Questions in the Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Forum have been answered by Dr. Kevin Pho who is board certified in Internal Medicine and by doctors from Henry Ford Health System.

Question Title: Unable to have a BM without using an enema

Forum: The Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Forum
Topic: Constipation


I am a 27 year old female who can't have a BM without using an enema. My stool is soft because I drink plenty of liquid, take stool softeners and fiber supplements. I have had many tests such as a colonoscopy, EMG, defagram, colon transient study, upper and lower GI's, ultrasounds, and anal manometry. I have had a colon resection and rectocele repair to try and correct the problem but all of this with no success. I can't remember the name of what I have been diagnosed with, but it comes down to my anal muscle will not relax to let stool pass. When I bear down as to have a BM the muscle contracts instead of relaxing. I have been to biofeedback sessions which did not help and I have been told that this is the only thing that can be done for me. I refuse to give up hope and I also refuse to believe that in this day and age doctors can transplant a heart but no one knows how to get a muscle to relax. PLEASE HELP !!!! Any info about this would be great.

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Dear AM,
I assume that the tests outlined in your posting were normal. The syndrome that you describe, contraction of the anus during defecation, is called anismus. Biofeedback is the recommended therapy. I suggest that you make additional appoinments for biofeedback therapy. You may also want to see a colorectal surgeon, although I do not think that surgery would be an option.

This information i spresented for educational purposes. Always consult your personal physician for specific medical questions.

HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: anismus, constipation
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