Tenesmus

Tenesmus is the feeling of constantly needing to pass stools (or, in the less common sense, urine), even if the bowels (or bladder) are already empty. It can involve pain, straining, and cramping.

Types include:

• Rectal tenesmus (when the word "tenesmus" is used by itself, this is usually what is meant)
• Vesical tenesmus

(Rectal) tenesmus is a clinical sign of inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and colorectal cancer. Other causes include amoebic and bacillary dysentery.