Definition & Facts for Proctitis

What is proctitis?

Proctitis is inflammation of the lining of your rectum. Depending on the cause, proctitis may happen suddenly and last a short time or may be long lasting.

Who is more likely to develop proctitis?

You are more likely to develop proctitis if you have

• engaged in anal sex with a person infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
• infections such as STDs and foodborne illnesses
• an inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• had radiation therapy to your pelvic area or lower abdomen, due to certain types of cancers
• injured your anus or rectum
• taken certain antibiotics

Men are more likely than women to get acute proctitis. Adults are more likely than children to get acute proctitis.¹

What are the complications of proctitis?

If your proctitis isn’t treated or doesn’t respond to treatment, you may have complications, including

• abscesses—painful, swollen, pus-filled areas caused by infection
• chronic or severe bleeding that can lead to anemia
• fistulas—an abnormal passage, or tunnel, between two organs or between an organ and the outside of the body
• rectal stricture—an abnormal narrowing of your rectum
• ulcers—sores in the lining of your intestines

References