Two men sought treatment at an emergency room with apparent gonococcal proctitis. Further evaluation after failure of antibiotic therapy in both patients revealed that rectal damage resulting from the patients' sexual habits had resulted in a severe traumatic proctitis. The discovery of several organisms, including Neisseria gonorrhoeae and two nonpathogenic amebas, was probably only incidental. Two points are emphasized: the importance of obtaining a complete sexual history for every patient treated for venereal disease, and the inherent complications associated with anorectal manipulation.