Causes

It's not always clear what causes solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. Doctors believe stress or injury to the rectum may cause rectal ulcers to form.

Among the things that could injure the rectum are:

• Constipation or hardened stool in the rectum that's difficult to pass (impacted stool)
• Straining during bowel movements
• A stretched rectum that comes out of the anus (rectal prolapse)
• Uncoordinated tightening of the pelvic floor muscles that slows blood flow to the rectum
• Attempts to manually remove impacted stool
• When one part of the intestine slides inside another part (intussusception)