An NHS doctor has taken to TikTok to issue a warning about a ‘shooting pain’ that could be indicative of a more serious health issue.
Dr Karan Rangarajan, known on TikTok as Dr Karan Rajan and by his handle @dr. karanr, has stressed that while the topic might initially seem humorous, it’s actually no laughing matter.
He urges anyone experiencing this common symptom to consult their GP without delay.
On his podcast ‘Dr Karan Explores’, alongside gynecological surgeon Karen Tang, he discussed the issue: “Stabbing butthole pain. I’ve seen an increased amount of patients in colorectal clinics that I’ve done, who come in with stabbing butthole pain. lightning bum, shooty pain, proctalgia fugax.”
He elaborated on the condition, saying, “It seems like a funny thing when you see videos on it or when someone describes it. It’s a sharp lightning type pain in your crotch or bum hole and it actually ruins the quality of life for a lot of people.”, reports Gloucestershire Live.
When Dr Karan asked the surgeon if it’s a frequent occurrence, particularly affecting women, she confirmed: “Absolutely. It can be a sign of things like endometriosis or pelvic floor spasm.”
She further explained, “Most people have never heard this term proctalgia fugax which is the spasming of the pelvic floor and the rectal muscles. It is a fairly common thing. There can be actual serious medical issues causing that.”
Highlighting the importance of addressing such symptoms, she added, “Rectal pain is one of the most common symptoms of endometriosis and because women’s pain has sometimes been so normalised, people have been kind of conditioned to ‘oh I’m just going to not talk about this’.”
However, she cautions against ignoring the issue, stating: “It’s something that people should bring up with their doctor.”
Patient.info explains that the exact cause is not fully understood, noting: “It is believed to be due to spasms of the muscles of the anus. The muscles here are very strong, as these are the muscles you use to hold your poo in, or relax to let the poo out.”
They add: “Most of the time it is not obvious what has set it off. In some people, it starts after an operation – for example, an injection for piles, or after a hysterectomy. It seems to be more common in people who have IBS, and in people who have anxiety symptoms.”
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
