What To Do If You Have Rectal Bleeding

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors
Medically Reviewed by Sanjay Ponkshe, MD on June 12, 2024
1 min read
  • Large amounts of bright red blood, clots in the toilet bowl, or nonstop bleeding
  • Shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, or extreme weakness with bleeding
  • Black, sticky stools accompanied by lightheadedness, chest pain or weakness
  • A history of liver disease, bleeding disorder, severe anemia, or a bleeding ulcer
  • Make an appointment to see your healthcare provider. While some causes of blood with bowel movements are minor, others, such as colon cancer, are serious.
  • Before the appointment with your healthcare provider, keep track of color and consistency of the blood and stool. Also keep track of symptoms such as rectal or abdominal pain, rectal pressure, constipation, diarrhea, cramping, fever, or mucus in the stools.