’t even have to leave your house. This will save you time and allow you to get quick treatment for your medical concerns. 

Key Takeaways

There are several culprits that could cause stabbing pain while having a bowel movement during your period or butt cramps such as hormonal changes, endometriosis, proctalgia fugax, and other more common conditions. 

If you’re having consistent or severe pain that doesn’t go away, cannot be relieved, or is getting worse you should see a doctor. There are many medical conditions or subjects that people like to keep private or may be embarrassed about but remember that your healthcare provider is your best resource for medical advice and they are professionally trained to treat these medical conditions.  

Sources:

• 1. MediLexicon International. (n.d.). Rectal pain: Causes, remedies, and when to contact a doctor. Medical News Today. Retrieved July 21, 2022, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326085#causes 
• 2. de Parades, V., Etienney, I., Bauer, P. et al. Proctalgia Fugax: Demographic and Clinical Characteristics. What Every Doctor Should Know from a Prospective Study of 54 Patients. Dis Colon Rectum 50, 893–898 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-006-0754-4
• 3. Jeyarajah S, Purkayastha S. Proctalgia fugax. CMAJ. 2013 Mar 19;185(5):417. doi: https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.101613. Epub 2012 Nov 26. PMID: 23184844; PMCID: PMC3602260.