What might be the cause of a feeling of fullness in the rectal area?

When the rectum feels full, it might be because the rectum has become enlarged or is holding more stool than usual. In some people, the normal process of filling the rectum can cause a strong feeling of fullness when the rectum is bigger. The rectum normally holds stool until you are ready to go to the bathroom, and when it fills up, nerves send a message that you need to defecate. However, if these nerves, which help you sense the fullness, are not functioning normally —a condition known as rectal hyposensitivity—you might notice unusual or stronger sensations of fullness even if the amount of stool is not large. Other factors, such as the way stool moves in the colon and rectum, can also influence this feeling. If this sensation is bothersome and/or associated with other symptoms, you can use a free symptom checker to help identify potential causes before talking with a doctor.