Proctalgia fugax , a variant of levator ani syndrome , is a severe, episodic pain in the regions of the rectum and anus. It most often occurs in the middle of the night [3] and lasts from seconds to minutes; [4] pain and aching lasting twenty minutes or longer would likely be diagnosed instead as levator ani syndrome. In a study published in involving patients, the attacks occurred in the daytime 33 percent as well as at night 33 percent and the average number of attacks was Onset can be in childhood; however, in multiple studies the average age of onset was Many studies showed that women are affected more commonly than men, [5] but this can be at least partly explained by men's reluctance to seek medical advice concerning rectal pain.

If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Proctalgia fugax refers to the sudden onset of severe pain in the rectum area, which can last from seconds to minutes. The pain is sporadic and can be without warning. The condition is also known as functional recurrent anorectal pain.

This pain is usually caused by intense muscle spasms in or around the canal of the anus. The pain is slightly different in levator ani syndrome, and may last days instead of minutes. Anyone can experience proctalgia fugax. The symptoms of proctalgia fugax are muscles spasms in or around the lower rectum area or in or around the canal of the anus. The pain or spasm happens suddenly, and usually without warning.