What could be the cause of blood clots on passing motion?

Doctor's Answers 2

Seeing blood in the toilet, or with wiping after passing motion is common, especially when you are passing hard stools or constipated.

Most of the causes of such bleeding are not life-threatening; common causes include hemorrhoids and anal fissures. However, the only way to be certain of the cause is to be evaluated with a proper history and examination by a doctor.

This is especially so in light of your most recent problem of blood clots. You should definitely highlight it as soon as possible to the doctor whom you are seeing.

In general, the colour of the blood you pass is indicative of the source of the bleeding. The lighter and "fresher" the colour of the blood, the closer the bleeding is to your anus.

Bleeding from higher in your digestive tract, such as the stomach, produces darker coloured blood because stomach acid turns blood black. Passing blood from the rectum that is dark red or includes clots usually indicates bleeding from higher up in your colon as well.

There are many causes of rectal bleeding, such as:

  • Anal fissures (usually due to constipation)
  • Haemorrhoids
  • Diverticulosis
  • Colon polyps
  • Colon cancer

The best test for rectal bleeding depends on:

  • Your age
  • Symptoms
  • Past medical history.

Some of the tests/exams that your doctor may perform for you are as follows:

1. Rectal examination — Sometimes a doctor can detect the cause of your bleeding with a rectal examination alone. Given that you are relatively young and in your 20s, this examination may be all that is necessary.

2. Anoscopy — Anoscopy allows your doctor to inspect the anus and lower rectum. It can be done in the clinic and does not require sedation.

3. Sigmoidoscopy — During a sigmoidoscopy, a doctor can examine the rectum and most of the lower large intestine. It can also be done without sedation.

4. Colonoscopy — A colonoscopy is a procedure in which your doctor inserts a thin tube with a light and camera at the end, via your back passage, to examine your entire colon. You will be sedated for this procedure.

Your doctor will be the best person to advice you on which of the above tests you need! Hope that helps!

Seeing blood in the toilet, or with wiping after passing motion is common, especially when you are passing hard stools or constipated.

Most of the causes of such bleeding are not life-threatening; common causes include hemorrhoids and anal fissures. However, the only way to be certain of the cause is to be evaluated with a proper history and examination by a doctor.

This is especially so in light of your most recent problem of blood clots. You should definitely highlight it as soon as possible to the doctor whom you are seeing.

In general, the colour of the blood you pass is indicative of the source of the bleeding. The lighter and "fresher" the colour of the blood, the closer the bleeding is to your anus.

Bleeding from higher in your digestive tract, such as the stomach, produces darker coloured blood because stomach acid turns blood black. Passing blood from the rectum that is dark red or includes clots usually indicates bleeding from higher up in your colon as well.

There are many causes of rectal bleeding, such as:

  • Anal fissures (usually due to constipation)
  • Haemorrhoids
  • Diverticulosis
  • Colon polyps
  • Colon cancer

The best test for rectal bleeding depends on:

  • Your age
  • Symptoms
  • Past medical history.

Some of the tests/exams that your doctor may perform for you are as follows:

1. Rectal examination — Sometimes a doctor can detect the cause of your bleeding with a rectal examination alone. Given that you are relatively young and in your 20s, this examination may be all that is necessary.

2. Anoscopy — Anoscopy allows your doctor to inspect the anus and lower rectum. It can be done in the clinic and does not require sedation.

3. Sigmoidoscopy — During a sigmoidoscopy, a doctor can examine the rectum and most of the lower large intestine. It can also be done without sedation.

4. Colonoscopy — A colonoscopy is a procedure in which your doctor inserts a thin tube with a light and camera at the end, via your back passage, to examine your entire colon. You will be sedated for this procedure.

Your doctor will be the best person to advice you on which of the above tests you need! Hope that helps!

Similar Questions

Am I more at risk of blood clots if I have a broken fifth metatarsal fracture and go on a long-haul flight?

Thank you for making contact and I can understand your concerns. It seems there are two issues here: Firstly your concerns about blood clots, or what is medically known as deep vein thrombosis. Immobilisation can be a risk factor, together with others including a previous history of clots, being on a combined oral contraceptive, various auto-immune conditions and also if you smoke. Then there are the flight factors such as being in a cramped cabin, drinking alcohol and the flight duration. Indeed, there are many!

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Answered By

Dr Dinesh Sirisena

Sport Medicine

How can I prevent blood clots on the whites of my eyes after LASIK?

Hi Susanne In the first step of the LASIK procedure, a ‘flap’ is created using a femtosecond laser (or, in the past, a special blade called a microkeratome). During this step, the laser is ‘connected’/docked to the eye with a ring-like device that grips the white part of your eye. You can watch an animation here: There are many small blood vessels on this part of the eye, and sometimes the suction pressure providing the grip may cause some of the blood vessels to leak some blood, causing red patches after the LASIK.

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