Assisting The Process Of Bowel Movements By Pushing. What Are We Pushing Against? Have Hemorrhoids

Posted on Sat, 8 Sep 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 8 Sep 2012 Answered on

Sat, 29 Sep 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : During attempted bowel movements, I sometimes have to assist the process by pushing. Even the pushing is not always successful. If possible I would like to know, "What are we pushing against".
An answer to that question would help me to understand the problem much better.
I do have hemorrhoids. Could I be pushing against the hemorrhoids?
I'm new with you people and I appreciate the quality of your organization. Thank You.

Answered by Dr. Sudhir (22 minutes later)

Hello,

Your are actually pushing against anal sphincter and anal mucosa.So even hemorrhoids are getting pushed.

You can try laxatives, stool softeners or enemas to avoid this.

Please ask if there are doubts.Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir (9 minutes later)

You say I am pushing against anal sphincter.
Does anal sphincter change in size?
If so, does it sometimes get smaller so pushing is unnecessary? or easier?

Answered by Dr. Sudhir (7 hours later)

Yes, you are pushing against anal sphincter and anal mucosa.It opens up while passing stools and remains closed rest of the times.There is a limit to extent to which it can open.It's not that when anal sphincter is incompletely open that you need to push.You need to push when stools are hard,larger or intestine is unable to push them out on there own.So its not the size of sphincter that is causing this, but other factors.

Please ask if there are doubts.Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar