Rectal STI (proctitis)

Overview

Rectal STIs can cause pain, discharge, bleeding, or no symptoms.

Testing is advised for people who have receptive anal sex.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Rectal pain or discharge
• Rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding after anal sex

Less common

• Feeling of needing a bowel movement

When to get medical care

Causes

STIs.

Does it spread or run in families?

• Yes, it can spread from person to person.
• How it spreads: sex or touch.
• Condoms lower the risk. Sex partners should be tested and treated too.

Diagnosis

Tests.

Tests

Tests, if needed:

• Rectal swabs:

Treatment

Treat.

Self-care

• Condoms
• Avoid sex until treatment is done

Medicines

Medicines that may help:

OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional. Medicine names here are examples, not a full list.

Prevention

• Condoms

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to a sexual health clinic, an OB-GYN, or a urologist; your local health department can test for free or low cost.

Back to school, work, or sports

• You can go to school and work as usual.
• Don't have sex until you and your partners finish treatment and your doctor says it's OK.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Men who have sex with men: Routine testing advised.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Some infections can pass to the baby during pregnancy or birth. Tell your provider if you've been exposed.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Curable.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

What to bring

• A list of your medicines and supplements
• Notes on when symptoms started and what makes them better or worse

Questions to ask

• Should my partner be tested?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Rectal STI (proctitis)