Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED because something got stuck in your rectum. When an object gets into the rectum that shouldn't be there, it is called a "foreign body."
The doctor removed the object from your rectum. You can recover at home.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
●Take sitz baths to help with pain or swelling. Soak your anus in 2 or 3 inches of warm water. You can do this for 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes at night. Do not add soap, bubble bath, or anything else to the water. Sitz baths can also help with constipation.
●Try to avoid getting constipation and straining when you have a bowel movement:
•Eat foods with lots of fiber in them. These include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
•Drink plenty of water and other fluids. This helps keep your bowel movements soft.
•Set a regular schedule to try and have a bowel movement. Do not ignore the urge to go.
•Give yourself plenty of time to have a bowel movement.
●Do not put anything in your rectum for a few weeks to let the swelling and bruising heal. After this, use vibrators or other sexual items carefully.
●Do not have anal sex until your symptoms are gone.
When should I get emergency help?
●Return to the ED if:
•You have a fever of 102.2°F (39°C) or higher, or chills.
•You have a lot of bleeding from your rectum.
•Your belly gets very hard or swollen.
•You have sudden or severe pain in your belly or shoulder.
•Your bowel movements are black or tar colored.
•You vomit a lot and can't keep liquids down.
•You have anal or rectal pain that is not getting better after a few days.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.
●Your bowel movements have a small amount (less than 1 teaspoon, or 5 mL) of blood in them.
●You cannot control your bowel movements
●You have trouble having bowel movements normally, or it is painful to have a bowel movement.
●You have new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Removing objects stuck in the rectum (The Basics)
Patient education: How to take a sitz bath (The Basics)
