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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
It's not always clear what causes solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. Doctors believe stress or injury to the rectum may cause rectal ulcers to form.
Examples of situations that could injure the rectum include:
- Attempts to manually remove impacted stool
- Constipation or impacted stool
- Anal intercourse
- Intussusception, which occurs when part of the intestine slides inside another part
- Radiation therapy used to treat cancer in the abdomen or pelvis
- Rectal prolapse, which occurs when the rectum protrudes from the anus
- Straining during bowel movements
- Use of ergotamine suppositories, an anti-migraine treatment
- Uncoordinated tightening of the pelvic floor muscles that slows blood flow to the rectum
References
- Kim DJ, et al. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 2, 2012.
- Edden Y, et al. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome and stercoral ulcers. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. 2009;38:541.
- Bulut T, et al. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome: Exploring possible management options. International Surgery. 2011;96:45.
- Constipation. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation/index.aspx. Accessed March 12, 2012.
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