Proctitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Proctitis?
A gastroenterologist, a doctor for the digestive system, usually treats proctitis. A surgeon may help if surgery is needed. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is proctitis?
Proctitis is inflammation of the lining of the rectum. It can cause discomfort, bleeding, and the discharge of mucus or pus. It may be acute or chronic.
Experts have named several types. These are IBD proctitis, infectious proctitis, radiation proctopathy, and diversion proctitis. IBD means inflammatory bowel disease.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of proctitis include:
- Tenesmus, a constant urge to have a bowel movement even though your bowel may be empty.
- An urgent need to have a bowel movement.
- Diarrhea or constipation.
- Cramping and pain in your anus, rectum, or the left side of your abdomen. This may occur during bowel movements.
- Passing blood with your stool or rectal bleeding.
- Passing mucus or pus with your stool.
Complications can include severe bleeding.
Causes and who gets it
Different types of proctitis have different causes. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease may cause proctitis. Both are types of inflammatory bowel disease.
Several sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can infect the rectum and cause proctitis. These include gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, and syphilis. Proctitis from an STD is common in people who have anal intercourse. Other infections can also cause it. Examples are Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter, which cause food poisoning. A C. diff infection can too. It most often occurs while a person takes antibiotics or soon after.
Radiation therapy to treat cancer in the pelvic area or lower abdomen may cause radiation proctopathy. In this problem, the lining of the rectum is damaged. There is little or no inflammation. This is why experts prefer the word proctopathy.
People who keep their rectum during ostomy surgery of the bowel may develop diversion proctitis. In an ostomy, the surgeon brings part of the intestine through the belly wall. Waste then leaves the body through that opening, not the rectum.
Other causes include injury to the anus or rectum and side effects of medicines such as NSAIDs. Lack of blood flow to the rectum can also cause it. Risk factors include autoimmune disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease. High-risk sexual practices, such as anal sex, are also risk factors.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors ask about your medical history and do a physical exam. They also order tests to find the cause.
Tests may include blood tests, stool tests, and a rectal culture. Doctors may also use endoscopy tests. These look inside the bowel with a small camera. Examples are colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy. Proctoscopy is another test that may be used.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause. Most of the time, proctitis goes away when the cause of the problem is treated. The outcome is good with treatment.
- Antibiotics are used if an infection is causing the problem.
- Doctors may recommend medicines for proctitis caused by inflammatory bowel disease.
- Corticosteroids or mesalamine suppositories or enemas may relieve symptoms for some people.
- Medicines or endoscopy procedures may treat radiation proctopathy.
- Surgery may treat diversion proctitis.
Doctors may also recommend surgery. This is for complications or for when other treatments do not work. Safer sex practices may help prevent the spread of the disease.
When to see a doctor
Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of proctitis. If you pass blood, mucus, or pus from your rectum, see a doctor right away. Do the same if you have severe abdominal pain.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if bleeding will not stop or if you faint.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either kind of doctor can examine you and order first tests. They can also refer you to a gastroenterologist and help with follow-up care.
Common questions
Is proctitis the same as ulcerative colitis?
No, they are not the same. Proctitis is inflammation of the lining of the rectum. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the large intestine, including the rectum. It may cause proctitis.
Can an infection cause proctitis?
Yes, an infection can cause proctitis. Several sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, and syphilis, can infect the rectum. Other infections, such as C. diff, can too.
Does proctitis go away?
It depends on the cause. Most of the time, proctitis goes away when the cause of the problem is treated. The outcome is good with treatment.
Can proctitis be prevented?
Safer sex practices may help prevent the spread of the disease. Different types of proctitis have different causes.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Proctitis
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - Proctitis
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - Symptoms & Causes of Proctitis
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
