In the meanwhile the most likely reason for this is an anal fissure. This is a fairly common, painful condition in which the lining of the anal canal is torn. An anal fissure is caused by constipation or a forceful bowel movement, though a tight anal muscle also may be a contributing factor. Once the skin is torn, each subsequent bowel movement can be painful, and the pain often is severe. The amount of bleeding that occurs with an anal fissure is small and usually is noticed in the toilet bowl or on the toilet paper as bright red in color. The symptoms of an anal fissure are commonly mistaken for hemorrhoids, but hemorrhoids generally do not cause pain with bowel movements.

Self-help treatment options:

* Apply petroleum jelly to the anus
* See your chemist for advice on ointments specific for anal pain
* Take regular sitz (salt bath) baths, which involves sitting in a shallow bath of warm salty water for around 20 minutes
* Use baby wipes instead of toilet paper
* Shower or bathe after every bowel motion
* Drink six to eight glasses of water every day.