What could cause pain on the right side when pooping?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Right-side pain when pooping is often caused by faecal retention (constipation), hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or nerve-related issues in the lower back that refer pain to the pelvic area. Less commonly, it may signal conditions like diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or endometriosis in women.

Because the causes range from minor to more serious, identifying the source of your discomfort matters. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you understand what might be behind your pain and guide you toward the right next steps—whether that's a home remedy, a lifestyle change, or a visit to a doctor. It takes just a few minutes and could save you hours of worry.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover causes of right-side pain when defecating Learn if painful bowel movements need care See if symptoms suggest a serious issue Find OTC relief for painful bowel movements Find a doctor for bowel pain Understand home remedies for bowel discomfort Discover what may cause your bowel pain

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Explanation

Pain on the right side during bowel movements can have several causes. One possible reason is faecal retention, where stool builds up in the intestine, causing discomfort and pain. This condition can lead to functional bowel issues, which means the bowel doesn't work properly even though there's no clear disease causing it.

Another potential cause is lumbosacral radicular pain, which is pain that comes from nerves in the lower back area. When these nerves are irritated or compressed, it can cause pain during activities like pooping or peeing. This type of pain might feel sharp or like a shooting pain down the leg.

Understanding these causes can help in determining the right approach to managing the pain. If you're experiencing these symptoms, you can check your symptoms with our free AI-powered tool to get personalized insights about what might be causing your discomfort and when you should seek medical care.

(References)

Raahave D. (2015). Faecal retention: a common cause in functional bowel .... Danish medical journal, 25748875.
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.
Norlin AK, Walter S, Icenhour A, Keita ÅV, Elsenbruch S, Bednarska O, et al. (2021). Fatigue in irritable bowel syndrome is associated with .... Brain, behavior, and immunity, 33249172.

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