So I'm someone who's been suffering from an anal fissure for months. I had been treating myself for the past 2 weeks and had not been experiencing bad symptoms. Then I had a hard bowel movement and could tell it had probably opened up. Anyway, I ended up doing the self examining in the mirror, and I saw my original fissure which is located at 12 o'clock and is oval shaped. I also then noticed that I have two other anal fissures located on the right side, they are thin slits. Has anyone else experienced having multiple fissures at once? Should I be worried that this is being caused by a more serious condition? I don't have health insurance at the moment. Is it possible the original chronic fissure lead to the development of these other two?

Yes it is not uncommon to have more than one fissure. However, one fissure does not lead to the development of another one. This happens only due to trauma such as constipation or diarrhea. It is best to get yourself seen by a CRS to rule out any other causes. Have you been to a CRS lately?

Hello Loomis.


I have been suffering for years and the past few months have been awful! Well, today I had an idea, I never could get a good "view" of what was happening down there. But I had a brainwave, I used my iphone to take a close up glorious technicolour photo of my anus today and I finally had that answer to all my agony.....

4 deep fissures, one of which looked very scar tissue like and the other three very raw.


I am just miserable!

I have been self managing with ointments etc but I think I need to finally brave the doctor!

No, I've never seen a colorectal doctor. I currently am waiting for my new insurance to start up in a month. I did see a gastrointestinal doctor about a year and a half ago for IBS, and he didn't find any tumors or anything. My guess is my anal fissures come from both having very large stools and very hard/dry ones.

I have a question about sitting while having a fissure. I've been unemployed for the past several months and have been sitting a lot more than I ever have. I've read things where it says sitting too much can irritate or even cause hemorrhoids, but I've never seen it said about fissures. I have read, though, that fissures need better blood flow to heal, which is why nitroglycerin is prescribed. Based off that logic, is it a bad idea to be sitting on my bum all day if I have a fissure? I feel like that would decrease blood flow to the area a lot and not allow for quicker healing. Does that make sense at all?

Yup Loomis, you are right. Anal fissures need blood flow to heal properly so you shouldn't be sitting all day on your bum. Exercising is the best option. Figure out which one works the best for you. For me, walking works the best. Some people here also say that swimming does their AF good. Are you doing sitz baths? I swear the day I have even one sitz bath gives me a painless BM the next day. So do try sitting in warm water twice a day for 10 minutes too. Having said that, I would suggest that you pay a visit to your CRS asap. Nothing can substitute the advice of a good CRS. Happy healing and get that bum to move around. Hope you are feeling better today!

saturnuranus I can't believe you have been having anal fissures for years and have not consulted a doctor for this! Anal fissure is although a minor issue (at least in view of the doctors!), though it definitely needs some expert advice. I would suggest you go check with your CRS asap to get some good, professional advice. Having multiple fissures is not uncommon, I myself seem to be battling two (though my CRS said she only sees one). Secondly, you cannot judge the depth of your AFs all by yourself. I swear my AF felt like a big open wound. I was surprised when my surgeon said, "Hey it's such a small one. Only .5 mm probably" :) So although it may look "deep" to you, it might not be. Only an expert can have the best take on this. Not to scare you or anything, after you have had AFs for so many years and that too so many, I might say ointments may not be the answer for you anymore. I am not saying it is impossible. I am only saying it might be difficult and a looooooooooong process. You might need more conservative treatment like LIS or botox. Pay that visit to your CRS soon and keep us updated. Good luck :)

Buttqueen, I have lived with them for so long, and I always think it's getting better, and then, right back to square one. The thing is, I just think the doctor will go and tell me to live on avocados or something.

And the fact that the idea of surgery down there sounds....well...awful. I have watched too many youtube clips. I think. But you are right, I should go to the doctor. The pain is unbearable.

Yes, that is the thing with them. They heal and re-tear, heal and re-tear, heal and re-tear. This makes them take such a long time to heal, making them chronic and requiring more conservative treatment.
To tell you the truth it is called SURGERY, but it really does not have all the conventional stuff involved in surgery. People tell that the surgery was done and over within 10 minutes! Roam around the forum and read about so many LIS success stories. For some they healed too quickly after surgery, for others the healing period was long and tiring, but they healed eventually because LIS guarantees that. Keep us updated on what your doctor has to say about the whole issue. Good luck!

Saturnuranus,
I agree with ButtQueen that seeing a doctor is a good idea. You might have to have surgery (which, as BQ says, can be very quick and successful) or, you might get relief with creams.

Actually the main reason I'm posting is just to say: I LOVE your name

Scientist thanks! hehe Didn't think anyone would get it.

Today I have booked the doctors appt :)

Hey I don't get your name! What does it mean? Let us know how does it go. Keep us updated and best of luck :)