What is distal proctitis?
Robert Miller
Published Feb 22, 2026
What is distal proctitis?
Proctitis is a condition in which the lining tissue of the inner rectum becomes inflamed. The rectum is part of your lower digestive system. It connects the last part of your colon to your anus. Stool passes through your rectum as it exits your body. Proctitis can be painful and uncomfortable.
Does proctitis turn into colitis?
With treatment, proctitis usually runs a course with periodic mild to severe episodes of symptoms. The inflammation spreads beyond the rectum in only 10 to 30% of individuals affected with proctitis. Less than 15% of individuals with ulcerative proctitis will develop chronic ulcerative colitis.
Is proctitis serious?
There can be problems as a result of proctitis, especially if it goes untreated. Some complications include severe bleeding, anemia, ulcers, and fistulas. You may develop fistulas — tunnels that run from inside the anus to the skin around it.
What is proctitis caused by?
Proctitis is inflammation of the lining of the rectum, the lower end of the large intestine leading to the anus. Common causes of proctitis are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), non-STD infections, anorectal trauma, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, radiation therapy, and antibiotic use.
What is the difference between colitis and proctitis?
colitis. Proctitis generally refers to temporary rectal inflammation or chronic inflammation as one part of a larger condition. If people only have inflammation in the rectum, it is proctitis. If inflammation is in the rectum and colon, it is colitis.
What is a proctitis?
Overview. Proctitis is inflammation of the lining of the rectum. The rectum is a muscular tube that’s connected to the end of your colon. Stool passes through the rectum on its way out of the body.
What is the cure for proctitis?
Medications are given in pill, suppository or enema form. They include sucralfate (Carafate), mesalamine (Asacol HD, Canasa, others), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) and metronidazole (Flagyl). These medications can help control inflammation and reduce bleeding.
Can proctitis heal on its own?
Mild forms of proctitis, which often go away on their own or by using creams and foams, do not need long-term medication. People with more severe forms of proctitis, such as proctitis caused by gonorrhea, often do not respond as well to treatment.
How do you get rid of proctitis?
Treatment may include:
- Medications to control rectal inflammation. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications, either by mouth or as a suppository or enema, such as mesalamine (Asacol HD, Canasa, others) — or corticosteroids — such as prednisone (Rayos) or budesonide (Entocort EC, Uceris).
- Surgery.
How long do proctitis flares last?
Proctitis caused by injury to your anus or rectum Healing most often occurs in 4 to 6 weeks. Your doctor may recommend antidiarrheal medicines and pain relievers.
What are the symptoms of proctitis?
Proctitis signs and symptoms may include:
- A frequent or continuous feeling that you need to have a bowel movement.
- Rectal bleeding.
- Passing mucus through your rectum.
- Rectal pain.
- Pain on the left side of your abdomen.
- A feeling of fullness in your rectum.
- Diarrhea.
- Pain with bowel movements.
How long does proctitis take to heal?
Proctitis caused by injury to your anus or rectum When injury to your anus or rectum is the cause of your proctitis, you should stop the activity causing the injury. Healing most often occurs in 4 to 6 weeks. Your doctor may recommend antidiarrheal medicines and pain relievers.