There is blood during bowel movements. Blood in the stool (stool), bleeding from the anus (rectum, anus)

Normal stools (feces, excrement, feces) should be taken once or twice a day and should be light brown to deep brown in color, soft in texture, cylindrical in shape, and free from offensive odour. If blood appears during bowel movements (going to the toilet "in a big way"), then this is a formidable symptom, and a doctor's consultation is necessary. Even a single appearance of blood streaks in the stool should alert and refer the person to the clinic.

The color of blood in stool in various diseases

Blood in the feces is scarlet, burgundy, black and invisible (hidden). The causes of blood may be damage to the mucosa during the passage of solid contents through the intestines. But most often the cause of blood during bowel movements in men or women is bowel disease. By the quantity, color and quality of the bloody stools, it can be assumed which part of the intestine is damaged or what diseases caused the appearance of abnormal bowel movements.

With diverticula, colitis, intestinal cancer, the blood is red and is visible in the stool in the form of streaks. If the stool is liquid with an admixture of blood, then this is a helminth lesion, and when fever is added, it is obvious dysentery.

If the blood is scarlet or red, or there are clots during bowel movements, then this indicates that the source of bleeding is close to the anus: the sigmoid, rectum, anus. Bleeding from the transverse colon and descending colon is accompanied by dark or burgundy blood.

Sometimes the feces are black with an unpleasant odor. This indicates bleeding from the ascending colon, small intestine, stomach, and even the esophagus. The change in color and smell occurs under the influence of intestinal bacteria, which contribute to the breakdown of blood cells into chemical elements. In some cases, when the upper gastrointestinal tract is damaged, the blood in the feces is bright in color due to increased intestinal motility and its rapid movement towards the anus.

If blood appears between or during bowel movements and appears as a bright red trickle from the anus or in the form of clots not mixed with feces, then this indicates hemorrhoids or an anal fissure. This kind of bleeding is common in people suffering from constipation.

Black loose stools are a poor prognostic sign. This symptom indicates massive bleeding from the upper digestive tract. Most often, all this is accompanied by severe forms of anemia and requires immediate treatment.

Causes of blood in the stool.

Based on the foregoing, diseases in which blood occurs during bowel movements:

  • haemorrhoids;
  • anus fissure;
  • polyps of the gastrointestinal tract;
  • malignant diseases of the colon;
  • colitis;
  • Crohn's disease;
  • cirrhosis of the liver;
  • intestinal tumors;
  • stomach ulcer and 12 duodenal ulcer;
  • tumors of the stomach;
  • expansion of the veins of the esophagus due to varicose veins;
  • intestinal ischemia;
  • dysentery;
  • amoebiasis;
  • thrombosis of mesenteric vessels that supply blood to the intestinal ligaments;
  • angiodysplasia - age-related or congenital disorders of vascular permeability;
  • disorders of blood coagulation of a hereditary nature;
  • poisoning with rat poison, poisonous plants (for example, euonymus, sweet clover)

When taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as: aspirin, diclofenac, indomethacin, when taking drugs that reduce blood clotting: pradax, warfarin, xarelto, clopidogrel, heparin, there may be blood during bowel movements and this is a formidable symptom, which should be immediately reported to the doctor to reduce doses of the drug or for its cancellation, replacement!

Changes in stool color are also associated with taking potassium-based drugs, iron-containing drugs and drugs with bismuth, as well as if a person used coloring foods the day before: beets, tomatoes, black pudding, liver, currants. In these cases, the color of the stool is burgundy. However, this is not blood, and the staining is purely a chemical reaction.

Blood in stool in men

Blood during bowel movements in men most often occurs with hemorrhoids, rectal fissures, cirrhosis of the liver, oncological diseases, and with trauma to the rectal wall due to an attempt to introduce an object into the anus.

Intestinal cancer, in addition to the appearance of blood in the feces, is also accompanied by such symptoms: aversion to food, weakness, feeling of fullness in the stomach, constant rumbling, discomfort in the anus and rectum, constipation, diarrhea, rumbling, false urge to defecate, emptying that does not bring relief . Fecal masses in this disease with an admixture of blood, and with a neglected form, have a ribbon-like character. Subsequently, intestinal obstruction occurs.

Cirrhosis of the liver is manifested by nausea, vomiting, bitterness in the mouth, intolerance to certain products, asthenia, skin itching, vascular "asterisks" on the skin of the abdomen. In advanced cases, varicose vessels of the intestine and esophagus rupture and cause bleeding, which is manifested by black feces.

A specific reason for the appearance of blood during bowel movements in men, associated with gender, prostate cancer in an advanced stage. Prostate cancer can grow into the intestinal mucosa and cause blood to be excreted in the stool.

Blood during bowel movements in women

Blood in the feces in women has its own specific causes inherent in the female sex. In addition to the above diseases in women, blood with feces can be excreted:

  • in the last weeks of pregnancy in the presence of varicose veins of the perineum;
  • with endometriosis;
  • after radiation therapy of oncological diseases of the genital organs

In the third trimester of pregnancy, the uterus grows and presses on all the organs of the small pelvis. The wall of the rectum loses its elasticity and can be easily damaged. Another reason is the increased blood supply to the internal genital organs, lower intestines and a slight decrease in blood clotting, which is necessary for the normal development of pregnancy. These reasons lead to the fact that there is blood during bowel movements in women. But there are times when the bleeding does not stop. In this case, it is imperative to call an ambulance, because a pregnant woman cannot always accurately determine what kind of bleeding it is: vaginal or rectal. To prevent bleeding from the anus during pregnancy, it is recommended to fight constipation, eat foods with fiber and use soft toilet paper.

In women, blood is excreted in the feces endometriosis intestines. Endometriosis is a common disease characterized by the formation in various organs of foci with cells similar in structure to the elements of the uterine mucosa. But intestinal endometriosis is quite rare. The rectum, sigmoid, caecum is mainly affected by direct germination from the uterus, appendages or by the introduction of these cells with the blood or lymph flow. With endometriosis, the intestines are disturbed by constant pain in the abdomen, which intensifies before and during menstruation. With complete germination of the intestinal wall, mucus with blood is found in the feces in women, blood during defecation can be noticeable, and sometimes it is determined only when analyzing feces for occult blood or during colonoscopy. With large foci of endometriosis, intestinal stenosis and intestinal obstruction are possible. Treatment of intestinal lesions is carried out in parallel with the treatment of the underlying disease: properly selected hormonal therapy allows you to achieve a complete cure. A specific feature is that blood in the feces in women with intestinal endometriosis appears cyclically; in sick women, blood during defecation is more often determined during menstruation.

After the use of radiation therapy, inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, the so-called radiation colitis, often occurs. It is characterized by a constant secretion of blood and mucus, a disorder of the stool - diarrhea is replaced by constipation. The treatment of such colitis is purely symptomatic and over time the mucosa is restored and the symptoms disappear.

Who to contact if you find blood in a bowel movement

You should not delay the course of the disease and self-medicate if these unpleasant symptoms occur. Obligatory examination by a general practitioner, surgeon, proctologist and gynecologist (for women). Only they can establish the cause of the appearance of bloody inclusions in the feces, conduct an additional examination if necessary (irrigoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, ultrasound, X-ray, etc.) and prescribe the correct adequate treatment. Due to the variety of causes of blood stools, there is no single treatment regimen: each disease requires its own approach to treatment.

About the analysis of feces for occult blood and how to decipher it, it is very well written in an article about

    Dear friends! The medical information on our website is for informational purposes only! Please note that self-medication is dangerous for your health! Sincerely, Site Editor

As a rule, people rarely go to the doctor in the presence of diseases associated with pathologies of the anus. Everyone tries to solve such delicate problems on their own. Even such a serious problem as a stool with blood does not become an exception.

Important to consider! The presence of blood discharge from the anus is in most cases a sign of a serious pathological process in the digestive tract, which can lead to severe complications if not properly treated.

Most often, blood after a bowel movement is found in hemorrhoids, both in men and women. Also, blood clots may be observed in the stool, or blood may remain on the toilet paper. In the most severe and neglected situations, blood accumulations come out in splashes.

Basically, blood in the feces in adults appears due to damage to the inner lining of the rectum or large intestine. If blood is found during or after defecation, it is urgent to contact a specialist, namely, a proctologist. Only with its help it will be possible to conduct a normal examination and make a correct diagnosis. As you know, correct diagnosis is already half the success in treatment. The most common factors for bowel movements with blood are the following conditions:

  • Venous expansion in the rectum, in other words - hemorrhoids. Basically, bloody inclusions are found after emptying, blood accumulations are scarlet, they do not mix with feces.
  • Colitis. This disease is characterized by the appearance of an inflammatory process in any part of the digestive tract, more often in the large intestine. Accompanied by inflammation, the appearance of ulcers.
  • Anal fissure. With such an ailment, bleeding is observed gradual, in small volumes, mainly after defecation. In parallel, the patient experiences pain, which also appears after emptying.
  • Constipation. Since there are a large number of small blood vessels in the walls of the rectum, blood may appear during a bowel movement due to severe tension.
  • Polyps. Bleeding in this case will depend entirely on the size of the neoplasm.
  • Proctitis. This disease is characterized by the appearance of numerous ulcers in the rectum and the inflammatory process against this background. In this case, stools are observed with blood, small blood streaks can be seen.
  • Gastritis in any form. A patient with such a disease occurs quite severe bleeding.
  • Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum. With these pathologies, the patient has severe bleeding. The first signs of an exacerbation are vomiting with blood splashes and the presence of blood in the stool.
  • Diverticulosis. This pathology is characterized by the formation of certain pockets in the intestine and small protrusions on the mucous membrane. When emptying the intestines, these formations are injured, as a result of which the patient has blood in the stool.
  • Cancer in the rectum. With this diagnosis, bleeding also depends on the size of the neoplasm.
  • Blood streaks in the stool in HIV-infected people may appear due to reduced immunity and the rapid development of all diseases in the body.
  • Varicose veins in the esophagus.
  • Other systemic diseases in the body.

Sometimes the appearance of scarlet blood after a bowel movement is due to the use of certain medications. In this case, the blood in the stool in an adult is a side effect of antibacterial agents or drugs that contain potassium.

What does the scarlet color of the discharge mean?

In diagnosing the disease, the color of blood secretions is of great importance. On this basis, you can determine the nature of the disease:

  • Dark cherry color of blood inclusions indicates diseases of the colon.
  • Blood streaks of red color appear when oncological neoplasms and polyps appear in the intestines. It is worth noting that the polyp is not an incurable disease, as it belongs to the group of benign formations.
  • Scarlet blood during bowel movements in men and women, remaining on toilet paper or underwear, indicates inflammation of the hemorrhoids.
  • Dark patches of blood in the stool in an adult are a concomitant symptom of diverticulosis, or a neoplasm in the colon.
  • Blood in the patient's stool and dark, tarry stools indicate diseases of the stomach, small intestine, and duodenum.

By the color of the blood in the stool, experts determine which part of the intestine was affected. In principle, you can use such a simple diagnostic method yourself. However, you do not need to prescribe treatment for yourself. A complete picture of the disease can only be made by a proctologist after a series of studies.

Haemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are the most common disease that is accompanied by the release of blood during emptying. In this case, there is no blood in the feces, small scarlet spots, as a rule, remain on clothes or toilet paper. It is characteristic that blood during or after a bowel movement appears as a result of constipation and the subsequent passage of hard feces, or after heavy physical exertion. Blood with feces with hemorrhoids appears only outside the feces.

A distinctive feature of hemorrhoids is the prolapse of hemorrhoids from the anus. Outwardly, they are small formations that often have a bluish tint. Blood during bowel movements in women can also indicate the presence of hemorrhoids. Often bloody stools appear after childbirth, as many women develop rectal varicose veins during pregnancy.

The appearance of hemorrhoids during pregnancy is primarily due to a large load on the intestines and pelvic organs.

During pregnancy, stagnation occurs in this area, as a result of which blood secretions accumulate in the hemorrhoids. Then the varicose bumps begin to burst, or damaged by any stress, which leads to the appearance of traces of blood in the stool. A similar symptom accompanies pain during defecation, as well as itching.

In addition to symptomatic treatment aimed at eliminating pain and itching, anti-varicose drugs are also used in the treatment of hemorrhoids, which help to improve blood outflow through the veins and pelvic organs and hemorrhoids. These drugs include drugs Tribenozid, Detralex, Aescusan, Anavenol, Troxevasin, Reparil and others. In the event that hemorrhoids are in an advanced stage, and traditional drug treatment does not bring results, doctors resort to surgical intervention.

anal fissure

Another reason why blood appears after or during a bowel movement is an anal fissure. This problem mainly occurs in people who often suffer from constipation. In addition to the appearance of red feces, the patient also feels severe pain during bowel movements. It is necessary to treat the disease, otherwise constipation will become more serious, and the number of cracks will increase.

Polyps in the intestine

Since polyps are benign formations on the intestinal mucosa, they do not manifest themselves for a long time. However, over time, they begin to bleed, as a result of which there is a high probability of mucus with blood in the stool in an adult. The stool may be completely red if the polyp is very large.
Removal of polyps can be performed directly during the diagnostic procedure - Sigmoidoscopy. This neoplasm is dangerous only because it can go from benign to malignant.

cancer in the intestines

Malignant tumors in the intestines may not manifest themselves for a long time. However, over time, they also begin to bleed. The patient has red feces, interspersed with bright red. Intestinal obstruction is also sometimes noted. The frequency of bleeding depends on the size of the tumor and the stage of its development. If the neoplasm is at the stage of decay, then the bleeding can be very strong, since large vessels also take part in the process. The patient in this situation has a red stool.

Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis

Crohn's disease, like colitis, is characterized by the formation of numerous ulcers. Patients in this case pay attention to the feces, because its color may be red. At the initial stage of the disease, stools have a characteristic tar color, and then they change to red stools.

Diverticulosis

This disease is characterized by a protrusion of part of the mucosal area. In a patient with this pathology, blood and mucus are noted in the feces. In addition, the patient feels severe pain. The disease is dangerous with the appearance of complications, in which not only the stool can be red, but the process of excretion of feces will be disrupted. Therefore, it is urgent to normalize the process of bowel movement. If traditional medical methods do not help, the doctor may prescribe surgery.

Gastritis and peptic ulcer

In the presence of these diseases, bloody stools appear mainly only during periods of exacerbation. Bloody stools may appear after alcohol, as it negatively affects the inflamed areas of the gastric mucosa.

The presence of blood in the stool can indicate many diseases. Particular attention should be paid to this factor for women during pregnancy. If bleeding appeared due to hemorrhoids, which is a common occurrence during pregnancy, then there is nothing to worry about. If the cause is infectious diseases, there is a serious danger to the unborn child.

Blood discharge during defecation is a sign that may indicate both the presence of temporary disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and the presence of serious systemic pathologies. If this is a one-time phenomenon, then there is most likely no reason to worry, but in the case when the symptom tends to recur, and even more so to develop, you should rush to the doctor for advice.

To begin with, there may be occult blood in the stool that cannot be seen with normal examination - it can only be detected using laboratory analysis. In such cases, the disease will first "signal" about itself in another place.

The fact of the presence of blood visible to the naked eye, released during a bowel movement or after it, must certainly attract attention. First of all, the nature of bleeding is important. The higher its source is located from the anus, the darker and thicker the secreted blood will be. For example, it will be the brightest with a crack in the mucous membrane of the anus and damage to the hemorrhoids. The darkest blood will come from the far end of the large intestine.

Blood on toilet paper - a signal of a health problem

In the presence of bleeding in the upper segments of the gastrointestinal tract - the stomach, esophagus, etc., the secreted blood will undergo partial digestion, due to which it will change both color and consistency. At the same time, there is no blood in the usual form in the feces, but they themselves are fetid and painted in the color of tar.

Anal fissure is a common cause of bleeding after a bowel movement.

Perhaps the most innocuous phenomenon can be considered a bright scarlet drop of blood, located on top of feces or smeared on toilet paper. Signs that may indicate the presence of a serious illness:

  • blood mixed with feces;
  • profuse bleeding from the anus in the form of a trickle or clots during or instead of defecation (with tenesmus - false urge to defecate);
  • the presence in the feces, in addition to blood, pus and mucus.

In addition, the circumstances accompanying bleeding are also important:

  • pain in the intestines during bowel movements;
  • the presence of hyperthermia;
  • the general condition of the body and the well-being of the patient;
  • the presence of vomiting, nosebleeds, hemorrhages on the body;

You should know that during the decay of a malignant tumor, bright scarlet blood is also released from the intestines, but not episodically, but constantly. In addition, anal bleeding in such a case, as a rule, is accompanied by a number of signs of cancer - weight loss, weakness, anemia, ribbon-like feces.

What are the possible causes of symptoms

The most common causes leading to the formation of tarry feces are erosive gastritis and ulcers of the stomach and duodenum. But bleeding of a different nature from the rectum can most often be provoked by such diseases:

  • haemorrhoids;
  • anal fissure;
  • intestinal polyps;
  • diverticulosis;
  • proctitis;
  • nonspecific ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease;
  • malignant tumors;
  • dysentery, rotavirus, enteroinfections;
  • worms, salmonellosis;
  • blood disorders, leukemia.

Also, bleeding from the anus can be the result of typhoid fever, which in our time is already an extremely exotic disease.

Blood with hemorrhoids from the anus is released immediately after bowel movement

Often, rectal bleeding is the result of radiation therapy, which negatively affects the intestinal vasculature. In some cases, the development of radiation proctitis occurs, which is the culprit for the appearance of blood during defecation. As a rule, it occurs after irradiation of neoplasms of the prostate gland in men.

If the blood from the rectum appeared in a woman during critical days, this may be a sign of endometriosis.

Colon polyps are a common cause of rectal bleeding.

In addition, excessive alcohol consumption, which injures the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract and colon, in particular, can lead to the appearance of blood in the feces. Long-term use of antibacterial drugs that kill the beneficial microflora in the large intestine and often cause allergic reactions in the body can also provoke bloody discharge during bowel movements. A similar effect can be observed in the treatment of cytostatics used in chemotherapy.

In addition, the release of blood from the rectum can be further provoked by such factors:

  • stressful state;
  • physical overload;
  • habitual constipation;
  • trauma;
  • pregnancy;
  • anal sex.

Diagnosis of the underlying disease

As already noted, the discharge of blood during bowel movements is not a disease, but only a symptom.. The main task of diagnosis is to determine the pathology that causes this manifestation. The following methods are usually used to make a diagnosis:

  • a detailed blood test - allows you to identify malignant and benign blood pathologies;
  • coprogram - makes it possible to detect hidden blood in the feces;
  • sigmoidoscopy - examination of the lower parts of the large intestine (rectum and sigmoid colon), which allows to assess the condition of the mucous membrane, to detect benign and malignant neoplasms, as well as anal fissures and hemorrhoids;
  • colonoscopy - examination of the large intestine throughout with the help of a fiber optic probe;
  • irrigoscopy - X-ray of the colon using a contrast agent, which gives an idea of ​​​​defects in the mucous membrane and intestinal walls;
  • gastroduodenal examination - determination of pathological changes in the stomach and duodenum using a fiber optic probe.

Colonoscopy allows you to assess the condition of the large intestine

Diseases that cause bleeding from the anus have their own characteristic features, due to which they can be pre-differentiated:

    • itching and pain in the anus;
    • the presence of noticeable hemorrhoidal cones, if the hemorrhoids are external.
    • bright scarlet blood on toilet paper or on top of stool
    • during a bowel movement and for some time after it a sharp pain.
  1. Polyps and diverticula:
    • noticeable bleeding during perforation of the diverticulum and violation of the integrity of the intestinal wall;
    • stomach ache;
    • the color of the blood can vary from dark to bright red, depending on the location of the neoplasms.
  2. Nonspecific ulcerative colitis:
    • pain in the abdomen, often on the left;
    • the presence of purulent-mucous impurities in the excreted blood;
    • tenesmus, which also exudes blood.
  3. Infections:
    • a small amount of secreted blood;
    • pain in the intestines;
    • temperature rise;
    • skin rashes.

Gastroduodenoscopy allows to detect pathologies of the upper gastrointestinal tract

What to do when an anxiety symptom appears

If a small amount of blood is found during a bowel movement, accompanied by pain in the rectum, there is reason to believe that either hemorrhoids or an anal fissure can be the cause. Moreover, it should be borne in mind that even such a seemingly trifle as an anal fissure sometimes heals for quite a long time and requires competent treatment, not to mention hemorrhoids, which have very unpleasant complications, the worst of which can be considered necrosis of hemorrhoids. Therefore, in any case, you should immediately contact a proctologist or surgeon to establish an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.

Medical treatment

With anal fissure and hemorrhoids, a necessary condition for treatment is to ensure regular bowel movements, for which the patient is recommended to take mild laxatives - Dufalac, Senade, Mucofalk, Picolax.

For the successful restoration of damaged tissues, ointments and rectal suppositories are used - Proctosan, Procto Glivenol, Troxevasin gel.


Proctosan is a drug with a combined effect used to treat anal fissures and inflammation of hemorrhoids.

For the treatment of other diseases that cause bleeding from the rectum, drugs are used to combat them. So, in the treatment of infectious pathologies, antibacterial drugs of the corresponding spectrum of action are used. For the treatment of nonspecific ulcerative colitis - anti-inflammatory steroid drugs, as well as Sulfasalazine, Wobenzym, etc., for the fight against oncological neoplasms - cytostatic drugs, etc.

Surgery

With a number of diseases, conservative therapy is practically not used; such pathologies are treated with the use of surgical intervention. Among them, we can mention diverticulosis, polyps of the large intestine, malignant neoplasms.

Polyps are removed surgically endoscopically

Moreover, in some cases, with an anal fissure, it is also necessary to perform a surgical operation to excise the edges of the wound to activate the fusion process. In the case of complicated hemorrhoids, hemorrhoids can be removed. In recent years, such operations have been carried out with the so-called laser scalpel - a thin laser beam that cuts through tissues with jewelry, while simultaneously coagulating (cauterizing) blood vessels.

Diet

With different pathologies, dietary requirements can vary significantly. With anal fissure and hemorrhoids, fiber-rich foods, vegetables, fruits, whole grain bread, sour-milk products must be included in the diet to ensure the smooth functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and avoid constipation. But with nonspecific ulcerative colitis, the dietary requirements are opposite. A feature of this diet is the absence of coarse fiber and dairy products in it. The attending physician should familiarize the patient with the details of the diet.

Traditional medicine

Natural remedies can be successfully used for hemorrhoids and anal fissure. In some cases, this method of treatment, along with the main one, can also be applied in mild forms of ulcerative colitis. With all other diseases, folk remedies are not only useless, but also harmful. Here are some affordable and effective natural recipes:


Prognosis and possible complications

The prognosis for the appearance of such a symptom directly depends on the pathology that caused it, and is determined on an individual basis. In some cases, the following complications may develop:

  • severe blood loss;
  • hemorrhagic shock;
  • peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum);
  • acute intestinal obstruction;
  • sepsis.

Prevention

Prevention measures should pursue the main goal - reducing the risk of developing diseases, a symptom of which is the release of blood during bowel movements, and for this it is necessary to adhere to several important rules:

  • avoid hypodynamia, actively move;
  • eat a balanced diet;
  • refrain from uncontrolled consumption of alcohol;
  • do not self-medicate with antibiotics;
  • monitor regular bowel movements.

In addition, after reaching the age of 50, try to carry out preventive examinations every 7 years - colonoscopy and gastroduodenoscopy. In all developed countries, this requirement is mandatory, which allows citizens to diagnose serious diseases at the earliest stages of development.

Elena Malysheva about rectal bleeding: video

The allocation of blood from the anus during bowel movements is not at all a reason to start worrying. Moreover, having noticed in yourself recurring similar manifestations, it is worth visiting a proctologist to conduct the necessary examination. If this symptom is associated with the presence of hemorrhoids or cracks, the disease will be quickly and competently stopped, but in the case when a serious illness has become the cause, then the sooner you start treating it, the better the result will be.

Finding blood on toilet paper, many begin to panic. This symptom is characteristic of various diseases: rectal fissure, fistula of the rectum, hemorrhoids, malignant neoplasm. The most common disease is hemorrhoids. At the initial stages, the allocation of scarlet color is insignificant. Over time, in the absence of therapeutic measures, traces of blood on toilet paper are more common. Let us consider in more detail what is the danger of blood appearing after a bowel movement.

Why does blood appear after a bowel movement on paper?

Nerve endings are localized in the final part of the digestive tract, therefore, if the mucous membrane is injured, rectal cracks, blood on toilet paper after defecation will be accompanied by soreness. If there is no pain, but discomfort and scarlet blood on the linen, toilet paper after the stool are disturbing, then the hemorrhoid could be injured.

Blood on toilet paper after emptying appears due to such diseases:

  • haemorrhoids;
  • endometriosis of the uterus;
  • polyps;
  • inflammatory process in the rectal mucosa;
Even a slight discharge of blood can indicate serious health problems.
  • colitis;
  • rectal fissures;
  • malignant neoplasms;
  • diverticulosis.

After constipation, blood on toilet paper is common. Solid feces during passage through the intestine injure the mucosa. It is important to eliminate the provoking factor of constipation. To do this, it is enough to adjust the lifestyle and diet.

In women, bloody discharge of a dull color may indicate the presence of gynecological diseases. During menstruation with endometriosis of the uterus, discharge can be released from the anus. A little blood on toilet paper may indicate the presence of exacerbated postpartum hemorrhoids.
Helminths in the human body can cause rectal itching, blood on paper after a bowel movement. A stool test will help confirm their presence.

Character and color of blood marks

Black blood on paper after a toilet is an alarming symptom. You must immediately consult a doctor. Such a clinical picture may indicate an exacerbation of gastric ulcer. Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages can also cause discharge. To accurately establish the provoking factor, it is necessary to be examined by a specialist.


Traces of blood on toilet paper are not always accompanied by pain

After a bowel movement, scarlet blood on paper is a concern. Diseases that are characterized by scarlet bleeding:

  1. Haemorrhoids. Most often, after a stool, blood on paper or underwear indicates the presence of hemorrhoids. During the promotion of dense feces, the nodes are injured.
  2. Malignant neoplasms. Discharge does not always appear after a bowel movement. They can be found later on underwear.
  3. Rectocele, an advanced stage of hemorrhoids. Scarlet drops or mucous discharge can be found on linen. If there was no provoking factor (for example, weight lifting), then there may be a tumor in the rectum. Assign clinical tests to clarify the diagnosis.
  4. Rectal fissure. Traces of blood found on toilet paper in men can be a sign of pathology. Often it is provoked by constipation. Anal sex can also be a cause. Cracks can heal on their own or you can speed up the process with ointments and lotions.
  5. Diverticulitis. Blood on paper after a bowel movement in men can be a symptom of this disease. It is characterized by: fever, pain on the left side of the abdomen, vomiting, difficulty in emptying the intestines.

What kind of disease provoked the release of scarlet color, the doctor will determine after receiving the results of clinical studies.

Hematuria

This pathology is characterized by the presence of blood in the urine. This is an alarming symptom of the onset of a serious illness.

Read also

Hemorrhoids according to ICD 10


Hematuria is one of the common symptoms in urology, which is not a disease itself, but a manifestation of disorders of the urinary system.
  1. Hematuria in men. The reason may be strong and prolonged physical exertion. In this case, a good rest is enough. With repeated manifestations of hematuria, you should consult a specialist. The reason for the relapse may be sand or kidney stones, hypertensive crisis, pathological process in the prostate and urinary tract.
  2. Hematuria in women. The reason may be cystitis. Other provoking factors are infections in the genitourinary system, hormonal contraceptives, trauma, an inflammatory process, and a pathological process in the bladder.

To accurately understand the cause of blood impurities in the urine, you need to make an appointment with a doctor to establish an accurate diagnosis.

Blood in stool during pregnancy

During pregnancy, women often find spotting after a bowel movement. The most common cause is constipation.

The act of defecation is difficult due to:

  1. Weight gain. As the child develops, the woman gains weight. Physical activity is reduced. Stagnation occurs. It is difficult for feces to move through the intestines.
  2. Insufficient amount of water drunk. Pregnant women are characterized by swelling of the extremities. Therefore, gynecologists often advise limiting fluid intake. But water is necessary for the normal functioning of the digestive tract. The stool dries up and thickens. In the process of moving through the intestines, it injures its walls.
  3. High progesterone levels. The hormone negatively affects the work of the digestive tract.

Causes of blood in the stool in pregnant women can be different.

The above factors can cause scarlet spots on underwear. You should try to eliminate the provoking factor.

If a pregnant woman has dark stools, this may indicate the presence of serious pathologies. Taking multivitamins can cause the stool to turn dark in color. You should take a break from taking the medication and observe. If the color of the feces has become normal, there is no reason to panic. Otherwise, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Blood-streaked feces in a child

In the feces of a child, you can sometimes notice bloody discharge. The most common cause is rectal fissures due to constipation. Hardening of feces occurs due to unbalanced nutrition, physical inactivity, dysbacteriosis. Also, bleeding may indicate an allergy to dairy products or lactose deficiency.

Read also

What causes bleeding from the anus?

Concomitant symptoms of bleeding during bowel movements

Impurities in scarlet stools are a characteristic, but not the main sign of the presence of hemorrhoids. A large number of diseases have the same symptom.


If the color of the stool changes against the background of good health, you should not panic.
  1. Acute course of proctitis. The patient feels severe pain in the perineum, lower back, rectum. The chronic course is characterized by burning and soreness, purulent and mucous discharges are present in scarlet impurities. Hemoglobin is lowered, the patient feels a breakdown.
  2. Rectal fissure. Pathology is not characterized by impurities of scarlet color in the feces. They stay on linen. The patient is concerned about constipation, which injures the mucous membrane.
  3. Crohn's disease. An accompanying symptom is pain in the abdomen, flatulence, lack of appetite, beriberi.
  4. Thrombosis. Characterized by acute pain in the epigastric region, vomiting with bile, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure.
  5. Malignant neoplasms. Constipation alternates with diarrhea, false bowel movements, mucous and purulent impurities from the anus.
  6. Polypos. In addition to impurities of scarlet color, sometimes there is diarrhea or constipation, soreness. The presence of polyps can only be determined by a doctor during an examination.

Sometimes the alarming symptom of red blood on toilet paper can be a false alarm. The color of urine and feces may change from drugs (antibiotics, bismuth preparations), certain foods (beets, pomegranate juice, currants) or vitamins.

Which doctor should I contact?

Blood from the anus found on toilet paper is an alarming symptom. But who should you contact first? Start by visiting a family therapist. He will prescribe tests and refer you to a more specialized doctor. The proctologist during the examination will determine the provocative factor, study the clinical picture and the results of the tests. After clarifying the diagnosis, the doctor will draw up a treatment regimen.


When blood is released from the intestine, you should visit a proctologist to diagnose the disease.

Diagnostic methods

After a bowel movement, blood found on toilet paper is a reason to see a doctor.

There are many proctological diseases during which scarlet blood appears from the anus during bowel movements. This phenomenon requires careful examination and subsequent treatment. Unfortunately, most men and women ignore it, which is why the disease progresses, creating a threat to health.

Blood after a bowel movement can indicate both a disease of the rectum and serious pathological processes that occur in the body. The most common reasons:

Bloody bowel movements can occur in people with HIV infection. Sometimes the color of the feces becomes reddish or brown after eating certain foods, such as beets, tomatoes, or black pudding. If you find an atypical shade, you need to analyze the menu of previous days. If there were no red foods in the diet and similar bowel movements appear systematically, you should consult a doctor.

Problem Diagnosis

To begin treatment, it is necessary to find out the cause of the appearance of blood during or after a bowel movement. Diagnosis and treatment of intestinal diseases are carried out by 2 specialists: a gastroenterologist and a proctologist. It is necessary to visit a gastroenterologist if an ulcer or gastritis is present. In other cases, the appearance of blood after emptying is a reason to go to the proctologist.

The diagnosis is made in several stages:

  • conversation with the patient (helps to find out the frequency and nature of bleeding);
  • palpation of the anus.

If, after such an examination, the cause of bleeding during the act of defecation remains unclear or there is a suspicion of a cancerous tumor, additional procedures are prescribed:

  • laboratory study of feces;
  • the anus is examined using a special device (endoscope);
  • ultrasound procedure;
  • pelvic x-ray.

When making a diagnosis, the doctor needs to know the nature and frequency of bleeding. The patient who applied to the proctologist must provide him with the following information:

  • what color is the blood and how much of it;
  • whether foreign inclusions (mucus, blood) are present in the feces;
  • whether blood appears only after a bowel movement or can be released at any time.

This information helps in making a diagnosis.

Characteristics of bleeding

According to the abundance of bleeding and the degree of mixing of blood with feces, a preliminary diagnosis can be made:

blood color

The color of bleeding is also important. The brighter it is, the closer the pathology is to the anus:

Only a proctologist can make an accurate diagnosis after analyzing all the data.

Anal fissure and hemorrhoids

The most common cause of bleeding from the anus is hemorrhoids. The disease is a varicose veins located under the intestinal mucosa and near the anus.

Hemorrhoids develop due to degeneration of the vascular system of the small pelvis and high internal pressure. The disease can manifest itself as a result of childbirth, weight lifting or sedentary work.

Hemorrhoids develop slowly at the initial stage, it manifests itself only as discomfort in the anus when going to the toilet. Bleeding appears in the second stage (sometimes without pain), when the nodes in the intestine increase and, when emptying, are pinched by feces. In the third and fourth stages, the discharge of blood becomes more abundant. With inflammation of the hemorrhoidal cones, pus can be seen in the discharge.

The disease has 2 forms: chronic and acute. The first proceeds sluggishly, sometimes almost asymptomatically, but exacerbations occur periodically. The acute form of hemorrhoids begins with inflammation of the nodes (external or internal). Bleeding in this case becomes very profuse, and the pain syndrome intensifies.

Anal fissure appears usually in people with frequent constipation. It is caused by mechanical damage to the intestinal walls by feces. Characteristic:

  • It is localized next to the sphincter, at the junction of the mucous membrane with the skin.
  • There are no pathological changes in the intestinal vascular system.
  • Blood on toilet paper appears during constipation, bowel movements are accompanied by severe pain.

Polyps and diverticula

Polyps are benign growths on the intestinal mucosa. They are epithelial outgrowths. They don't show up for a long time. Damage to polyps with subsequent bleeding can occur due to prolonged constipation, diarrhea, or in violation of intestinal motility. They are dangerous because they sometimes degenerate into malignant ones.

Diverticulosis is a disease
in which the walls of the intestine protrude outward, forming peculiar pockets. They can occur in any part of the intestine.

Its signs:

  • abdominal pain;
  • bleeding during bowel movements;
  • a slight increase in temperature;

In diverticulosis, feces accumulate in these pockets, causing inflammation over time. The cause of pathology can be a weakening of the muscles of the intestine, varicose veins, frequent constipation.

peptic ulcer

Bloody impurities in the stool can cause peptic ulcer disease. This is accompanied by other symptoms:

  • strong pain;
  • vomit.

An ulcer is a lesion of the gastric mucosa that heals for a long time and bleeds periodically. An exacerbation of the disease can be caused by a violation of the diet, a nervous shock, treatment with hormonal drugs and antibiotics.

Oncological diseases

  • anal fissure;
  • intolerance to protein in milk (usually occurs up to one year);
  • inflammation of the intestinal mucosa (colitis);
  • infectious diarrhea (eg, dysentery);
  • congenital pathology of the intestine (obstruction of the intestine prevents emptying).

At the first blood-stained stool in a child, parents should contact a pediatrician. The doctor will examine the baby and choose the appropriate method of treatment.

Treatment of the underlying cause of anal bleeding should be accompanied by preventive measures. First of all, you need to review your diet, eliminating foods that provoke constipation. The work of the intestines will be improved by simple exercises and walking.

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