No one wants to admit to blood in your poo – but it’s something we need to talk about since it could signal something serious. What you need to know…
If there’s one thing we’re embarrassed to talk about, it’s what goes down in the bathroom. If we could, we’d totally hold up the charade that ladies don’t poop at all.
So when something is off – like noticing blood in your stool – the poo taboo can make you want to ignore it. But not talking about it could be dangerous when it comes to your health. That’s because your poop is a window into what’s going on in your gut, says Niket Sonpal, a gastroenterologist and clinical professor of medicine in New York City.
Just keep this in mind: Noticing blood on your toilet paper or in the toilet after you go could be caused by a variety of different things – and heading directly to a medical professional is always the best way to find out what’s what. That being said, Sonpal says some causes are more likely (and less scary) than others.
The colour of the blood can give you a clue as to where the underlying issue might be.
READ MORE: This Is What Happens To Your Body When You Hold In Your Poop
Ulcer
Darker, almost blackish blood typically comes from the upper GI tract (your stomach or oesophagus), which could mean you have an ulcer. Ulcers are fairly common – about 10 percent of people will develop one at some point in their lives. For the majority of cases, treatment is relatively simple. Taking the right medication, reducing stress, cutting out alcohol and stop smoking can all help them heal.
Hemorrhoids
Meanwhile, “seeing bright red or maroon coloured blood is most commonly from a lower GI tract source, meaning the small intestine or colon,” says Sonpal. Hemorrhoids commonly cause bright red blood on toilet paper or in the bowl. “Haemorrhoids are scary because they bleed a lot,” says Sonpal, who suggests fibre-friendly dietary changes as a way to prevent developing them in the first place.
Anal Fissure
Another common cause of bright red blood could be an anal fissure, a tear that can be caused by anything from constipation to childbirth.
However, Sonpal stresses that you should never assume your bleeding is just a hemorrhoid and that you should see your doc for an official diagnosis (don’t be shy – we swear, they’ve seen everything!).
READ MORE: 6 Reasons You’re Pooping A Whole Lot More Than Usual
Colorectal Cancer
In some instances, blood in your stool could mean colorectal cancer. It’s important to note, though, that the amount of blood is often unnoticeable to the regular eye – so the rule of thumb is prevention, prevention, prevention. If you have a history of GI cancers in your family, Sonpal suggests starting regular colonoscopies earlier than the recommended age of 50.
“The bottom line is, blood in the stool is never considered normal,” says Sonpal. So if you notice anything out of the ordinary, get your behind to a doctor right away.
Looking for more info on your bowels? Here’s what the experts say about keeping things ‘regular’, and here’s our easy guide for pooping politely.
This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com
