A doctor has shared possible causes behind the pesky symptom
Look, it may not be sexy, yet many of us have, at one point or another, experienced something known as ‘lightning bum’.
While we may feel the bolt in our behind and want nothing more but to move on and act like nothing happened, Superdrug Online Doctor’s Hana Patel has shared a little bit about the seriously unpleasant symptom that could actually mean something serious.
And, yes, it’s different to ‘lightning crotch’ – which refers to the same pain but just in the lower pelvis or vagina – because this pain can be felt in both these areas, and the tailbone, rectum, legs, or lower abdomen, the GP shared.
Dr Patel describes the bizarre health phenomenon as a ‘sudden, sharp, electric shock-like pain in and around the rectum’.
“These sensations often last a few seconds but can definitely be intense enough to stop someone in their tracks,” the doc told the Metro. “Medically, this type of pain often relates to spasms of the anal or pelvic floor muscles.”
As per the expert, lightning bum can even feel similar to a muscle cramp but far more abrupt and severe, before fading away.
The number of us Brits affected by the symptom isn’t exactly clear, given that it’s such an underreported symptom, with people experiencing this pain experiencing it many times per year or month.
Also, it’s reported more often in women than men – as if periods, pregnancy, PMDD, endometriosis, perimenopause and menopause weren’t enough!
“It can affect anyone, but due to gynaecological conditions that cause pain to occur in the rectum, and hormonal fluctuations which influence nerve sensitivity in the pelvis, not to mention pregnancy, it’s reported more often by women,” Dr Patel explains.
She adds that though lightning bum isn’t anything to worry about on its own, it could point to a deeper health problem. Therefore, when in doubt, check it out.
Six main health problems could be leading to these lightning strikes of pain, according to Dr Patel.
Up first is proctalgia fugax which is basically a brief spasm of the anal sphincter that sets off sharp pain that can vanish as quickly as it arrives. It impacts a sizeable chunk of adults (18 percent), usually between 30 and 60.
It isn’t dangerous and often goes unreported yet , if it becomes pesky, warm baths, light stretching, pelvic floor physio or muscle-relaxing medication can help settle things.
Endometriosis can create similar shocks as tissue around the uterus irritates nearby nerves, including those close to the rectum. The pain often flares around menstruation.
Pelvic floor spasms can play a part, too. These muscles tighten without warning and can be eased with targeted physiotherapy while IBS sometimes sits in the background as well.
Nerve Compression Syndrome is another possibility as a trapped nerve can send sharp signals downwards. Treatment can range from physio to medication or, in some cases, surgery.
S3xually transmitted infections round out the list and are worth ruling out if other symptoms appear.
“STIs such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and herpes can infect the rectum directly, leading to inflammation, nerve irritation, or muscle spasm that may cause sharp pain,” Dr Patel adds.
If your lightning bum symptom is persistent, it’s advisable to see your GP, who can identify if one of the above is causing your pain.