Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentComplicationsDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Complications
Diagnosis
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Rectal bleeding is not normal and it can be upsetting. There are common reasons for bleeding such ashemorrhoidsor a tear in the anal canal. Less common reasons include colon or rectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),diverticulosis, orischemic colitis.
This article will address some of the reasons for rectal bleeding and how the cause might be diagnosed and treated.
Chakrapong Worathat / EyeEm / Getty Images
Symptoms of Rectal Bleeding
The blood could be anything from bright red to black:
The amount of blood is also helpful in figuring out where it might be coming from. A little bit of blood in the toilet can look like a lot when it hits the water. It’s important to get a look at it so that you can give the healthcare provider an idea of how much blood might be involved.
Causes of Rectal Bleeding
There are several causes of rectal bleeding.
Some of the more common reasons include:
Some of the less common or rare reasons for rectal bleeding include:
What Is Diverticular Bleeding and What to Do About It
What Medications Can Cause Rectal Bleeding?
Some of them can include:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)such as Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen) can cause intestinal ulcers that can lead to rectal bleeding.
There are other medications that can increase the risk of bleeding in the body. If there’s an ulcer or another issue going on in the digestive system, a medication that increases bleeding could cause it to bleed more than it normally would.
Some of these medications are:
How to Treat Rectal Bleeding
The treatment for rectal bleeding will depend on the cause. These treatments may be used for the most common causes:
Treatments for less common causes include:
Complications and Risk Factors Associated With Rectal Bleeding
With severe blood loss, there is a risk of serious complications, including death. For bleeding that comes on suddenly and won’t stop, seek help in the emergency department right away.
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Rectal Bleeding?
In some cases, a test that can see the inside of the body is used to understand the cause of rectal bleeding. This could be a test to directly see inside the anus, rectum, and colon, or it could be an imaging test that gives a picture of the internal organs.
One or more of these tests might be used to find the cause of rectal bleeding:
Rectal bleeding is always a reason to have a touchpoint with a healthcare provider. For chronic conditions that cause bleeding during a flare-up, it is still important to get advice from a provider.
Bleeding from the rectum isn’t normal, and it is a sign that something is wrong. It could mean needing a diagnosis to find the cause of the bleeding or it could mean that a change is needed to better manage an already diagnosed condition.
Anal Cancer vs. Hemorrhoids: How to Tell the Difference
Summary
Rectal bleeding is always a reason to talk to a healthcare provider. There are many possible causes of bleeding from the rectum, and because it is not ever normal, it’s a sign that there’s a problem that needs to be addressed.
A Word From Verywell
Seeing blood in the toilet bowl, on toilet paper, or on or in the stool is a shock. Even if it has happened before and you already know that you have hemorrhoids, IBD, or diverticular disease, it is still unsettling.
You may choose to ignore the blood or to hope that the bleeding stops on its own. But it may not happen that way, and catching a problem earlier rather than later can get you the right diagnosis and treatment.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThere are many possible reasons for blood to be coming from the rectum but some of the most common conditions that cause bleeding are hemorrhoids, an anal tear or fissure, diverticular disease, or ulcers.Bleeding from the rectum should always be discussed with a healthcare provider to determine the cause because it could result from more serious conditions.If the bleeding is from a condition that can improve with home remedies, such as hemorrhoids, it might get better on its own. However, even if you have had hemorrhoids or an anal fissure before and think you have one again, you should still see a healthcare provider to be sure.This will ensure you get the right treatment and that the bleeding is not from a cause that needs to be treated in a different way.Colon cancer starts with an abnormal growth in the colon called a polyp. Polyps start out small and grow and may eventually start to bleed. The goal ofcolon cancer screeningis to remove the polyp before it gets larger and has the opportunity to turn cancerous.
There are many possible reasons for blood to be coming from the rectum but some of the most common conditions that cause bleeding are hemorrhoids, an anal tear or fissure, diverticular disease, or ulcers.Bleeding from the rectum should always be discussed with a healthcare provider to determine the cause because it could result from more serious conditions.
There are many possible reasons for blood to be coming from the rectum but some of the most common conditions that cause bleeding are hemorrhoids, an anal tear or fissure, diverticular disease, or ulcers.
Bleeding from the rectum should always be discussed with a healthcare provider to determine the cause because it could result from more serious conditions.
If the bleeding is from a condition that can improve with home remedies, such as hemorrhoids, it might get better on its own. However, even if you have had hemorrhoids or an anal fissure before and think you have one again, you should still see a healthcare provider to be sure.This will ensure you get the right treatment and that the bleeding is not from a cause that needs to be treated in a different way.
If the bleeding is from a condition that can improve with home remedies, such as hemorrhoids, it might get better on its own. However, even if you have had hemorrhoids or an anal fissure before and think you have one again, you should still see a healthcare provider to be sure.
This will ensure you get the right treatment and that the bleeding is not from a cause that needs to be treated in a different way.
Colon cancer starts with an abnormal growth in the colon called a polyp. Polyps start out small and grow and may eventually start to bleed. The goal ofcolon cancer screeningis to remove the polyp before it gets larger and has the opportunity to turn cancerous.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Percac-Lima S, Pace LE, Nguyen KH, Crofton CN, Normandin KA, Singer SJ, Rosenthal MB, Chien AT.Diagnostic evaluation of patients presenting to primary care with rectal bleeding.J Gen Intern Med. 2018;33:415-422. doi:10.1007/s11606-017-4273-x.MedlinePlus.Rectal bleeding.Matkovic Z, Zildzic M.Colonoscopic evaluation of lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB): Practical approach.Med Arch. 202;75:274-279. doi:10.5455/medarh.2021.75.274-279.Cho KM, Park SY, Chung JO, Jun CH, Kim TJ, Son DJ, Kim BS, Park CH, Kim HS, Choi SK, Rew JS.Risk factors for small bowel bleeding in chronic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug users.J Dig Dis. 2015;16:499-504. doi:10.1111/1751-2980.12269.American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.Anal fissure expanded information.Gardner IH, Siddharthan RV, Tsikitis VL.Benign anorectal disease: hemorrhoids, fissures, and fistulas.Ann Gastroenterol. 2020;33:9-18. doi:10.20524/aog.2019.0438American College of Gastroenterology.Peptic ulcer disease.Xu Y, Xiong L, Li Y, Jiang X, Xiong Z.Diagnostic methods and drug therapies in patients with ischemic colitis.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2021;36(1):47-56. doi:10.1007/s00384-020-03739-zMedlinePlus.Pseudomembranous colitis.MedlinePlus.Radiation enteritis.Strate LL, Gralnek IM. ACGClinical guideline: Management of patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding.Am J Gastroenterol. 2016;111:459-474. doi:10.1038/ajg.2016.41.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Percac-Lima S, Pace LE, Nguyen KH, Crofton CN, Normandin KA, Singer SJ, Rosenthal MB, Chien AT.Diagnostic evaluation of patients presenting to primary care with rectal bleeding.J Gen Intern Med. 2018;33:415-422. doi:10.1007/s11606-017-4273-x.MedlinePlus.Rectal bleeding.Matkovic Z, Zildzic M.Colonoscopic evaluation of lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB): Practical approach.Med Arch. 202;75:274-279. doi:10.5455/medarh.2021.75.274-279.Cho KM, Park SY, Chung JO, Jun CH, Kim TJ, Son DJ, Kim BS, Park CH, Kim HS, Choi SK, Rew JS.Risk factors for small bowel bleeding in chronic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug users.J Dig Dis. 2015;16:499-504. doi:10.1111/1751-2980.12269.American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.Anal fissure expanded information.Gardner IH, Siddharthan RV, Tsikitis VL.Benign anorectal disease: hemorrhoids, fissures, and fistulas.Ann Gastroenterol. 2020;33:9-18. doi:10.20524/aog.2019.0438American College of Gastroenterology.Peptic ulcer disease.Xu Y, Xiong L, Li Y, Jiang X, Xiong Z.Diagnostic methods and drug therapies in patients with ischemic colitis.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2021;36(1):47-56. doi:10.1007/s00384-020-03739-zMedlinePlus.Pseudomembranous colitis.MedlinePlus.Radiation enteritis.Strate LL, Gralnek IM. ACGClinical guideline: Management of patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding.Am J Gastroenterol. 2016;111:459-474. doi:10.1038/ajg.2016.41.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Percac-Lima S, Pace LE, Nguyen KH, Crofton CN, Normandin KA, Singer SJ, Rosenthal MB, Chien AT.Diagnostic evaluation of patients presenting to primary care with rectal bleeding.J Gen Intern Med. 2018;33:415-422. doi:10.1007/s11606-017-4273-x.MedlinePlus.Rectal bleeding.Matkovic Z, Zildzic M.Colonoscopic evaluation of lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB): Practical approach.Med Arch. 202;75:274-279. doi:10.5455/medarh.2021.75.274-279.Cho KM, Park SY, Chung JO, Jun CH, Kim TJ, Son DJ, Kim BS, Park CH, Kim HS, Choi SK, Rew JS.Risk factors for small bowel bleeding in chronic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug users.J Dig Dis. 2015;16:499-504. doi:10.1111/1751-2980.12269.American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.Anal fissure expanded information.Gardner IH, Siddharthan RV, Tsikitis VL.Benign anorectal disease: hemorrhoids, fissures, and fistulas.Ann Gastroenterol. 2020;33:9-18. doi:10.20524/aog.2019.0438American College of Gastroenterology.Peptic ulcer disease.Xu Y, Xiong L, Li Y, Jiang X, Xiong Z.Diagnostic methods and drug therapies in patients with ischemic colitis.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2021;36(1):47-56. doi:10.1007/s00384-020-03739-zMedlinePlus.Pseudomembranous colitis.MedlinePlus.Radiation enteritis.Strate LL, Gralnek IM. ACGClinical guideline: Management of patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding.Am J Gastroenterol. 2016;111:459-474. doi:10.1038/ajg.2016.41.
Percac-Lima S, Pace LE, Nguyen KH, Crofton CN, Normandin KA, Singer SJ, Rosenthal MB, Chien AT.Diagnostic evaluation of patients presenting to primary care with rectal bleeding.J Gen Intern Med. 2018;33:415-422. doi:10.1007/s11606-017-4273-x.
MedlinePlus.Rectal bleeding.
Matkovic Z, Zildzic M.Colonoscopic evaluation of lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB): Practical approach.Med Arch. 202;75:274-279. doi:10.5455/medarh.2021.75.274-279.
Cho KM, Park SY, Chung JO, Jun CH, Kim TJ, Son DJ, Kim BS, Park CH, Kim HS, Choi SK, Rew JS.Risk factors for small bowel bleeding in chronic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug users.J Dig Dis. 2015;16:499-504. doi:10.1111/1751-2980.12269.
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.Anal fissure expanded information.
Gardner IH, Siddharthan RV, Tsikitis VL.Benign anorectal disease: hemorrhoids, fissures, and fistulas.Ann Gastroenterol. 2020;33:9-18. doi:10.20524/aog.2019.0438
American College of Gastroenterology.Peptic ulcer disease.
Xu Y, Xiong L, Li Y, Jiang X, Xiong Z.Diagnostic methods and drug therapies in patients with ischemic colitis.Int J Colorectal Dis. 2021;36(1):47-56. doi:10.1007/s00384-020-03739-z
MedlinePlus.Pseudomembranous colitis.
MedlinePlus.Radiation enteritis.
Strate LL, Gralnek IM. ACGClinical guideline: Management of patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding.Am J Gastroenterol. 2016;111:459-474. doi:10.1038/ajg.2016.41.
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