Rectal Bleeding (Blood in Stool)
Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in or on the stool, is common, and most of the time the cause is piles or a small tear called an anal fissure. But the same bleeding can come from polyps, inflammation of the bowel, or bowel cancer, and nobody can tell which by looking at the blood. That is why bleeding should be examined once rather than treated for years with creams and herbs. Bright red blood usually comes from near the anus. Dark red blood mixed into the stool comes from higher up. Black, tarry stool usually means bleeding from the stomach.
Find a Gastroenterology SpecialistMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Bright red blood on the tissue or in the toilet after stooling
- Blood mixed into the stool, or dark red stool
- Black, sticky, tar-like stool
- Pain when stooling, typical of a fissure
- A lump at the anus, typical of piles
- Tiredness, pale skin or breathlessness from blood loss
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor for any bleeding from the back passage that has not been examined before, and promptly if you are over forty, the blood is mixed into the stool, your bowel habit has changed, you are losing weight, or bowel cancer runs in your family. These need a colonoscopy, not another cream. Go to an emergency department now for heavy bleeding, passing clots, feeling faint or dizzy, black tarry stools, or bleeding with severe abdominal pain.
Treatment options
- An examination of the back passage, which finds most piles and fissures
- Fibre, water and stool softeners for piles and fissures
- Colonoscopy to see the whole bowel when the cause is not clear or warning signs are present
- Removal of polyps during the colonoscopy
- Banding or surgery for piles that keep bleeding
- Treatment of iron deficiency if bleeding has caused anaemia
What it costs on Mezo
Published cash prices for the operations used to treat this condition. Your own quote follows an examination.
Common Questions
Is blood in my stool always piles?
No. Piles are the commonest cause, but fissures, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease and bowel cancer can all bleed in the same way. One proper examination, and sometimes a colonoscopy, is how you know.
Does the colour of the blood matter?
Yes. Bright red on the tissue usually comes from close to the anus. Dark red or blood mixed into the stool comes from higher in the bowel and is more likely to need a colonoscopy. Black, tarry stool usually means bleeding from the stomach and needs urgent attention.
The bleeding has stopped. Do I still need a check?
Yes, if it was never examined. Bleeding from polyps and early cancers often comes and goes, so stopping does not mean the cause has gone.
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