Anal fissure
A very common cause of anal pain — and one that many people struggle with alone before seeking help. Everything here is private, anonymous, and built to help you make sense of what you are experiencing.
At a glance
An anal fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anus. It is one of the most common causes of sharp pain during or after a bowel movement. Fissures can be acute (recent, often healing within weeks) or chronic (lasting beyond 6 to 8 weeks and sometimes needing further treatment). Our basics guide covers patterns, self-care, and when to seek care in more detail.
Common symptoms people report
- Sharp or burning pain during a bowel movement
- Pain that continues for minutes to hours after a bowel movement
- Small amounts of bright red blood on toilet paper
- Muscle spasm in the anal area
- Fear or avoidance of bowel movements
- A visible small tear or cut
Guides
Accepting fissure surgery
The emotional journey of deciding to have surgery for a chronic fissure — what people describe about reaching that point and making peace with the decision.
Read guide →Acute vs chronic anal fissure
The differences between an acute and a chronic anal fissure — how they develop, how they look and feel differently, and why the distinction matters for treatment.
Read guide →Advancement flap surgery
What advancement flap surgery is, when it is recommended, and what people describe about the procedure and recovery.
Read guide →Aloe vera for anal fissure
What people report about using aloe vera for anal fissure relief, what the evidence says, and how it fits alongside standard treatments.
Read guide →Anal dilatation for chronic fissure
What people report about anal dilatation as an approach for chronic fissures — the theory, the practice, and where it sits alongside other treatment options.
Read guide →Anal dilatation for fissure: what to know
What anal dilatation (Lord's procedure) involves as a treatment for chronic anal fissure, why it has fallen out of favour, when it is still used, and how it compares to LIS and other surgical options.
Read guide →Anal fissure in children
What parents should know about anal fissures in children — why they happen, what to watch for, how to help your child, and when to see a doctor.
Read guide →Anal fissure in elderly adults
How anal fissures present and are managed in older adults — the specific challenges, treatment considerations, and why age matters for healing.
Read guide →Anal fissures: patterns and care
Learn what an anal fissure is, what people commonly experience, what tends to help, and when to seek medical care.
Read guide →Anterior anal fissure in women
What an anterior anal fissure means, why it is more common in women, how it differs from posterior fissures, and what people with this pattern commonly experience.
Read guide →Anxiety, stress, and fissures: the cycle
How anxiety and anal fissures feed each other — the pain-spasm-fear loop, BM anxiety, fear of eating, and what people report helps break the cycle.
Read guide →Applying Rectogesic: practical tips
Practical guidance for applying Rectogesic (GTN ointment) for anal fissure — how to manage the application process, reduce discomfort, and handle common side effects.
Read guide →Atypical anal fissure explained
What makes a fissure 'atypical,' why location and appearance matter, and what further investigation might be needed when a fissure does not follow the usual pattern.
Read guide →Best cushion for a fissure
A comparison of cushion types for sitting with an anal fissure — donut, memory foam, coccyx, and inflatable options, plus what people actually find works.
Read guide →Best diet for healing a fissure
What to eat and drink to support anal fissure healing — fibre guidance, hydration, foods to favour, foods people commonly avoid, and how to build sustainable habits.
Read guide →Bidet for anal fissure
Whether a bidet or peri bottle helps with anal fissure healing and comfort — what people report, practical tips, and how it fits into a care routine.
Read guide →Blistex for anal fissure relief
Why some people use Blistex lip balm for anal fissure symptoms, what they report about it, and what to consider before trying it yourself.
Read guide →Botox and fissurectomy together
Why some surgeons combine botox with fissurectomy for chronic anal fissure, how the combined approach works, and what people describe about recovery.
Read guide →Botox didn't work: what now
What to do when botox does not heal your fissure — understanding why, the options that remain, and how to navigate the next conversation with your surgeon.
Read guide →Botox for anal fissure explained
How botox (botulinum toxin) injection works for chronic anal fissures — the procedure, recovery, success rates, and what to expect.
Read guide →Botox for fissure side effects
A comprehensive look at botox side effects for anal fissure treatment — what people report about pain, bruising, temporary incontinence, incomplete response, and more.
Read guide →Botox for fissure: success rates
What the evidence says about botox success rates for anal fissure — published figures, what influences outcomes, and how to interpret the numbers for your situation.
Read guide →Botox for fissure: what people report
What botox treatment for chronic anal fissure involves, what people report about the procedure and recovery, effectiveness patterns, and when it does not work.
Read guide →Botox incontinence risk: the research
What the research and patient accounts say about incontinence risk from botox injection for anal fissure — how common it is, what it feels like, whether it is permanent, and how it compares to LIS.
Read guide →Botox injections for fissure: the day
A practical guide to the day of botox injections for anal fissure — what the injections feel like, how long it takes, anaesthesia options, and what to expect immediately after.
Read guide →Botox vs LIS surgery for fissure
A balanced comparison of botox injection and LIS surgery for chronic anal fissure — success rates, risks, recovery, and how to decide.
Read guide →Botox vs topical treatment for fissure
Comparing botox and topical treatments for anal fissure — how they work, what people describe about each, and how the decision is usually made.
Read guide →Botox wearing off: signs and next steps
What people describe when botox for an anal fissure starts to wear off — the timeline, the signs, and the options available.
Read guide →Can a fissure heal on its own
Whether anal fissures can heal without treatment, what determines the outcome, and when self-care is enough versus when you need more.
Read guide →Can diarrhoea cause a fissure
How diarrhoea can cause or worsen an anal fissure — the mechanism, why it is overlooked, and what to do if frequent loose stools are part of your fissure picture.
Read guide →Can stress cause an anal fissure
How stress relates to anal fissures — the connection between tension, the pelvic floor, and fissure development or persistence.
Read guide →Choosing between fissure treatments
A practical guide to the treatment options for anal fissures — from conservative care through to surgery — to help you understand the landscape and prepare for the conversation with your clinician.
Read guide →Chronic fissure: when it does not heal
Understanding chronic anal fissures — why some fissures do not heal, what the sentinel pile is, treatment escalation paths, and the emotional toll people describe.
Read guide →Coconut oil for anal fissure: what people try
An honest look at what people report trying with coconut oil for anal fissures — common uses, what people describe, realistic expectations, and when self-care is not enough.
Read guide →Coconut oil for fissure relief
What people report about using coconut oil for anal fissure symptoms — how they use it, what they describe experiencing, and what the limitations are.
Read guide →Comparing fissure medications
What people describe about trying different medications for anal fissure — GTN, diltiazem, nifedipine, and how the experience of each compares in practice.
Read guide →Compounded medications for fissure
What compounded medications are, why they are used for anal fissures, how they differ from standard prescriptions, and what to expect.
Read guide →Cost of botox for anal fissure
What people can expect regarding the cost of botox injection for an anal fissure — NHS vs private, what is included, and financial considerations.
Read guide →Cycling with an anal fissure
How people manage cycling with an anal fissure — saddle choices, timing, and whether cycling helps or hinders healing.
Read guide →Deciding on fissure surgery
When you are nervous about fissure surgery but exhausted from the pain — how people navigate the decision, what tips the balance, and how to prepare emotionally.
Read guide →Diet and stool tips for fissures
What to eat, what to avoid, and how to keep stools soft when you have an anal fissure — practical patterns from thousands of experiences.
Read guide →Diltiazem cream for fissure
What to expect when using diltiazem cream for an anal fissure — how it works, the typical experience, common side effects, and practical tips for getting the most from treatment.
Read guide →Diltiazem rash: what to do
What to do if you develop a rash from diltiazem cream for an anal fissure — what people describe, when to stop, and how to manage the reaction.
Read guide →Diltiazem side effects and how to manage them
What people report about diltiazem cream side effects for anal fissures — skin reactions, other effects, and practical tips for managing them.
Read guide →Early days after LIS surgery
What the first few days after lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) surgery are actually like — pain patterns, first bowel movements, and what people describe as normal.
Read guide →Epsom salt bath for anal fissure
Should you add Epsom salt to your sitz bath for an anal fissure? What people report about plain water vs Epsom salt, how to use it, and what to avoid.
Read guide →Exam under anaesthesia explained
What an examination under anaesthesia (EUA) involves for anal and rectal conditions — why it is done, what happens, and what to expect before and after.
Read guide →Exercising with an anal fissure
Which exercises people find helpful during fissure healing, which to modify or avoid, and how to return to activity after recovery.
Read guide →Fibre for anal fissure healing
How much fibre people with anal fissures need, the different types available, and practical guidance on building a sustainable fibre intake.
Read guide →Finding support with a fissure
For people who are frightened and feeling alone with an anal fissure — what help is available, how to find it, and why reaching out matters.
Read guide →Fissure after forceps delivery
Why anal fissures are common after forceps and instrumental delivery, how to manage them while caring for a newborn, treatment while breastfeeding, and when they become chronic.
Read guide →Fissure between the buttocks
When a fissure or wound appears between the buttock cheeks rather than at the anal opening — what this could mean and what people describe about this location.
Read guide →Fissure botox during pregnancy
What people ask about botox for a fissure during pregnancy or postpartum — safety considerations, alternatives, and what to discuss with your team.
Read guide →Fissure causes beyond constipation
The causes of anal fissures beyond constipation — diarrhoea, childbirth, medical conditions, and other factors that people may not initially consider.
Read guide →Fissure during pregnancy and postpartum
Why anal fissures occur during pregnancy and after delivery, what safe self-care looks like, when to tell your provider, and what postpartum healing timelines people report.
Read guide →Fissure healed but still in pain
Why pain can persist after an anal fissure has healed — muscle memory, scar tissue, pelvic floor dysfunction, nerve sensitisation, and what people find helps.
Read guide →Fissure healing and relapse patterns
Why fissures often follow a heal-relapse-heal cycle, what triggers relapses, why chronic fissures behave differently from acute ones, when the cycle suggests surgery, and realistic expectations for long-term management.
Read guide →Fissure vs rectal cancer concerns
Understanding the differences between anal fissure symptoms and signs that might warrant investigation for more serious conditions — and when to seek assessment.
Read guide →Fissurectomy vs LIS: how to decide
A clinical comparison of fissurectomy and lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) for chronic anal fissure — which suits which situation, incontinence risk, healing times, success rates, and what surgeons consider when recommending one over the other.
Read guide →Fissurectomy with sphincterotomy
What the combined fissurectomy and sphincterotomy procedure involves, why surgeons perform both together, what recovery looks like when both are done at once, and realistic expectations.
Read guide →Fissurectomy: the procedure explained
A practical guide to what happens on fissurectomy day — preparation, anaesthesia, what the surgeon does, how long it takes, and what to expect before, during, and immediately after.
Read guide →Fissurectomy: what to know
What fissurectomy involves, how it differs from LIS, recovery patterns, and what people report about the combined procedure with botox.
Read guide →Foods to avoid with a fissure
Which foods people with anal fissures commonly find make symptoms worse, and how to build a diet that supports healing without extreme restriction.
Read guide →Gold Bond for anal fissure relief
Can Gold Bond powder or cream help with anal fissure symptoms? What the product is, how people use it, and the important limitations to understand.
Read guide →GTN cream side effects and headaches
What people report about GTN cream side effects for anal fissures — why headaches happen, how to manage them, and when to talk to your doctor about alternatives.
Read guide →GTN ointment for anal fissure
How GTN (glyceryl trinitrate) ointment works for anal fissures — application, common side effects like headaches, what to expect, and when it may not be enough.
Read guide →High sphincter pressure and LIS
What high resting anal sphincter pressure means for fissure treatment, why it often leads to LIS surgery, and what people describe about the decision and outcome.
Read guide →How doctors diagnose a fissure
What happens during a fissure diagnosis — the examination process, what doctors look for, and what to expect at your appointment.
Read guide →How long does a fissure take to heal
Realistic timelines for anal fissure healing — what affects the speed, when to expect improvement, and when to escalate treatment.
Read guide →How long does fissure botox last
How long the effects of botox injection for anal fissure typically last, what happens as it wears off, and what the timeline means for healing.
Read guide →How long to use topical treatment
How long people typically use GTN or diltiazem for an anal fissure, what to expect at different stages, and when to go back to your doctor if things are not improving.
Read guide →How to apply rectal ointment properly
A practical, step-by-step guide to applying rectal ointment — how deep, how much, finger vs applicator, timing around bowel movements, and common mistakes people report.
Read guide →How to apply topical treatments for fissures
Practical guidance on applying diltiazem cream, GTN ointment, and nifedipine for anal fissures — where to apply, how much to use, managing headaches, and common mistakes people report.
Read guide →How to prevent a fissure from coming back
Why fissures retear after healing, the common mistakes that lead to relapse, long-term habits that protect against recurrence, and what to do in the first 48 hours if you suspect a retear.
Read guide →How to relax the anal sphincter
Natural techniques for relaxing the internal anal sphincter — breathing, warm baths, positioning, and other approaches people describe for reducing sphincter tension.
Read guide →How to relax the internal anal sphincter
Why the internal sphincter tightens, what people describe doing to ease it, and when self-care techniques need medical support — a practical overview.
Read guide →How to wipe with an anal fissure
Practical approaches to cleaning after a bowel movement when you have an anal fissure — gentler alternatives, what to avoid, and what people find works best.
Read guide →Incontinence risk after LIS surgery
What the research says and what people describe about incontinence risk after lateral internal sphincterotomy — gas control, fecal continence, temporary vs permanent changes, risk factors, and how fear of incontinence delays treatment.
Read guide →Is my fissure wound infected?
How to tell if an anal fissure has become infected — what infection looks like, what is normal healing, and when to seek medical attention.
Read guide →Just diagnosed with a fissure
What to expect in your first days after being diagnosed with an anal fissure — common treatment paths, practical first steps, and what questions to ask.
Read guide →Lateral fissure: why location matters
What a lateral anal fissure means, why fissures outside the midline are investigated differently, and what conditions may be associated with this pattern.
Read guide →Laxatives FAQ for fissure care
Common questions about laxatives for anal fissure management — types, timing, how long to take them, and how to find the right balance.
Read guide →Leakage after anal surgery: is it normal?
What people experience with soiling and leakage after anal surgery — what is normal in the early weeks, the difference between temporary and lasting changes, and what to do about it.
Read guide →Levator ani or proctalgia fugax?
How to tell the difference between levator ani syndrome and proctalgia fugax — the symptoms, the duration, the triggers, and why it matters for treatment.
Read guide →Lidocaine for fissure pain relief
How lidocaine is used for anal fissure pain — available forms, how to apply it, what it does and does not do, and practical considerations.
Read guide →LIS surgery preparation and day of
What to expect when preparing for lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) surgery — the days before, the day itself, and the immediate aftermath.
Read guide →LIS surgery: what happens
A step-by-step explanation of what happens during lateral internal sphincterotomy — the preparation, the procedure itself, and what to expect immediately after.
Read guide →Manuka honey for anal fissure
An honest look at manuka honey for anal fissures — the genuine wound-healing science, the limits for fissures specifically, UMF and MGO ratings, and why it does not address sphincter spasm.
Read guide →Metamucil for anal fissure care
How Metamucil (psyllium husk fibre) is used in anal fissure management — what people describe about starting it, adjusting to it, and whether it helps.
Read guide →Miralax for anal fissure
How Miralax (polyethylene glycol) works for stool softening with an anal fissure, what people report, and how it compares to other stool management options.
Read guide →Multiple anal fissures at the same time
What it means to have more than one anal fissure simultaneously — possible causes, how management differs, and when to seek investigation.
Read guide →Neosporin for anal fissure: is it helpful?
Whether Neosporin is helpful for anal fissures, why it is not a standard treatment, when it might be reasonable, and what prescribed topical treatments actually do differently.
Read guide →Nifedipine cream for anal fissure
How nifedipine cream works for anal fissures, what people describe about using it, how it compares to GTN and diltiazem, and common side effects.
Read guide →Painless fissure bleeding explained
Can an anal fissure bleed without pain? What painless rectal bleeding might mean, when a fissure is the cause, and when other causes should be considered.
Read guide →Posterior fissure: why this location
Why most anal fissures occur at the posterior midline, what this means for diagnosis and treatment, and when a different location warrants further investigation.
Read guide →Pre-surgery support and community
The role of community support before fissure surgery — how connecting with others who have been through it helps manage pre-surgery anxiety and set expectations.
Read guide →Preparing for fissure surgery
A practical guide to the weeks before fissure surgery — what to prepare, what to buy, what to ask, and how to set yourself up for the smoothest possible recovery.
Read guide →Preparing for fissure surgery
What to do the day before anal fissure surgery — practical preparation, what to expect, and how people manage the anxiety of the night before.
Read guide →Preparing for LIS as a man
What men describe about preparing for and recovering from LIS surgery — the specific concerns, the practical preparation, and what the experience is like.
Read guide →Psyllium husk for anal fissure
A practical guide to using psyllium husk for anal fissure management — how it works, how to start, and what people commonly report about its effects.
Read guide →Recovery after fissure surgery
A practical guide to the early weeks after anal fissure surgery — what to expect, how to manage pain, when things are normal, and when to contact your surgical team.
Read guide →Recovery after LIS surgery
What to expect during recovery from lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) for chronic anal fissure — pain patterns, bowel movement recovery, incontinence concerns, and when to seek care.
Read guide →Rectogesic for anal fissure
A practical guide to Rectogesic (a brand name for GTN ointment) for anal fissures — what it is, how to use it, common side effects, and what people report.
Read guide →Second botox injection for fissure
What to expect from a second botox injection for an anal fissure — when it is offered, whether it works as well as the first, and what the evidence suggests.
Read guide →Self-dilatation for fissure
What anal self-dilatation involves, why it is sometimes recommended for chronic fissures, and what people describe about the process and outcomes.
Read guide →Self-examining for an anal fissure
What people describe when checking for an anal fissure at home — what you might see, what you cannot see, and why a clinician examination is still important.
Read guide →Sentinel piles with anal fissure
What sentinel piles are, why they form alongside anal fissures, whether they go away on their own, and when removal might be considered.
Read guide →Signs your fissure has healed
How to tell if your fissure is actually healing — what people describe about the process, what "healed" feels like, and when residual symptoms are normal.
Read guide →Sitz bath for fissure: how to do it
A practical guide to sitz baths for anal fissures — how to set one up, how long to soak, when to do it, and what people find works best.
Read guide →Sleeping positions for fissure pain
How sleeping position affects anal fissure comfort, what positions people find most helpful, and strategies for getting through the night.
Read guide →Sphincter relaxation techniques
Non-surgical approaches to relaxing the internal anal sphincter — sitz baths, breathing, warm compresses, and what people report about reducing spasm.
Read guide →Stool softeners for anal fissure
A practical guide to stool softeners for anal fissure management — types, how they work, when to use them, and what people commonly report.
Read guide →Swimming with an anal fissure
Is swimming safe with an anal fissure? What people report about chlorine, salt water, the benefits of low-impact exercise, and practical considerations.
Read guide →Switching between GTN and diltiazem
Why people switch between GTN and diltiazem for anal fissures, what to expect during the transition, whether you need a washout period, and what happens when neither works.
Read guide →Swollen buttock near the anus
What a swollen, painful lump near the anus could mean — including perianal abscess, thrombosed haemorrhoid, and other causes — and when to seek urgent care.
Read guide →Tailbone pain with anal fissure
Why people with anal fissures sometimes experience tailbone or coccyx pain — the connection between pelvic floor tension, fissure pain, and referred pain patterns.
Read guide →The fissure healing cycle
Why fissures heal and come back, what the relapse cycle feels like, and how people break the pattern — based on hundreds of experiences.
Read guide →Thinking about fissure surgery
A framework for weighing surgical options for a chronic fissure — the questions to ask, the factors to consider, and what other people describe about making the decision.
Read guide →Three months after LIS surgery
What life looks like three to four months after lateral internal sphincterotomy — the ongoing recovery, lingering concerns, and patterns people describe at this stage.
Read guide →Toilet posture and fissure healing
How toilet posture affects the anal canal during bowel movements — squatting vs sitting, squatting stools, anorectal angle changes, and how posture adjustments may support fissure healing.
Read guide →Toilet posture and fissures
How toilet posture affects fissure symptoms — why squatting helps, how to use a footstool, and practical tips to reduce straining during bowel movements.
Read guide →Topical treatment not healing: next steps
When GTN or diltiazem cream is not healing your anal fissure, here are the common next steps people consider — from adjusting your routine to escalating treatment.
Read guide →Topical treatments for fissures
What people report about GTN, diltiazem, and other topical treatments for anal fissures — how they work, common side effects, and practical tips.
Read guide →Turmeric for fissure healing
What people report about using turmeric for anal fissure healing — the claims, the evidence, and the practical reality of this commonly discussed supplement.
Read guide →Understanding fissure pain levels
How much do anal fissures actually hurt? A look at the range of pain people describe — from mild stinging to severe spasm — and what influences the intensity.
Read guide →Unusual tearing near the anus
What can cause tearing near the anus, when it is likely a fissure, what other conditions to consider, and when to see a doctor.
Read guide →Vaseline for anal fissure
Does Vaseline (petroleum jelly) help with an anal fissure? What people use it for, how it works as a barrier, and its limits as a treatment.
Read guide →Water intake and fissure healing
Why hydration matters for anal fissure healing, how much water people find helpful, and practical tips for building a sustainable water intake habit.
Read guide →Weightlifting and fissure flares
How weightlifting can aggravate anal fissures, what people describe happening during heavy lifts, and practical approaches to staying active while managing a fissure.
Read guide →Weightlifting with an anal fissure
How to approach weightlifting with an anal fissure — which exercises to modify, how straining affects the fissure, and practical strategies for the gym.
Read guide →What does an anal fissure look like
What people describe about the visible signs of an anal fissure — the appearance of acute vs chronic fissures, sentinel piles, and why visual self-assessment has limits.
Read guide →What happens at a fissure appointment
A step-by-step walkthrough of what to expect at an anal fissure appointment — from the waiting room to leaving with a plan.
Read guide →When fissure treatment feels futile
What to do when you feel like giving up on fissure treatment — the frustration, the options that remain, and why persistence often leads somewhere better.
Read guide →When healing feels impossible
For people who are exhausted, frustrated, and feel like giving up on fissure treatment — what that moment feels like, and where to go from here.
Read guide →When to stop treatment after fissure heals
Guidance on when and how to stop topical treatments, stool softeners, and other measures after an anal fissure has healed — and how to reduce the risk of relapse.
Read guide →When topical treatment stops working
What to do when a topical treatment that was helping your fissure stops being effective — common reasons, adjustments, and next steps.
Read guide →Why fissures keep coming back
Why anal fissures recur after healing, the common patterns that lead to relapse, and what people can do to reduce the chances of recurrence.
Read guide →Witch hazel for fissure relief
Can witch hazel help with an anal fissure? What people use it for, how it works, potential irritation risks, and what the evidence supports.
Read guide →Working and sitting with an anal fissure
Practical guidance for managing fissure pain at work — sitting strategies, cushion options, medication timing, driving, time off for surgery, and whether to tell your employer.
Read guide →Wound discharge after fissure
What discharge or weeping from an anal fissure means, when it is a normal part of healing, when it signals a problem, and how to manage it practically.
Read guide →Yoga poses for fissure relief
Which yoga poses people find helpful during fissure recovery, which to avoid, and how gentle movement can support the healing process.
Read guide →What people have been through
These are composite narratives drawn from multiple anonymized experiences. They represent common patterns, not any single person's story.
Acute fissure: sharp pain after BMs
A composite experience of the first weeks living with acute fissure symptoms — what people commonly report, what they try, and when they seek care.
Read experience →
Advancement flap recovery
What recovery from advancement flap surgery looks like — the wound, the healing, and how people manage the weeks after the procedure.
Read experience →
After botox for anal fissure
What people commonly experience in the days and weeks after botox injection for an anal fissure — the waiting, the changes, and the adjustment period.
Read experience →
Anal spasm after bowel movement
What people describe about the intense spasm and pain after bowel movements with an anal fissure — why it happens, how long it lasts, and what helps.
Read experience →
Anoplasty for anal fissure
What the experience of anoplasty for a chronic anal fissure is really like — why it is recommended, what the procedure involves, and what recovery looks like.
Read experience → Anxiety about bowel movements
How anxiety about bowel movements develops with a fissure and what people find helps — the psychological side of living with chronic pain.
Read experience → Bleeding after LIS surgery
What people describe about bleeding after lateral internal sphincterotomy — the typical amounts, how long it lasts, and when to contact your surgical team.
Read experience → Blood on toilet paper but no pain
What people describe about finding blood on toilet paper without any pain — the common causes, what it typically means, and when to get it checked.
Read experience →
Body image and anal conditions
How anal conditions affect the way people feel about their bodies — the shame, the adjustment, and the path toward acceptance that people commonly describe.
Read experience →
Botox for fissure during pregnancy
What people describe about considering or having botox for an anal fissure during pregnancy — the questions, the decisions, and the alternatives.
Read experience → Botox for fissure: the first few weeks
A detailed look at what the first few weeks after botox for an anal fissure are really like — the day-by-day reality, the waiting, and the small shifts people notice.
Read experience →
Botox for fissure: trying again
What people experience when the first round of botox does not fully resolve their fissure — the decision between a second injection and surgery, and how people navigate it.
Read experience → Botox for fissure: week by week
A week-by-week account of what botox recovery for an anal fissure actually looks like — from the first uncertain days through the months of healing.
Read experience →Botox with hemorrhoid treatment
What recovery looks like when botox for a fissure is combined with hemorrhoid treatment — the overlapping symptoms, the dual healing timeline, and what people wish they had known.
Read experience →
Breastfeeding and fissure treatment
What people describe about managing an anal fissure while breastfeeding — which treatments are commonly used, which need discussion, and practical strategies.
Read experience →
Bright red blood when wiping
The experience of noticing bright red blood on toilet paper — the panic, the googling, the common causes, and what people learn when they finally see a doctor.
Read experience → Burning sensation after bowel movement
What people describe about the burning sensation that follows a bowel movement — the patterns, the duration, and what helps.
Read experience → Can you feel a fissure with your finger
What people describe when trying to feel for an anal fissure — what is possible, what is not, and why touching the area is usually best left to a clinician.
Read experience →
Chronic fissure that won't heal
What to consider when a chronic anal fissure is not responding to treatment — the common reasons, the next steps, and how to make decisions about escalation.
Read experience → Chronic fissure treatment journey
A composite account of the path people describe from an acute fissure that does not heal into the world of chronic fissure treatment options.
Read experience →Coming home after LIS surgery: the first days
What people commonly describe about the first days at home after lateral internal sphincterotomy — the relief, the uncertainty, the first bowel movement, and finding a new routine.
Read experience →
Continence changes after LIS surgery
A composite account of what continence changes look like after lateral internal sphincterotomy — from the fear beforehand to the reality of recovery, drawn from 31+ anonymised accounts.
Read experience → Coping with fissure pain mentally
How people manage the mental and emotional toll of chronic fissure pain — the anxiety, the dread, and the strategies that help protect mental health.
Read experience → Day surgery for anal fissure
What day surgery for an anal fissure is like — arrival, the procedure, going home, and what the first few days of recovery look like.
Read experience → Depression and chronic anal fissure
The emotional reality of living with a chronic anal fissure — how persistent pain affects mental health and what helps people cope.
Read experience →Double fissurectomy and botox: what to expect
What people describe about having fissurectomy on two fissures with botox injection — the procedure, the recovery, and managing two wounds at once.
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Driving after LIS surgery
When people typically return to driving after LIS surgery, what makes it comfortable or uncomfortable, and how to know when you are ready.
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Exercise after LIS surgery
When people typically return to exercise after lateral internal sphincterotomy, what activities they try first, and how to gauge readiness without pushing too hard.
Read experience → Fear of bowel movements with a fissure
How people describe the fear and dread of bowel movements when living with an anal fissure — the avoidance cycle and what helps break it.
Read experience → Fear of fissure surgery
Managing the anxiety before fissure surgery — what people describe about the fear, how they worked through it, and what helped them move forward.
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Feeling isolated with a fissure
The emotional isolation of living with an anal fissure — why it happens, how people cope, and the relief of finding others who understand.
Read experience → First bowel movement after LIS
What the first bowel movement after lateral internal sphincterotomy is really like — the anxiety, the preparation, and what people actually experience.
Read experience → Fissure after childbirth
A composite experience of developing an anal fissure after giving birth — the shock, the struggle of caring for a newborn while in pain, and the isolation of a hidden recovery.
Read experience → Fissure and relationships
How people navigate telling partners about their anal fissure, the impact on intimacy and sex life, the isolation of a condition you cannot easily explain, and how couples adapt together.
Read experience → Fissure anxiety and mental health
How living with an anal fissure affects mental health — the bowel movement dread, fear of eating, pre-surgery terror, and the anxiety-spasm cycle that keeps the condition alive.
Read experience → Fissure bleeding: how much is normal
What people describe about bleeding from an anal fissure — the typical patterns, what amounts are considered normal, and when bleeding should prompt a call to your doctor.
Read experience → Fissure botox recovery timeline
What the first days and weeks after botox for a fissure look like, based on patterns from many recovery accounts.
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Fissure botox side effects
What people report when botox for a fissure causes unexpected problems — temporary incontinence, worsened pain, and other side effects.
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Fissure botox vs LIS surgery
The decision journey between botox and LIS for a chronic fissure — people who tried botox first, what happened, and why some moved to surgery.
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Fissure botox with fissurectomy
What people report about combined procedures — botox with fissurectomy and skin tag removal — including recovery and outcomes.
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Fissure care with a newborn
What it is like to manage an anal fissure while caring for a newborn — the sleep deprivation, the impossible self-care routines, and how people find a way through.
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Fissure during pregnancy: safe options
What people describe about managing an anal fissure during pregnancy — which treatments are considered safe, which to avoid, and how to cope with limited options.
Read experience → Fissure from pushing during labour
What it is like to develop an anal fissure during labour — how people describe the experience, when they realise what has happened, and how they manage recovery alongside newborn care.
Read experience → Fissure healed then came back
Why anal fissures recur after healing, what triggers relapse, and how people describe navigating the frustration of a fissure that returns.
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Fissure itching during healing
Why anal fissure itching happens as the fissure heals, what people describe about the timing and intensity, and practical ways to manage it without disrupting healing.
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Fissure pain after healing
Why some people experience lingering pain after an anal fissure has healed — possible causes, what is normal, and when to seek reassessment.
Read experience → Fissure pain at night
What night-time anal fissure pain is like, why it can feel worse at night, and the strategies people use to get through the difficult hours.
Read experience → Fissure treatment while pregnant
What people describe about managing an anal fissure during pregnancy — which treatments are commonly considered safe and what changes.
Read experience →Fissurectomy and botox: a recovery diary
What people commonly describe about day-to-day recovery after combined fissurectomy and botox — the daily progression, setbacks, and milestones.
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Fissurectomy recovery
What the first days and weeks after fissurectomy feel like — the wound, the healing, and how people manage the recovery.
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Fissurectomy recovery tips
Practical tips and strategies from people who have recovered from fissurectomy — what helped, what to avoid, and how to manage the weeks of healing.
Read experience → Fissurectomy vs LIS surgery
How people weigh fissurectomy against lateral internal sphincterotomy — the factors, the trade-offs, and what recovery looks like for each.
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Fissurectomy with skin tag removal
What people describe about having a fissurectomy and skin tag removal done together — the procedure, recovery, and what to expect when both are addressed at once.
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Fissurectomy wound healing timeline
What fissurectomy wound healing actually looks like week by week — how the wound changes, what is normal, and when people start to see progress.
Read experience → Flying after LIS surgery
When people typically feel ready to fly after LIS surgery, what to plan for, and practical tips for making air travel comfortable during recovery.
Read experience → From GTN to LIS: a treatment journey
What it is like to go through weeks of GTN treatment for an anal fissure and ultimately decide on LIS surgery — the frustration, the turning point, and the relief of having a plan.
Read experience → Healing timeline: acute vs chronic
What the healing timeline looks like for acute versus chronic anal fissures — how the experiences differ and what each path typically involves.
Read experience → How long until a fissure heals
What people describe about fissure healing timelines — acute vs chronic, the factors that affect duration, and why healing is rarely as straightforward as expected.
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LIS incontinence risk: the evidence
What the evidence says about incontinence risk after LIS surgery — the real numbers, what people experience, and how to have this conversation with your surgeon.
Read experience → LIS surgery and gas control
What people describe about gas control after lateral internal sphincterotomy — the changes, the timeline, and whether it resolves.
Read experience → LIS surgery diary: week by week
A detailed diary-style account of LIS surgery recovery — the daily reality, the milestones, and the gradual return to normal life over weeks and months.
Read experience →LIS surgery recovery week by week
A week-by-week look at what people experience during recovery from lateral internal sphincterotomy — the physical changes, the milestones, and what each stage typically involves.
Read experience → LIS surgery success rates and outcomes
What the evidence says about LIS surgery success rates, what 'success' actually means in practice, and how real-world outcomes compare to clinical expectations.
Read experience → LIS surgery wound care
How to care for the wound after lateral internal sphincterotomy — cleaning, sitz baths, what discharge is normal, and when to contact your surgeon.
Read experience → LIS surgery: decision and recovery
A composite account of what people experience when deciding on lateral internal sphincterotomy and the recovery journey that follows.
Read experience → LIS surgery: the full journey
The full emotional arc of lateral internal sphincterotomy — from failed conservative treatment through the decision, the NHS wait, the day itself, and the months after.
Read experience → Living with a chronic fissure
Daily coping strategies for living with a chronic anal fissure — practical routines, emotional management, and what helps people get through.
Read experience →Living with a chronic fissure
What months and years of living with a chronic anal fissure actually look like — the cycles of healing and relapse, the treatments tried, and how people find their way through.
Read experience → Living with a fissure for years
What it is like to deal with a fissure for months or years — the emotional toll, the treatment fatigue, and how people eventually find a path forward.
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Maintaining healing after fissure
What people describe about the long-term habits that help prevent fissure recurrence — the routines that stick and the lessons learned.
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Managing a fissure at work
A composite experience of what it is like to work through an anal fissure — sitting pain, bathroom strategy, medication at work, the question of disclosure, and what people found that helped.
Read experience → Mindfulness for fissure pain
How people use mindfulness and breathing techniques to manage fissure pain — what works, what does not, and the realistic role of mind-body approaches.
Read experience → Muscle spasm and fissure connection
How sphincter muscle spasm drives the anal fissure cycle — what people experience, how it feels, and the strategies that help break the pattern.
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Navigating chronic fissure treatment
What the long road of chronic fissure treatment looks like — the creams, the setbacks, the emotional toll, and the decision points that shape the journey.
Read experience → Pain after BM that lasts for hours
What people describe about post-bowel-movement pain that lasts for hours with an anal fissure — the pattern, what causes it, and what helps.
Read experience → Pain after fissure heals
What people experience when a fissure has healed but pain continues — understanding why, what helps, and when to seek further evaluation.
Read experience → Pain after fissurectomy: what's normal
What normal pain after fissurectomy looks like — the timeline, the types of pain, and when to be concerned versus reassured.
Read experience → Pain after LIS surgery: how long it lasts
What different types of pain people experience after lateral internal sphincterotomy, how intense each one is at different stages, and when the pain resolves.
Read experience → Post-surgery recurrence anxiety
What the fear of fissure recurrence after surgery is really like — the hypervigilance, the false alarms, and how people describe learning to move forward.
Read experience → Postpartum anal pain: seeing a doctor
When postpartum anal pain warrants a doctor's visit — the signs that distinguish normal recovery from something that needs specific attention.
Read experience → Postpartum constipation and fissures
How people navigate postpartum constipation and the risk of developing an anal fissure — prevention strategies, what helps, and when to seek care.
Read experience → Pre-surgery anxiety for LIS
What the waiting period before LIS surgery is really like — the fear, the preparation, and the patterns people describe between scheduling and the operating day.
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Private LIS surgery in the UK
What people describe about getting LIS surgery privately in the UK — the process, the costs, the reasons for choosing private, and how the experience compares to the NHS route.
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Questions for your fissure surgeon
The questions people wish they had asked before fissure surgery — covering the procedure, risks, recovery, and what to expect afterwards.
Read experience → Recurrent fissure: breaking the cycle
What people experience when a fissure keeps coming back — the patterns, the frustration, and the strategies that finally help break the cycle.
Read experience → Returning to work after LIS
What people describe about going back to work after LIS surgery — the timing, the challenges, and the practical strategies that made the transition manageable.
Read experience → Running with an anal fissure
What people experience when running with an anal fissure — when it helps, when it hurts, and how runners adapt their training during recovery.
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Scar tissue after a fissure heals
What scar tissue feels like after a fissure — the lump, the tightness, the confusion about whether it is normal, and when to seek further assessment.
Read experience → Scar tissue after LIS surgery
What people experience with scar tissue after lateral internal sphincterotomy — the hard lump, how it changes over time, and when it becomes a concern.
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Second LIS surgery: when needed
What people experience when a second LIS surgery becomes necessary — how the decision is made, how recovery compares, and what to expect.
Read experience → Sentinel pile after fissure heals
What people experience when a sentinel pile remains after their fissure has healed — the discovery, the decisions, and how people manage the leftover skin tag.
Read experience → Seven years with a fissure
What long-term fissure management looks like over years — the cycles, the decisions, and the strategies people develop when a fissure becomes a chronic companion.
Read experience → Sex after LIS surgery
When people typically feel ready to resume sexual activity after LIS surgery, what to consider, and how to approach the conversation with a partner.
Read experience → Sharp pain during bowel movement
What people describe about experiencing sharp pain during bowel movements — the common patterns, what it might indicate, and the steps people take.
Read experience → Signs your fissure is healing
A composite experience of what fissure healing actually feels like day to day — the ups and downs, the signs of progress, and how people learn to trust the process.
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Sitting with an anal fissure
How people manage sitting with an anal fissure — the cushions, the positions, the workplace strategies, and the mental toll of constant discomfort.
Read experience →Spasms continuing after fissure healed
When the fissure is gone but the spasms are not — what people experience when pain and tightness persist after healing, and what they try next.
Read experience → Swelling after LIS surgery
What swelling after LIS surgery looks like, how long it lasts, and how people manage it — the day-by-day reality of this common post-operative concern.
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The constipation-fissure spiral
A composite experience of the common cycle where constipation triggers a fissure, and fissure pain worsens constipation — and how people work to break it.
Read experience → The fissure healing cycle
Why fissure healing is not a straight line — the setbacks, the good days followed by bad days, and what people learn about the non-linear nature of recovery.
Read experience → Throbbing pain after passing stool
What throbbing anal pain after a bowel movement feels like, what commonly causes it, and how people manage the post-bowel-movement pain cycle.
Read experience → Topical treatment daily life
A composite experience of what daily life looks like when using prescribed topical treatments for an anal fissure — the routines, the side effects, the uncertainty, and the practical tips people share.
Read experience → Waiting for fissure surgery
How to manage an anal fissure while waiting for surgery — practical strategies, emotional coping, and what people describe about the waiting period.
Read experience →Waiting for LIS surgery
What the waiting period before lateral internal sphincterotomy feels like, and how the first weeks of recovery compare to the anticipation — a composite diary from many experiences.
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Walking with an anal fissure
What people describe about walking and movement with an anal fissure — does it help or make things worse, and how do people adapt their activity levels?
Read experience → What a healed fissure looks like
What people describe about how a healed anal fissure looks and feels — the signs of healing, what changes, and what may remain permanently.
Read experience → When fissure botox does not work
What people experience when botox for a fissure fails — repeat injections, next steps, and how people move forward after botox does not heal their fissure.
Read experience → When one surgery isn't enough
A composite account of what people experience when they face a second or third procedure for a chronic anal fissure — repeat LIS, LIS after failed botox, fissurectomy after LIS, and other combinations.
Read experience → When your fissure comes back
What people experience when a fissure returns after healing — the emotional setback, understanding why, and finding a path forward.
Read experience →Common questions
How common are anal fissures?
Anal fissures are one of the most common conditions seen by colorectal specialists. They affect people of all ages but are particularly common in young adults and in people who experience constipation or diarrhea.
What is the difference between an acute and a chronic fissure?
An acute fissure is a recent tear that often heals with conservative care within several weeks. A chronic fissure is one that has not healed after roughly 6 to 8 weeks and may develop features like a skin tag or visible muscle fibers. Chronic fissures sometimes need medical treatment beyond self-care.
Can fissures come back after healing?
Yes, recurrence is fairly common, particularly if the factors that contributed to the original fissure — like constipation or straining — are still present. Many people find that maintaining a long-term fiber and hydration routine helps reduce the chance of recurrence.
What treatments exist beyond self-care?
When conservative measures are not enough, doctors may prescribe topical treatments to relax the anal muscle and improve blood flow to the area. For chronic fissures that do not respond, procedures such as botulinum toxin (commonly known as Botox) injection or lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) surgery may be discussed. We have guides covering both.
Is it normal to dread going to the bathroom?
Many people with fissures describe exactly this. The anticipation of pain can lead to avoiding or delaying bowel movements, which unfortunately tends to make stools harder and the fissure worse. This cycle is very common and worth discussing with a doctor if it is affecting your daily life.
Related conditions
Hemorrhoids (piles)
Swollen blood vessels in or around the anus and rectum. One of the most common colorectal conditions.
Learn more →IBS-related colorectal symptoms
Colorectal symptoms that overlap with or are driven by irritable bowel syndrome.
Learn more →Post-procedure recovery
Recovery experiences after common colorectal procedures including surgery, banding, and drainage.
Learn more →Sentinel pile / skin tag
A small tag of skin near the anus, often forming near a chronic fissure or after hemorrhoids.
Learn more →When to seek care
If you experience any of the following, seek urgent medical care:
- Severe pain that is getting worse rather than better
- Heavier or persistent bleeding that does not settle
- Fever alongside anal pain or swelling
- Symptoms lasting beyond 6 to 8 weeks without improvement
- Significant swelling or a lump near the fissure
- Pain that is preventing you from eating, sleeping, or going about daily activities