How It Feels
An anoscopy, proctoscopy, and
sigmoidoscopy examination can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. You may have
cramping, a feeling of pressure or bloating, or feel a brief, sharp pain when
the scope is moved forward or when air is blown into your colon. As the scope
is moved up the colon, you may feel the need to have a bowel movement and pass
gas. If you are having pain, tell your doctor.
The removal of
tissue samples (biopsy) from the colon does not cause discomfort. A
local anesthetic is used when a biopsy of the anal
area is done. Your anus may be sore for a few days.
You may have
mild gas pains and may need to pass some gas after the procedure. Walking may
help relieve the gas pains.
If a biopsy was done or a polyp
removed, you may have traces of blood in your stool for a few days.