A patient’s story
Ellis, 51, noticed streaks of blood on the toilet paper after using the bathroom. He felt well otherwise and assumed it was haemorrhoids. When the bleeding persisted, he sought medical advice. Investigations showed a treatable bowel condition that had been silently progressing. Early assessment made all the difference.
Seeing blood in your poo is alarming, but it should never be ignored.
What does blood in your poo mean?
Blood in your stool, also known as rectal bleeding, indicates bleeding somewhere in the digestive tract. In many cases, the cause is minor. In others, it can signal a more serious gastrointestinal condition.
Rarely, it may be associated with bowel cancer, which is why assessment is important even when symptoms are mild.
Symptoms that may occur alongside blood in poo
You may also experience:
Abdominal pain or cramping
Bloating
Diarrhoea or constipation
Nausea or vomiting
Fatigue or dizziness
When should you seek urgent medical care?
Seek urgent medical attention if blood in your poo is accompanied by:
Large volumes of bleeding
Sudden bloody diarrhoea
Fever
Severe abdominal pain
Lightheadedness or weakness
Rapid or shallow breathing
What does blood in poo look like?
Blood may appear in different ways:
Blood on toilet paper
Red streaks on stool
Pink or red toilet water
Bloody diarrhoea
Black, tarry stool
The colour of the blood often helps identify where the bleeding is coming from.
What the colour of blood tells us
Bright red blood
Usually comes from the lower bowel or rectum.
Common causes include:
Haemorrhoids
Anal fissures
Diverticular disease
Inflammatory bowel disease
Infection or severe gastroenteritis
Medication effects
Bowel cancer
Bright red bleeding is also common during pregnancy and postpartum due to haemorrhoids or fissures.
Dark red or maroon blood
Suggests bleeding higher in the colon or small intestine, and occasionally the stomach.
Possible causes include:
Diverticular disease
Ulcers
Bleeding within the bowel
Bowel cancer (less common)
Black, tarry stool
Indicates bleeding from the upper digestive tract, such as:
Oesophagus
Stomach
Duodenum
Common causes include:
Stomach ulcers
Severe gastritis
Upper GI bleeding
Iron supplements and dark foods can also darken stool, but this should still be discussed with a doctor.
Occult or hidden blood
Sometimes blood is not visible and is detected only by stool testing.
Possible causes include:
Polyps
Ulcers
Inflammatory bowel disease
Diverticular disease
Bowel cancer
Polyps and bowel cancer
Blood in poo is rarely caused by cancer, but awareness matters.
Symptoms that may raise concern:
Unexplained weight loss
Persistent fatigue
Change in bowel habits
Abdominal pain
Feeling an ongoing urge to open your bowels
How we diagnose the cause
Diagnosis depends on symptoms and risk factors. Tests may include:
Stool tests
Blood tests
Digital rectal examination
Abdominal imaging
Endoscopy, such as colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy
Treatment options
Treatment depends on the cause and may include:
Lifestyle and dietary changes
Medication
Endoscopic treatment to stop bleeding
Surgery, if required
Minor causes such as haemorrhoids or fissures often respond well to conservative management. More complex conditions require specialist care.
Expert assessment brings reassurance
At LSDC Clinic, we provide prompt, expert assessment of rectal bleeding to identify the cause and guide appropriate treatment. Early evaluation offers reassurance and, when needed, timely intervention.