Rectal Bleeding

[Torslanda]

Please be nice peeps. This has taken some screwing up of courage to post.

What can be the consequences and causes of rectal bleeding?

I am a heterosexual male of 48 years and there is no external cause that I know of.

I am due to see the doctor this afternoon and intend to mention it. It isn't causing any actual pain or discomfort but it is disconcerting.

[Ariadne]

If it's fresh red blood, the chances are that it's just caused by piles or a tear.

(edit) and therefore not something to be very worried about - maybe a look at your diet might help, but not a big problem.

(edit edit) but yes, do mention it!

[Chris S]

Yes - mention it to your doctor. Definitely.

[Regulator]

There can be quite a few things that cause rectal bleeding - and most of them are relatively benign.  Things like piles, or even over zealous arse-wiping, can cause blood spotting.

If it is relatively fresh (bright red) blood, and in small quantities, then that tends to be a good sign.  

But you're doing the right thing discussing it with your GP.  However, don't be surprised if he wants to pop a finger up, or if he gives you a pot for a sample.

[Biggsy]

I can't help with the particular question, but I just want to post some reassurance that an examination in that area won't be as bad as you might think - especially if you can manage to relax.

[mrcharly-YHT]

Bleeding that you see in the toilet, or bleeding that you see when you wipe?

If the latter, it can be just fragile skin or piles. 

I burnt my botty and legs many years ago and it doesn't take much to break the skin and get blood on toilet tissue.

[hellymedic]

Rectal bleeding needs proper investigation.
End of.
Srsly.

Everyone has an a**ehole and doctors are familiar with them, embarrassing as the situation may be.

The causes of rectal bleeding are many and various from skin cuts and piles through inflammatory bowel disease to polyps and bowel cancer. Don't die of embrrassment. Get checked out. I have posted.

Good luck; we're thinking of you.

[Regulator]

Rectal bleeding needs proper investigation.
End of.
Srsly.

Everyone has an a**ehole and doctors are familiar with them, embarrassing as the situation may be.

The causes of rectal bleeding are many and various from skin cuts and piles through inflammatory bowel disease to polyps and bowel cancer. Don't die of embrrassment. Get checked out. I have posted.

Good luck; we're thinking of you.

Deffers!

[Torslanda]

Thanks for your support everyone. Doctor had a quick look but nothing found.

Reckons straining or constipation may have caused it or piles.  As my father has endured cancer treatmant recently my mind was full of age-related worry.

Bloods to be done on Wednesday, full service and MOT 

Appreciated

John

[perpetual dan]

I hope they continue to find nothing. Bleeding there was the first sign of bowel cancer for my Dad, but seeing the doc quickly means he's still alive now.

[Torslanda]

That's what I was worried about . . .

[hellymedic]

That's what I was worried about . . .

Of course you worried; who wouldn't?

Bowel cancer, if caught early, has an excellent chance of successful and uncomplicated treatment.

[Regulator]

That's what I was worried about . . .

Of course you worried; who wouldn't?

Bowel cancer, if caught early, has an excellent chance of successful and uncomplicated treatment.

Yep.  BTDTGTTS - and still going 28 years later. 

[Jaded]

You may have to have an outside broadcast crew to investigate you.

[rogerzilla]

I used to have rectal bleeding at university.  It was the John Wayne* toilet paper they provided in Hall.  I'm not making this up.


*rough, tough and takes shit from no-one.

[rogerzilla]

Funny you should say that...a schoolfriend of mine, who started work at 16, was horrified when he found out I was going to university because "everyone's gay there, aren't they?".

I think he'd been watching Brideshead Revisited on ITV.

[Wowbagger]

I had regular rectal bleeding when I was about 18. I put it down to too many hours on the saddle of a BSA Bantam and it cleared up immediately when I went on a walking holiday. Shortly afterwards I started college and hardly rode the motor bike again. Haven't had it since.