1. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Quiz on STDs

Proctitis has many causes, but sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are the most common. Gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, anal warts, and chlamydia are the most common cause of sexually transmitted proctitis. Proctitis is increasingly more common in homosexual men and in people engaging in oral-anal or anal intercourse with many partners.

Other causes include the following:

• Nonsexually transmitted infections
• Autoimmune diseases of the colon such as Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis
• Harmful physical agents
  • Chemicals
  • Foreign objects placed in the rectum
  • Trauma to your anorectal area
  • Radiation (a side effect from treatment for another illness)
  • Antibiotics (a side effect from treatment for another illness)

Must Read Articles Related to Proctitis

Colitis Colitis is an inflammation of the colon. There are many cause of colitis, infectious colitis (bacterial or viral), ischemic colitis, inflammatory bowel disease ...learn more >>

Inflammatory Bowel Disease The term inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) covers a group of disorders in which the intestines become inflamed (red and swollen), probably as a result of an immu...learn more >>

Rectal Pain Rectal pain is a common problem. Some common causes of rectal pain include hemorroids, anal fissures, proctalgia fugax, and levator ani syndrome. Diagnosis of r...learn more >>

See the Entire Proctitis Topic Guide »