Pain after colonoscopy

A colonoscopy involves passing a thin, flexible, tube-like telescope (colonoscope) into your colon via your back passage (rectum) to examine the lining of your colon. Prior to this procedure, your colon must be clear and empty, so you will be asked to fast and given a strong laxative. A colonoscopy can be uncomfortable but any discomfort is temporary. 

Is a colonoscopy painful?

A colonoscopy is unlikely to be painful. However, you will still be given the option of having a sedative beforehand to help relax you and make you drowsy. The sedative is given directly into a vein. Most people do not remember their colonoscopy due to the effects of the sedative.

After-effects of a colonoscopy

Occasionally a colonoscopy can cause mild abdominal cramping and bloating for around a day after the procedure. This feels similar to trapped wind and is caused by the air pumped into your colon during the procedure to help your doctor better see the inside of your colon. 

If your doctor collected a tissue sample (biopsy) or removed tissue (eg a polyp) during your colonoscopy, you may also notice some mild bleeding from your rectum or some blood on your stools. 

In most cases, a colonoscopy doesn’t cause severe pain or discomfort. Any discomfort is outweighed by the benefits of having a colonoscopy ie to detect the underlying cause of any bowel problems or to check for bowel cancer. 

However, in rare cases, a colonoscopy can cause difficulty opening your bowels or passing gas, as well as:

• A hard belly
• Dizziness
• Fever
• Frequent or severe bleeding from your rectum, or frequent or large amounts of blood on your stools when you open your bowels — bleeding that doesn’t stop or bleeding more than a few tablespoons of blood from your rectum are causes for concern
• Severe abdominal cramping or abdominal pain
• Vomiting

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your care team immediately. 

Bowel movements after a colonoscopy

For up to a day after your colonoscopy, you may feel bloated and frequently pass gas to empty the air passed into your colon during your colonoscopy. Walking can help pass the gas out of your body and ease discomfort.

You may not have a bowel movement for several days after your colonoscopy. When you finally do open your bowels for the first time after your colonoscopy, you may notice a little blood on your stools. If you continue to pass blood or blood clots from your rectum, have a fever or persistent abdominal pain, contact your care team.

Colonoscopy recovery and pain management

If you are having a colonoscopy and don’t want to have a sedative, talk to your care team beforehand. They may recommend inserting an IV line before your colonoscopy, so if you do need pain relief quickly, it can be injected straight into your bloodstream.

You can also talk to your doctor beforehand about whether there are any alternatives to a colonoscopy in your particular case. This may include a sigmoidoscopy, a barium enema or a CT colonoscopy.