What are some common causes of pain in the rectum?

Rectal pain is caused by benign conditions, such as hemorrhoids, and serious conditions, such as colon cancer, according to Mayo Clinic. Causes of rectal pain include chronic constipation, proctitis, an anal fissure and fecal impaction, and more causes include Crohn's disease, a perioanal abscess, trauma and a hematoma.

In most cases, the cause of rectal pain is not serious nor cause for concern. Up to 25 percent of Americans have hemorrhoids, whereas cases of rectal cancer are less frequent, as eMedicineHealth explains. However, all new cases of rectal pain should be evaluated by a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis.