Q Dear Auntie Pearl, I am really worried over here, and embarrassed, I actually don’t know how to start. But I’m in pain so I thought I should do something.
My tummy is not lekker, it’s been weeks now, maybe even a month.
I can’t really poop, it’s like it doesn’t want to come out, there’s some blood down there if I look, and it’s painful.
Do I have cancer? Am I dying?
I’m actually too scared to think about going to the doctor, especially in these times we are in. Please help me.
From Scared.
A Dear Scared, sjoe angel, take a deep breath and let’s dive into this problem of yours.
Auntie is sorry to hear it’s not going so well health wise, and yes, any issues around areas below the belt are mos always embarrassing and worrying.
The thing to remember is, there’s probably many mense reading this who have the exact same issues and are just too skaam to talk about it – at least you were wys enough and brave enough to rek your bek and ask for help!
So let’s start with the basics.
Anal pain, or as the fancy mense and doctos call it; proctalgia, is often not that big of a deal, but you probably still need some medical attention.
But it can really ruin your day so rather get it sorted out hartjie…embarrassing of te not!
Anal pain can be caused by quite a few things such as anal fissures (small tears in the skin of the anus), haemorrhoids (of aambeie soos ons hom roep), an anal fistula or abscesse, and even stress.
Yes, you read right, stress can cause a hol kramp!
Evidence suggests that stress can literally make you sick to your stomach, and the remedy for this is to relax, practice deep breathing, drinking warm water and massaging your tummy in a clockwise circle.
Now not alles is as easy peasy as that nuh… If your anal pain comes with itching, burning, and especially a fever, things could be a bietjie more serious.
Speaking of serious, other causes of your anal pain could also potentially be: Crohn’s Disease, a fungal or sexually transmitted infection, problems with your tailbone or pain from arthritis or bone tumours, an infection of the prostate, anal cancer tumours and even the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
So you see skattie, there are many different ways this cookie can crumble.
Auntie’s advice? If the pain isn’t going away – and it sounds like yours isn’t – then it’s time to go to the doctor.
Ask for a rectal exam, and depending on the results, you may be referred to a specialist.
You said it’s been about a month, sweetness, and that sounds worrying.
So instead of making yourself even sicker with worry while you don’t know what you are dealing with, rather find out what the problem is and deal with it!
Hoe gaan daai sêding? Better the devil you know, than the devil you don’t nuh.