Published on: 7/4/2025
Why might my bladder hurt when I poop?
Bladder pain during bowel movements may be due to the way the nerves from the colon and bladder interact, or because of conditions that affect both organs.
Explanation
When you feel bladder pain while pooping, it may be because the nerves that go to your bladder and colon can affect each other. This is called cross-organ sensitization, and it means that when your colon is active, it can make your bladder feel pain too.
Here are some possible reasons:
Cross-Organ Sensitization: The nerves of the bladder and colon can talk to each other. If one organ is irritated, it can cause pain in the other. This could happen if you have conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or interstitial cystitis.
Stool-Based Biomarkers: Some studies suggest that certain markers in your stool could be linked to bladder pain. This means that changes in your gut could be related to how your bladder feels.
Nerve Pain: Sometimes, nerve pain from your lower back can cause pain during both urination and bowel movements. This is because the same nerves are involved in both actions.
If you have ongoing pain, it is important to talk to a healthcare provider to find out what is causing it and how you can feel better.
(References)
- Grundy L, & Brierley SM. (2018). Cross-organ sensitization between the colon and bladder. American journal of physiology. Gastrointestinal and liver physiology, 29146678.
- Braundmeier-Fleming A, Russell NT, Yang W, Nas MY, Yaggie RE, Berry M, et al. (2016). Stool-based biomarkers of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain .... Scientific reports, 27188581.
- 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.
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