FAQs
How would I know if I am bleeding from my bottom?
You may notice any of these:
– 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, smelly poo (this can be blood mixed in poo)
When should I seek medical advice?
Request an urgent GP appointment when:
– your poo is black or dark red
– you have bloody diarrhoea for no obvious reason
SEEK URGENT MEDICAL ADVICE BY CALLING 999 OR GO DIRECTLY TO YOUR NEAREST A&E IF THERE IS A LOT OF BLOOD – FOR INSTANCE, IF THE TOILET WATER TURNS RED AND YOU CAN SEE CLOTS OF BLOOD.
What other symptoms should I be aware of?
If you are experiencing any one or more of the following, report these additional symptoms to your GP:
– pain around the bottom
– a pain or lump in your tummy
– feeling more tired than usual
– weight loss for no reason
What will my GP do?
It is likely that your GP will carry out a rectal examination with a gloved finger. This may feel uncomfortable and undignified but it is necessary for your GP to be able to understand what may be causing the bleeding. They may also ask for a sample of poo for testing and may refer you to a specialist.
FURTHER INFORMATION FROM THE NHS