When to worry about blood in stool with bowel polyps

A bowel polyp is a growth from the lining of the colon or rectum. Some polyps bleed lightly, leaving red blood on the stool or toilet paper, while other bleeding is hidden and found only through testing. Many polyps cause no noticeable symptoms.

Bleeding can also come from fissures, haemorrhoids, inflammation, or other bowel conditions. The presence of blood does not identify the source, so do not skip follow-up because the bleeding seems small.

Contact a doctor if blood is unexplained, returns, or appears with a change in bowel habit, abdominal discomfort, tiredness, or altered stool shape. If a polyp has already been found, follow the recommended colon examination plan so the clinician can decide whether it should be removed or monitored.

Write down when the bleeding occurs and whether it is on the paper, coating the stool, or mixed through it. Mention constipation, diarrhoea, family bowel history, and any blood-thinning medicines at the appointment.

Seek urgent care for heavy or ongoing bleeding, black stool, fainting, dizziness, unusual weakness, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, a swollen abdomen, or inability to pass stool and gas. Prompt assessment is also sensible when bleeding accompanies fever or worsening illness.

Ask whether you need a bowel examination, blood count, or other testing, and what the polyp findings mean for follow-up. Confirm which symptoms should bring your appointment forward and whether any medicine needs review.