Anal bleeding
Bleeding from the back passage is something that you should always see your doctor about, even if you are convinced it is piles or an anal fissure. The reason you need to be checked is that bleeding from the back passage can be a symptom of bowel (colon or rectum) cancer. If you are worried about being examined in that area, look at the section on seeing your doctor about an anal problem.
In general, if the bleeding is bright red and you have anal pain, especially when you pass a stool, it is probably a non-serious condition such as anal fissure or piles – but your doctor needs to make sure.
If the bleeding is dark red, or in clots, or mixed with a lot of slime, or mixed in with the faeces, it could be a more serious condition (such as colitis, diverticular disease or cancer of the rectum or colon) that needs prompt treatment. Other symptoms that might be serious are a decreased frequency and/or hardness of the faeces, or an increased frequency and/or looseness of faeces.
What do you know about bowel cancer?
A survey by BUPA, a private healthcare organization in the UK, showed that people do not know much about bowel cancer. When prompted with a list of eight possible symptoms, only 57% of men and 70% of women in the UK named rectal bleeding as one of the main symptoms of bowel cancer. In 2006–2007, the UK Government is spending £37 million sending home-testing kits for blood in the faeces to people aged 60–69 years. The aim is to detect bowel cancer early. So if you receive a kit, use it and return according to the instructions.
Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated:
Friday, February 26th 2010
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Comments on this article
Posted by Optional on 11/03/2010 at 07:11:17 am
i have been bleeding from my back passage the last month. its is not pain full but i am getting increased stomach pains should i be worried. please help
Posted by scared on 08/03/2010 at 09:23:50 am
when i wipe i find blood on the tissue 9 out of 10 times, its been happening for about a year and today was especially bad. should i see a doctor? its hard for a man to have someone check back there
Posted by na on 05/03/2010 at 09:55:13 am
my bf is having a problem with my tummy when i go to pass no2 nothing comes out, except blood, and water i have tummy craps and not sure what to do, i have taken freshen to make things easy for my tummy but nothing is helping':-(
Posted by Optional on 03/03/2010 at 10:56:28 am
i have bleeding most of the times like im on a heavy period but from my back passage i have no pian in that area but now im having very painful stomach problems im too emmbarressed to go to my doctors but im so worried cos my stomach pain is getting more intense what do i do '?
Posted by Optional on 01/03/2010 at 03:15:52 pm
my wife is bleeding and know she said it is clotting please help me
Posted by Sonia on 01/03/2010 at 07:54:58 am
I am looking for a cure or what is the cure if someone is bleeding in the back passage when they open their bowels and its been like this for two weeks now. Been to the gp and will be going to see the consultant but is there a cure?
Posted by anonymous on 25/02/2010 at 10:58:36 am
i have had anus bleeding 3 times now, i had it early last year and it was only a little bit and it happened just that once, and it was bright red watery blood but not painful, then i had it again later when i was fasting, but again it was painless and not alot, then i had it again this year and was just the same, but it was a little bit more than the last two time but it was red and watery again and i found it quite hard to get the stool out each time and it was quite painful, not alot just a little bit, and that happened for two days and then it went again like it does every other time, but i never went to the dr's everytime that happened and my mum would nag me to go but i just was too embarrased and i promised her if it happened again i would definatly go. I also wanted to say does not drinking water have anything to do with it? i was just wondering because i dont really drink water at all, but since the last time i had the bleeding i have tried to drink atleast 2 glasses of water, i know its stupid that i dont drink it but i just cant get my self to lol,but all in all i havnt noticed any more bleeding. should i be worried? and does not drinking water have anything to do with it? what can i do to prevent it from happening next time? i no i asked alot of questions lol but any answers are aprecciated and thank you in advance! xxx
Posted by nyla on 24/02/2010 at 07:05:19 pm
i have crohns disease in which if you dont know what it is...Crohn’s disease is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, also referred to as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Crohn’s disease can affect any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum. The swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. The swelling can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea. so hence hemmoroids in which cause fissulas and blood in my stool and clots so get checked for hemmeroids or bowel cancer if you have diarreah alot get checked for crohns just a thought
Posted by lorraine on 11/02/2010 at 06:54:00 pm
my sister is bleeding from her anus for the last three days,quite a lot of blood,she went to her gp and he said there is nothing to worry about,he gave her a small examanation,and said she is ok,i dont think thats right,he is just a gp im am really concerned for her,what can i do,please help,thanks.
Posted by parth on 02/02/2010 at 06:39:00 pm
i have anal fissure ,i am going through a lot of pain,what type of doctor should i consult? i mean what type of specialist doctor? please help
Posted by Kim on 02/02/2010 at 05:34:00 pm
During a bathroom visit my bowel movement was not very successful. My rectum/anus was not large enough to pass a large, hard bowel movement. In the process I believe I ripped, tore, scratched my rectum/anus, and I was bleeding briefly. It looked like I started my period, and when I checked it was not. After wiping the first time it looked like a period from my behind, however, the second time I wiped, and since then no bleeding persists. The pain I felt at the time made it apparent that the bleeding was from my rectal region. It was a painful experience at the time, and a few days later it persists. What can I do to relieve the discomfort? It hurts. I am afraid to poop again anytime soon.
Posted by JohnJnn on 20/01/2010 at 01:17:00 pm
Wel just found interesting thing, nut sure can this be related with this but hope it can help some of the posters here. http://www.medicinenet.com/rectal_bleeding/page2.htm
Posted by Anonymous on 28/12/2009 at 02:38:00 pm
Ok people I hope this helps, I suffered from this problem for years, extreme pain and bleeding, pain like you can't imagine, like passing shards of glass! Bleeding more and more heavily over the years and it just started as you are describing above. Every few months and then weeks the problem would occur, I became weaker and weaker. The doctors would prescribe one thing after another and nothing really worked, just irritated it more. I was struggling to work (as a teacher) standing there in excruciating pain high on painkillers that just took the egde off the pain, constantly going to the toilet to wipe away the blood. As you may well know from experience I was living a hell on earth! Finally I went to see a doctor at Fawkham Manor Hospital in Kent UK. He did every test imaginable to find out the cause and came up with no real cause for the problem. However this doctor knew exactly what he was talking about and said it would take a simple operation to fix. He said the bowel muscles were tightening up and some oh the fibres would need to be cut, this could of course leave me incontinent if not done precicely. Considering the pain I was in I agreed to this. The operation was simple, recovery took four weeks and I thank thelord that I have never had this problem since. I went through years of suffering but the cure was simple! All I can say is that I hope this helps all of you and if you are suffering the early stages of this then see a doctor because in the long term it will become unbearable!
Posted by david on 13/12/2009 at 11:09:00 pm
i have had diarhorrea for 7 days which i saw a doctor about recently was given a sample bottle i am now waiting for the lab results the diarhorrea was watery this seems to have stopped after taking dioralyte ive just been to the toilet with stomach pain that i was thinking was another diarrhorea attack but nothing when i looked in the toilet bowl there was quite a lot of bright coulered blood is this from the diarrhorea that ive had for 7 days
Posted by mel on 08/12/2009 at 03:08:00 pm
my daughter is bleeding from the back passage but shes only 12
Posted by Anonymous on 02/12/2009 at 02:43:00 pm
Im 18 and lately when wiping my back passage ive noticed bright red blood on the tissue, it started as just a tiny spot but the last few times its been a bit worse, but theres no pain at all im getting dead worried about it :(
Posted by SHN9 on 13/11/2009 at 11:55:00 pm
I had my tonsils out when i were 14 and were on these pain killers that made me constipated for ages... since then i developed small pile in out side my anus, and it is pain when going to the toilet... recently my diet has been quiet poor and ive been eating alot of junk and the problem seems to be gettin worse... i discovered small blood clots about half the size of a pea this is worrying me too because my grandmother sufferd frm bowel cancer around the time i were born.....
Posted by Anonymous on 06/11/2009 at 04:43:00 am
Hi I am always bloated and constipated and sometimes experience anal bleeding when passing the stools.I have tried several remedies but they don't help and I also tried hi-fibre diet with no success.Please help.
Posted by Anonymous on 21/10/2009 at 09:16:00 pm
I have had some bleeding from the anal now for some months coming and going,and just later it as become more and really red,I have had a feel of the area and I have notice some little lumps that are at the side,they don,t hurt are itch,i am really worried it is the start of some thing really bad,is there any one out there that might beable to tell me what it might be.Thank you,
Posted by shabeena on 02/10/2009 at 12:48:00 am
hello since i have guiven a birth to my baby I am having bleeding from back passage with clots and dark red bloood with feaces even when i pass urine as well blood spurts all over in toilet i am start having lot of pain and tiredness when i told doctor she says after delivery i had this problem it will last for at least a year can you please help me and advice me thankyou shabeena
Posted by Vicky Johnson on 22/09/2009 at 07:33:00 pm
I have been feeling unwell for about six months and lost about 2 stone in weight. My GP has arranged for quite a few tests including an MRI scan of head and neck because of suffering from headaches and a stiff neck. This and all other tests have all been clear.Including a chest x-ray. Yesterday I started bleeding from my back passage,it was bright red blood. My doctor has examined me for Piles but cannot locate any and is now sending me for more tests. I understood because blood was bright red in colour that it probably came from lower down, is this a correct assumption/
Posted by Anonymous on 26/08/2009 at 01:56:00 pm
I'm 19 and whenever I've had a poo and wiped myself, there's been a small amount of blood on the tissue but there has been no pain at all. I just assumed there was a small tear on the anus that would heal but last night when I wiped myself there was alot of blood and blood in the toilet but still no pain or discomfort. I'm not sure what this is and would be grateful if I could get some advice other than 'see your doctor'
Posted by Anonymous on 23/08/2009 at 12:17:00 am
when I poo and wipe theres blood on the tissue but my poo is normally hard. Theres never much blood but there is normally always blood every time I poo. I'm just worried what it is really.
Posted by Anonymous on 07/07/2009 at 02:06:00 am
I'm a 15 year old girl and I've had dark red blood passing through my back passage , somtims its in clots but it doesn't happen all the time just every now and then & I don't know what to do. I told my mum the first time it happened and she said to go to the doctors but the next day I came on my period so we left it , plus I didn't want to go. But I haven't told her about the recent times its happened because I don't want to go to the doctors and have a stranger look at me down there , I've been up nights on end not knowing what to do and I cry because I don't know what to do , Can anyone help me ? Please help A.J.C
Posted by leena on 02/06/2009 at 05:59:00 pm
I have this anal bleeding since 2007. I haven't showed to any doctor or shared with my family. It doesn't pain, its just that bleeding doesnt stop untill i get up from the bowl. I read about it but if anyone knows how much it cost for doctor without insurance... help me pls..
Posted by common on 30/05/2009 at 03:12:00 pm
i experienced the bleeding for the first time about 3 years ago, i had the colonoscopy and it came up all clear but ever since i still get it randomly...sometimes bugger all but other times really bad ive sorta just learnt to deal with it and is it just me or does this seem a fairly common senario, theres just gotta be a really common cause for this kinda thing and id love to find some sorta cure because it still freaks me out every time
Posted by Anonymous on 18/04/2009 at 08:56:00 pm
occasionally when i go to the toilet to poo it sometimes brings blood out with it.
Posted by Anonymous on 13/04/2009 at 12:43:00 am
i dont know..i just went to the toilet today and saw that there was some red colour mixed in with my feaces and some mixed in the toilet water..well straight tommorow morning am gonna get checked up and get treted hopefully.
Posted by steph on 03/04/2009 at 09:20:00 pm
i am bleeding bright red blood when i try to open my bowels. there is white like sponge like stuff around the clots
Posted by anal bleeding on 21/03/2009 at 06:08:00 am
u am gay an have been analy bleeding ever since i had unprotected sex would rhis be an std
Posted by kiki on 18/03/2009 at 07:09:00 pm
i recently has seen blood in the toilet when im passing stool i had anal sex with my bf for the first time 2 weeks ago and ever since last week my stool has had blood in it its like i had my period the out my butt i don't know what to do i don't want to go to a doctor because my parents don't no im having sex yet and to be truthful im scared
Posted by Anonymous on 18/03/2009 at 06:54:00 pm
Ive hadding bleeding since 2002 been to doctors had 2 colonospeyes? they say its just hemrroides pulupes? ect.? ireally bleed alot Im also diabetic when i go its alot of blood when im done i still bleed even dripping from rectum its bad . they all say its hem pul ect i have 5 kids 3 are diabetices with insulin pumps i dont know what to do Ive gave up on it i dont even have insurence anymore because i kept getting sick that i lost it so now i let it go i think its more then what there saying im scared.
Posted by kimberly on 01/02/2009 at 05:52:00 pm
I have been bleeding from my anus for about three months and its in the tiolet and on tiolet paper.I have to keep wiping till bleeding eases up.
Posted by Piles on 23/01/2009 at 08:58:00 am
I am suffering long with anal recter piles. During passing stool it gets bleeding. I have change my foods (Fibre) to get relieve. Some times it stopped but sometimes it continued for 10 days.
Posted by love_thyself on 15/01/2009 at 11:51:00 pm
im not sure if this is serious or not. but when i was at work today, my stomach was hurting like, i felt a little bloated like? and i went to the bathroom and all i did was pee this time but when i wiped there was spots of blood coming from my anal area..its happened before but usually after i go number 2.. nothing really hurt other than the feeling of like my stomach was inflating in a sense..
Posted by jeff on 14/01/2009 at 10:10:00 pm
its fresh blood bleeding not every day but in tree days some time more or less, its stops for few months and starts bleeding stys on few days and stops fo some time. please if any cure or medication.
Posted by del on 13/01/2009 at 04:15:00 pm
i have had a swelling stomach for two year now,terrible stomach pains,all getting the all clear from blood tests,but now i am tired ,sick terrible burping& now blood clots from my anal passage even when urinating
Posted by MrWiggy on 11/01/2009 at 10:23:00 pm
A few days ago I woke with bad stomach pain. After going to the toilet a couple of times, I started passing blood every
Posted by Anonymous on 11/01/2009 at 09:15:00 pm
for a few months now i have had anal bleeding while passing stools for the first few weeks it has been a drop and now its really bad but have no pain while passing stools
Posted by jennyo1077 on 07/01/2009 at 08:52:00 pm
my husband dont want to go to the dr
Posted by Diane on 03/01/2009 at 10:45:00 pm
I just went to the loo and had a number 2 and i whiped my anal and there was blood on the tissue then i looked in the loo and there was blood in the loo i dont want the doctor to look down there and i haven't told my dad i m scared in case its something like cancer please help?
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Anal bleeding
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- Anal itching
- Anal pain
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- Anal bleeding
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- Seeing your doctor about an anal problem
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