Rectal Bleeding: Common Causes and When to See a Doctor

Seeing blood when you wipe or in the toilet can be frightening. Most of the time the cause is minor and treatable, but rectal bleeding should always be checked, because it can also be a sign of polyps or colon cancer.

Common causes

• Hemorrhoids: bright red blood on toilet paper or dripping into the bowl
• Anal fissure: a small tear that causes sharp pain with bowel movements
• Diverticular bleeding: sudden, painless bleeding from diverticula
• Colitis: inflammation from infection, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease
• Polyps or colon cancer

Go to the emergency room if you have

• Heavy bleeding or large clots
• Dizziness, fainting, or a racing heart
• Black, tarry stools (this can mean bleeding higher in the digestive tract)

See a gastroenterologist if you have

• Any new rectal bleeding, especially at age 45 or older
• Bleeding with a change in bowel habits, weight loss, or belly pain
• Anemia (low blood count)
• A family history of colon cancer

Evaluation and treatment

We start with a history and exam. Many patients need a colonoscopy to find the source. Treatment depends on the cause. For example, bleeding hemorrhoids can often be treated in a few minutes with non-surgical hemorrhoid banding, and polyps can be removed during colonoscopy.

Make an appointment

Our gastroenterologists in Temple City care for patients from Arcadia, San Gabriel, Pasadena, Monrovia, Monterey Park, and across the San Gabriel Valley. We accept most PPO plans (see accepted insurances), and our doctors speak English, Vietnamese, and Mandarin. Schedule an appointment or call 626-898-4560.

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your own health.