Buttock pain is general term for pain in the area of the human body that is often jokingly called the “butt” or the “backside.” There are, you can be sure, plenty of other names for it too. But anyone who is dealing with buttock pain, which can be caused by many different kinds of not-so-funny health conditions, probably doesn’t find the jesting very humorous.

Here’s a list of conditions which feature buttock pain as a symptom. This list is not all-inclusive, but rather covers the most common medical conditions that are likely to cause “pain in the backside.”

Various Cancers Sadly, certain forms of cancer are among the most frequent reasons for buttock pain. This includes colon cancer and rectal cancer. Tragically, by the time these types of cancer are diagnosed, the disease has usually progressed to a dangerous point. Various forms of cancer can also attack the bones of the hip, causing bone pain in the pelvic area.

Constipation Almost everyone has this at one time or another. Most of the time, discomfort is minor, but the pain can become severe in certain cases, especially when stool becomes impacted.

Pregnancy Bearing the additional weight of carrying a child can strain the joints and muscles of the buttocks.

Sciatica or Sciatic Pain The sciatic nerve extends from the spinal cord into the lower back, down through the buttocks and down the back of each leg to the ankle and foot. When this nerve is irritated or damaged somehow, it can cause severe buttock pain in addition to discomfort elsewhere in the lower half of the body. Sciatica is often a problem for people who have to sit or drive for long periods as part of the job. When this occurs, the condition is called sciatica.

Arthritis Arthritis is a condition that is caused by inflammation of the joints. The hip, of course, is one of the largest joints in the body, and when inflammation occurs there, it often presents itself as buttock pain.

Gluteal claudication Claudication is a medical term describing a condition that’s due to low blood flow to the muscles due to narrowed or obstructed arteries. This sometimes happens in the “gluteal” or buttock area, resulting in buttock pain.

Sacroiliitis This occurs when one or both of the sacroiliac joints, which connect the lower spine and pelvis, become inflamed. It’s generally caused by injury, pregnancy, arthritis, infection, or a number of other disorders and conditions.

Spondylarthropathies This term describes a group of pain-causing problems that involve the attachments between your lower back and the pelvis.

Osteoporosis This causes bones in the pelvic region to get thinner, weaker and more brittle. This causes buttock pain in a variety of ways.

Osteomalacia This condition occurs when bones don’t get enough of the minerals they need – especially vitamin D – and begin to soften. Soft bones are more susceptible to damage since they bend and bow more easily. When osteamalacia occurs in children, it is known as rickets.

Paget’s disease of bone When you have Paget’s, your bones grow larger than they should. As they grow larger, however, they become weaker. If it happens in the buttock area, it causes buttock pain.

Piriformis syndrome This condition occurs when there a problem with the piriformis muscle, a muscle located deep inside buttocks under the gluteus maximus. Pain from piriformis syndrome can range from mild but annoying to severe and even debilitating.

Conclusion

Buttock pain causes can be difficult to diagnosebecause there are so many possible conditions that me be the source of it. If you suffer from buttock pain that lasts more than a few days, it weould probably be advisable for you to get in touch with your doctor to discuss your symptoms.