Bleeding from the bottom (rectal bleeding)
A small amount of one-off bleeding from the bottom is not usually a serious problem. But a GP can check.
If these symptoms are severe, persistent or worsening, seek medical advice promptly.
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A small amount of one-off bleeding from the bottom is not usually a serious problem. But a GP can check.
Signs of bleeding from the bottom
You might be bleeding from the bottom if you have:
- blood on your toilet paper
- red streaks on the outside of your poo
- pink water in the toilet bowl
- blood in your poo or bloody diarrhoea
- very dark poo (this can be blood mixed in poo)
A small amount of one-off bleeding can often go away on its own without needing treatment.
See a GP if:
- your child has blood in their poo
- you've had blood in your poo for 3 weeks
- your poo has been softer, thinner or longer than normal for 3 weeks
- you're in a lot of pain around the bottom
- you have a pain or lump in your tummy
- you've been more tired than usual
- you've lost weight for no reason
Go to A&E or call 112 if:
- you're bleeding non-stop
- there's a lot of blood – for example, the toilet water turns red or you see large blood clots
Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 112 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring any medicines you take with you.
What happens at the GP appointment
If you have bleeding from your bottom, a GP will check what's causing it.
They might:
- check your bottom (rectum) with a gloved finger (rectal examination)
- ask for a sample of poo for testing
- refer you to a specialist for tests
Bowel cancer risk
Bleeding from the bottom is sometimes a sign of bowel cancer.
This is easier to treat if it's found early, so it's important to get it checked.
Common causes of bleeding from the bottom
If you have other symptoms, this might give you an idea of the cause.
Do not self-diagnose. See a GP if you're worried.
Bright red blood on toilet paper, streaks on poo, pink toilet water
| Symptoms | Possible causes |
|---|---|
|
Bright red blood and pain when pooing, itchy bottom, lumps |
|
|
Bright red blood and pain when pooing – often after constipation |
A small tear in your anus (anal fissure) |
|
Bleeding with or without lumps, itching or pain |
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like genital warts, damage from anal sex |
|
Bright red blood without pain |
Side effect of medicine to help prevent blood clots like warfarin and apixaban (anticoagulants) or aspirin. Broken blood vessels in the gut (angiodysplasia) |
Blood in poo or blood with slime
Poo can look like it's mixed with blood if you've eaten a lot of red or purple foods like tomatoes and beetroot.
But it's sometimes a sign of something else. A GP can check if you're worried.
| Symptoms | Possible causes |
|---|---|
|
Blood and yellow slime when pooing, irritated anus, non stop bottom pain |
Anal fistula |
|
Bloody diarrhoea with clear slime, feeling and being sick |
Tummy bug (gastroenteritis) |
|
Bloody diarrhoea, tummy cramps and pain, feeling bloated |
An inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease |
|
Blood in poo |
Bleeding in the anus, bowel or lower gut from injury or another problem |
|
Blood in poo, change in pooing habits (like looser poo, diarrhoea or constipation), slime with poo |
Bowel polyps, early signs of bowel cancer |
Very dark or black blood or poo
Poo can look very dark or black if you:
- take iron tablets
- eat a lot of dark foods like liquorice and blueberries
But it's sometimes a sign of something else. A GP can do a test to check this if you're worried.
| Symptoms | Possible causes |
|---|---|
|
Dark or black poo |
Bleeding in the stomach or gut – can be from injury or a side effect of medicine to help prevent blood clots like warfarin and apixaban (anticoagulants) or aspirin |
|
Dark blood or poo with tummy pain or cramps |
Stomach ulcer |
|
Dark blood without pain |
Side effect of medicine to help prevent blood clots like warfarin and apixaban (anticoagulants) or aspirin |
