This is not a substitute for direct care by YOUR doctor. Confirm with your doctor before doing any of the following.

 There are multiple different tests that are specifically used for pelvic floor evaluations. If you have a change in your bowel habits, the first step is to make sure that have undergone a colonoscopy recently to rule out cancer or precancerous conditions.  Once that is completed, the next step is evaluating your pelvic floor function and anatomy. A digital rectal exam and anoscopy can provide a lot of the information your doctor needs to make a diagnosis and to treat the issue. If more information is needed, then the tests listed below can provide more information.

Defecography

Defecography is a test done either with MRI or xrays to evaluate your pelvic floor muscles as you attempt to evacuate contrast from your rectum. To put this more simply, contrast is placed into your rectum by a radiology technician and you poop out the contrast in the MRI machine or in front of an xray. In women sometimes, contrast is also put into the vagina to evaluate this area at the same time. It sounds very strange, but it can provide a lot of helpful information for both diagnosing the problem and treating it.

 MRI Defecography Test: Purpose, Procedure & What to Expect 

 MR defecating proctography | Radiology Reference Article | Radiopaedia.org 

Anorectal Manometry

Anorectal manometry measures how strong the muscles in the rectum are, how well they work to help you poop, and how well they work to hold in poop. A lubricated device about the size of a finger is inserted into your rectum. During the test, you will be instructed to squeeze, relax, and then bear down like you are having a bowel movement. A balloon test is frequently done at the same appointment. This is when a small medical balloon is placed into your rectum and you are instructed to push it out. If you cannot push out the balloon, it is removed.

 Anorectal manometry: what it is used for and how it is performed - THDLAB - COM | THD 

Endoanal Ultrasound

This is an ultrasound done with a special probe that is inserted into your rectum. For pelvic floor patients, this is used to evaluate if there is an injury to the sphincter muscle. If there is an injury, it can be used to evaluate the size of the injury.

 Endoanal Ultrasound of Pelvic Floor | Radiology Key 

 Current update on the role of endoanal ultrasound: a primer for radiologists | Abdominal Radiology 

This is not a substitute for direct care by YOUR doctor. Confirm with your doctor before doing any of the following.

These are for causes of anorectal pain not due to an obvious issue like anal fissures or hemorrhoids. Once a diagnosis is made, treatment usually begins with fiber supplementation followed by pelvic floor physical therapy with biofeedback. For some conditions, treatment with Botox and / or a nerve block can sometimes help.  These conditions can take time to diagnose and even longer to treat. There is a lot of overlapping symptoms between different conditions. A cure may not be possible in all patients, but the goal is to improve your quality of life.

Anismus or Dyssynergic Defecation

Your body does not coordinate muscles correctly in order to have a bowel movement. This can result in constipation.

Proctalgia Fugax

Severe occasional anorectal pain that occurs persistently over a long period of time. This is frequently due to nerve path or muscle spasm, although an exact cause is frequently unable to be determined.

Levator Ani Syndrome

This is pain similar to proctaglia fugax but also is typically worse with sitting and better with standing.

Nonrelaxing Puborectalis

This is severe anorectal pain that is worse with bowel movements. It is due to a muscle needed to relax for a bowel movement that does not.

Pudendal Neuralgia

This is stabbing, burning, or shooting pain that can be felt in your buttocks, perineum, or genital region. Like Levator Ani, this can be worse with sitting. It is due to injury to the pudendal nerve.

Coccydynia (Tailbone pain)

Pain at the tailbone. It frequently gets worse when going from sitting to standing. It is also associated with pain with a bowel movement and / or pain with sex.

 Diagnosis and Treatment of Dyssynergic Defecation - PMC 

 Proctalgia Fugax: What It Is, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment 

 Levator Ani Syndrome: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment 

 Pelvic Floor Nonrelaxation: Approach to Evaluation and Treatment - PMC 

 Pudendal Neuralgia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment 

 Tailbone Pain (Coccydynia): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment