What could cause lower back pain that makes you feel like you have to poop?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Lower back pain that feels like the urge to poop is often caused by shared nerve pathways between the lower spine and digestive tract. Common causes include lumbar spine issues compressing nerves that signal the bowels, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, endometriosis, or pelvic floor dysfunction. In some cases, this sensation can also point to more serious conditions like a herniated disc or cauda equina syndrome, which requires urgent care.

Because the possible causes range from minor to serious, identifying what's driving your symptoms matters. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to get personalized insights based on your specific symptoms, understand what may be causing the discomfort, and learn what steps to take next—whether that's home care, seeing a doctor, or seeking immediate help.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn what back pain and poop feeling mean Discover if your symptoms need urgent care Find likely causes of back pain poop See OTC relief for back pain symptoms Find a doctor for back pain concerns Learn home remedies for back pain relief Check if back pain and poop signal illness

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Explanation

Lower back pain that makes you feel like you have to poop can be linked to nerve issues in the lower spine. The lumbosacral area of the spine can affect how we feel pain during activities like going to the bathroom. When nerves in this area are irritated or compressed, it can lead to pain that feels like it's connected to bowel movements.

Another possible cause is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This condition can cause discomfort in the belly and changes in bowel habits. People with IBS might feel pain in their lower back and have an urge to poop because their bowels are more sensitive.

Key Points:

Lumbosacral Radicular Pain: This is pain coming from the lower spine, which can affect how you feel during bathroom activities.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This can cause belly pain and make you feel like you need to poop, sometimes causing lower back pain too.

If you experience these symptoms, you can check your symptoms with our free AI-powered tool to help identify possible causes and determine if you should seek medical care.

(References)

Haddad R, Hentzen C, Le Breton F, Sheikh Ismael S, & Amarenco G. (2019). Lumbosacral radicular pain during micturition, defecation .... European journal of pain (London, England), 30697909.
Watanabe K, Sekiguchi M, Yonemoto K, Nikaido T, Kato K, Otani K, et al. (2017). Bowel/bladder dysfunction and numbness in the sole of .... Journal of orthopaedic science : official journal of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association, 28551282.
Misery L, Duboc H, Coffin B, Brenaut E, Huet F, & Taieb C. (2019). Irritable bowel and sensitive skin syndromes. European journal of pain (London, England), 30076662.

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