Rectal Tenesmus

Rectal tenesmus (Latin, from Greek teinesmos, from teinein to stretch, strain) is a feeling of incomplete defecation. It is experienced as an inability or difficulty to empty the bowel at defecation, even if the bowel contents have already been excreted. It is frequently painful and may be accompanied by involuntary straining and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Tenesmus has both a nociceptive as well as a neuropathic component, and is usually accompanied by intense patient anxiety.

Vesical tenesmus is a similar condition, experienced as a feeling of incomplete voiding despite the bladder being empty.

Often, rectal tenesmus is simply called tenesmus. The term rectal tenesmus is a retronym to distinguish defecation-related tenesmus from vesical tenesmus.

Tenesmus is a closely related topic to obstructed defecation.