Proctalgia Fugax is a sudden muscle spasm in the anal area that causes sharp, cramping pain lasting from a few seconds to two minutes. These episodes often strike without warning-frequently at night-and can feel intense. Although alarming, Proctalgia Fugax is harmless and not linked to serious disease.
Attacks are brief but unmistakable. Look for:
The exact cause is unknown, but these triggers can provoke a spasm:
Don't let sudden rectal spasms keep you up at night. At GastroDoxs in Houston, our board-certified gastroenterologists specialize in fast relief and long-term management of Proctalgia Fugax. Call us at 832-632-4070 or book online now to schedule your personalized consultation and take the first step toward lasting comfort.
We've successfully treated more than 1.5K patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Proctalgia Fugax is often triggered by sudden spasms of the pelvic floor muscles. Common factors include emotional stress or anxiety, prolonged sitting, constipation or changes in bowel habits, and underlying pelvic floor tension.
Episodes of Proctalgia Fugax typically last from a few seconds up to two minutes. Although the pain can be intense, it usually resolves quickly without long-term effects.
No. Proctalgia Fugax is not a sign of cancer. Malignancies in the rectal area generally cause persistent pain, bleeding, weight loss, or bowel habit changes, unlike the brief, self-limiting spasms of Proctalgia Fugax.
Consult a specialist if your episodes become frequent, severe, or disruptive to sleep and daily activities, or if you experience new symptoms such as rectal bleeding, unintentional weight loss, or changes in bowel habits.
Diagnosis usually involves a thorough medical history and physical exam. Your physician may also perform an anoscopy, endoscopic evaluation, or pelvic imaging (such as MRI) to rule out other conditions.
Yes. Effective home treatments include warm sitz baths to relax muscles, gentle pelvic floor stretching exercises, over-the-counter muscle relaxants or pain relievers, topical numbing creams, and stress-reduction techniques.
For frequent or severe cases, your doctor may prescribe stronger muscle relaxants, nerve-blocking injections, topical lidocaine preparations, or refer you for biofeedback therapy to retrain pelvic floor muscles.
Proctalgia Fugax itself is benign. However, if your symptoms change in character, become longer lasting, or if you develop additional symptoms (such as bleeding), further evaluation is recommended to exclude other causes.
Treatment costs vary depending on the therapies, medications, and any diagnostic tests required. GastroDoxs accepts most insurance plans and provides billing support to help estimate your out-of-pocket expenses.
To book an appointment with a board-certified gastroenterologist at GastroDoxs, simply call our Houston office or visit our website. We'll match you with the right specialist and location for your needs.
