An anal fissure is a small tear in the thin, moist tissue (mucosa) that lines the anus. An anal fissure may occur when you pass hard or large stools during a bowel movement. Anal fissures typically cause pain and bleeding with bowel movements. You also may experience spasms in the ring of muscle at the end of your anus (anal sphincter).

Anal fissures are very common in young infants but can affect people of any age.

Signs and symptoms of an anal fissure include:

  • Colitis
  • Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s diseases or ulcerative colitis
  • Diabetes
  • Diverticulitis
  • Pelvic inflammatory diseases
  • Use of medications such as prednisone
  • Being the receptive partner in anal sex

Causes of Fissure

Common causes of an anal fissure include:

  • Passing large or hard stools
  • Constipation and straining during bowel movements
  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Anal intercourse
  • Childbirth

Less common causes of anal fissures include:

  • Crohn’s disease or another inflammatory bowel disease
  • Anal cancer
  • HIV
  • Tuberculosis
  • Syphilis

Risks Of Fissure

Factors that may increase your risk of developing an anal fissure include:

  • Straining during bowel movements and passing hard stools increase the risk of tearing.
  • Anal fissures are more common in women after they give birth.
  • Crohn’s disease. This inflammatory bowel disease causes chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract, which may make the lining of the anal canal more vulnerable to tearing.
  • Anal intercourse.
  • Age. Anal fissures can occur at any age but are more common in infants and middle-aged adults.

Complications of anal fissure can include:

  • Failure to heal. An anal fissure that fails to heal within eight weeks is considered chronic and may need further treatment.
  • Once you’ve experienced an anal fissure, you are prone to having another one.
  • A tear that extends to surrounding muscles. An anal fissure may extend into the ring of muscle that holds your anus closed (internal anal sphincter), making it more difficult for your anal fissure to heal. An unhealed fissure can trigger a cycle of discomfort that may require medications or surgery to reduce the pain and to repair or remove the fissure.
  • Infection to that area may lead to Abscess formation and leads to Fistula in ano.