Blood after bowel movement

Rectal bleeding is a relatively common complaint. Most of the time, the presence of a little bit of bright red blood on the toilet paper after having a BM is the result of benign anorectal disease (most commonly due to hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or chronic constipation). Very rarely, in people in your age group, a malignant lesion is the cause.

It is, unfortunately, impossible to render a specific diagnosis over the Internet. Although the odds are far greater that your symptoms are from a benign anorectal condition, you should follow-up with your primary physician and have him or her examine you. If your primary doctor believes that your symptoms should be further evaluated, then a referral to a Gastroenterologist would then be in order.

Sincerely, Robert A. Wascher, MD, FACS