Rectal bleeding while pooping: what to know

Bright-red blood on toilet paper or coating the stool can come from the anus or lower rectum, including irritation, a small tear, or swollen veins. Dark-red blood mixed through stool suggests bleeding farther inside the bowel; black, tar-like stool can indicate digested blood and should be assessed promptly. Inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis can present with bleeding and diarrhoea. Diverticular Disease, bowel polyps, and bowel or Rectal Cancer are other possibilities. A symptom does not identify its cause by itself.

Note the colour, amount, timing, and whether blood is on the paper, surface of the stool, or mixed into it. Record pain, constipation, diarrhoea, fever, weight change, dizziness, and medicines that can increase bleeding. Avoid straining, keep stools soft with fluids and fibre if constipation is present, and arrange a GP assessment if the bleeding recurs or has no clear explanation. The clinician may examine the area and decide whether blood tests or bowel investigations are appropriate.

Seek emergency help for heavy or continuing bleeding, faintness, confusion, severe weakness, severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood, or black tar-like stool. Seek prompt medical care for bleeding with fever, persistent diarrhoea, a change in bowel habit, unexplained weight loss, or increasing tiredness. Do not delay assessment because the bleeding is painless.

Ask what location and cause are most plausible, whether your medicines could contribute, which examination or tests are needed, and what changes should trigger urgent review.