Surgery may be used if other treatments fail. Pain and swelling usually diminish after a short while, and clots disappear over 4 to 6 weeks. Alternatively, a doctor may cut the vein and remove the clot in an attempt to relieve the pain rapidly. Anal fissures are usually caused by an injury from a hard or large bowel movement. Fissures cause the sphincter to go into spasm, which may prevent healing.
Fissures cause pain and bleeding during or shortly after a bowel movement.
The pain lasts for several minutes to several hours and then subsides until the next bowel movement. A doctor diagnoses a fissure by inspecting the anus. Treatment A stool softener or psyllium may reduce the injury caused by hard bowel movements, while lubricating and soothing the lower rectum. Lubricant suppositories also can be helpful. A warm sitz bath for 10 or 15 minutes after each bowel movement eases discomfort and helps increase blood flow, which promotes healing.