Ambulance 912HAP 9252
Back to all symptoms and conditions
General health information

Rectal bleeding

Bright red blood on toilet paper or stool may come from haemorrhoids or a small fissure, but dark blood, black stool, a lot of blood or accompanying symptoms need urgent assessment.

In this article
Choose which sections to read

Rectal bleeding may be visible on paper, on stool, in the toilet bowl or as black, tar-like stool. Haemorrhoids and a small fissure are common causes, but bleeding must not automatically be attributed to them. Inflammation, polyps, medicines and bowel cancer may also cause bleeding.

  • Bright red blood often comes from the anus, rectum or large bowel; dark red or black blood may come from higher in the digestive tract.
  • A lot of blood, clots, fainting, becoming pale and clammy or black stool with weakness is urgent.
  • Call the same day for persistent or recurring bleeding, blood thinner use, abdominal pain, fever, weight loss or changed bowel movements.
  • The doctor assesses amount, colour, other symptoms and risk, and may recommend physical examination, blood tests or bowel investigations.
  • Normal colour or temporary improvement does not rule out a cause that bleeds intermittently.

Your response

Two anonymous questions

Did you find what you were looking for?

Do you now have a clearer idea of your next step?

Share article

Email

Do you need a healthcare provider after reading?

Search by type of care, organisation, name or district.

Further reading

Browse A–Z
S
Small tears in the anus (anal fissures)An anal fissure is a small tear in the lining at the anus. It often causes sharp pain when pooing, burning pain afterwards and a little bright red blood. Bleeding or pain can also have another cause and needs assessment if the pattern is not typical or does not improve.
P
Piles (haemorrhoids)Piles are enlarged cushions of blood vessels in or near the anus. They can cause bright red bleeding, itching, mucus, a feeling of pressure, pain or a lump that protrudes. Do not automatically assume that bleeding from the anus is caused by piles.
B
Bruised nailA nail may turn blue, dark red or black when blood is trapped beneath it after a blow, pressure or tight shoes. A small bruise usually grows out with the nail, but severe pain, major damage or discolouration without injury needs assessment.