Read up on Anal tears treatment options at Consumer Reports Health.

Anal tears

Key points about treatments

If you have an anal tear that won't heal with simple treatments, your doctor may suggest some ointment or an injection. If these don't work, you may need a small operation. All of these treatments aim to relax the muscle in your anus.

To read more about the simple treatments, see What can I do to help my anal tear heal?

Key points about treating anal tears

An ointment that contains nitroglycerin helps heal tears in some people. Doctors usually advise trying this treatment first. But taking nitroglycerin can cause headaches.
Drugs called calcium channel blockers may also help. But we need more research to show how well these work.
Botox injections may also help. They may work better than nitroglycerin treatment. But again, we need more research to be sure.
Surgery to relax the anal muscle works well for tears. As with all operations, there's a small risk of complications. There's a small chance that you'll lose control over your bowels for a few weeks after the operation.

This information was last updated on Nov 06, 2008

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
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