10 Min
In Sponsored education
Learn from key healthcare brands with a range of sponsored education to help your understanding of how to use and advise on products in the pharmacy.
Bookmark
Anorectal conditions
Anorectal conditions are common issues that your customers may ask for advice about. While most of these conditions aren’t usually a cause for concern, they can cause pain and discomfort, as well as embarrassment and worry.
Haemorrhoids, pruritus ani, proctitis and anal fissures are some of the common anorectal conditions your customers may seek advice for.
> CLICK ON THE CONDITIONS BELOW to find out more about the symptoms and risk factors for each.
Pruritus ani is intense itching or irritation around the anus2
SYMPTOMS2
An intense itching sensation around the anus
Pruritus ani is a symptom of other conditions as well as a condition in its own right
RISK FACTORS2
Haemorrhoids or anal fissures
Skin conditions e.g. dermatitis
Infectious disease e.g. threadworms
Haemorrhoids (piles) are swollen blood vessels. They appear as lumps, or swellings, inside and around the anus1
SYMPTOMS1
An itchy anus
Pain around the anus
Bright red blood after passing stools
Still feeling like a bowel movement is needed, even after passing stools
Passing mucus
Lumps around the anus
RISK FACTORS1
Constipation
Pushing too hard when passing stools
Heavy lifting
Pregnancy
Proctitis is inflammation of the rectum, which causes swelling and irritation3
SYMPTOMS3
Rectal pain
Rectal bleeding
Frequent or continuous feeling of needing to pass a stool
Passing mucus
Pain on the left side of the belly
Feeling of fullness in the rectum
Diarrhoea
Pain with bowel movements
RISK FACTORS3
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Can be a side effect of radiation treatment
Anal fissures are small tears in the anus4
SYMPTOMS4
Severe, sharp pain when passing stools
Bright red blood on toilet paper after passing stools
Burning pain after passing stools that may last for several hours
RISK FACTORS4
Constipation
Chronic diarrhoea
Pregnancy & childbirth
IBD such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as syphilis or herpes
Product information is available at the end of the module
Content developed by Church & Dwight in association with CIG Healthcare Partnership.
© 2026 CIG Healthcare Partnership
A035 June 2026