Why Am I Still Having Rectal Pain After Pregnancy?

Oct 1

Rectal pain after pregnancy can linger longer than anyone warns you about. Whether it shows up as pressure, soreness, or a sharp pinch when you sit or use the bathroom, it’s a sign that your body might still be recovering and that your pelvic floor may need support.

A lot of postpartum people quietly struggle with rectal pain but don’t talk about it. Why? Because it feels weird to bring up. It’s not glamorous. It’s not always tied to obvious injuries. And most people don’t know that pelvic floor therapy can actually help.

Let’s talk about what might be going on.

What Rectal Pain Can Feel Like

Rectal pain can show up in different ways depending on the root cause. Here are some common symptoms:

A deep ache or pressure in the rectum when sitting or standing
Sharp, stabbing, or crampy pain in the tailbone or anal area
Pain when pooping—even if you're not constipated
A sense of “tightness” or not being able to relax the area
Pain during or after sex (especially with certain positions or pressure)
Lingering soreness after childbirth that never fully went away

Why Does Your Rectum Hurt after Pregnancy?

Postpartum rectal pain can come from a few sources, and sometimes they overlap:

1. Pelvic Floor Tension

The muscles around your rectum are part of your pelvic floor. If they’re too tight (hypertonic) or stuck in spasm from strain, trauma, or holding tension, you may feel pressure, aching, or even sharp pain.

This often doesn’t go away with stretching or posture fixes alone. It needs a targeted approach.

2. Constipation & Straining

If you struggled with constipation during or after pregnancy (very common), you may have put excess pressure on those tissues. That strain can lead to muscle guarding or even contribute to small issues like hemorrhoids or anal fissures which can become chronic if not addressed.

3. Perineal Tears or Scar Tissue

If you had a vaginal delivery with tearing or an episiotomy, there may be scar tissue that affects nearby nerves or muscle function even years later.

Scar tissue can restrict movement or cause pulling in awkward ways, especially when sitting or bearing down.

4. Pelvic Organ Prolapse

If things feel “heavy” or like there’s bulging, you might be dealing with a rectocele (a type of prolapse that affects the back vaginal wall and rectum). This can cause pressure, pain, and difficulty fully emptying your bowels.

What can you do?

You don’t have to figure this out on your own—and it doesn’t mean something is seriously wrong. But it does mean your pelvic floor might not be working the way it should.

Pelvic floor therapy can help by:

Releasing tight, overactive muscles (gently…no aggressive stretching)
Teaching your body how to relax and fully let go (especially during bowel movements)
Improving scar tissue mobility
Addressing breath patterns and posture that affect core + pelvic function
Giving you real tools for daily comfort without invasive procedures

If any of this sounds familiar, it’s worth talking to someone who understands how pregnancy changes your body long after birth.

We offer 1:1 pelvic floor evaluations in York and Hanover, with customized treatment plans for rectal pain, pressure, constipation, and pelvic tension.