Sometimes there is blood in the stool, sometimes not. What could be the reason?
Disease description:
I have noticed blood in my stool occasionally over the past period, which has caused me great concern. I would like to know what could cause blood in the stool sometimes and not at other times?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Blood in the stool sometimes but not always can be caused by various factors. Constipation is a common cause; long-term or severe constipation may result in hard, dry stools that can injure the mucous membrane of the rectum or anal canal during defecation, leading to intermittent bleeding. Hemorrhoids are another common cause; patients may experience intermittent bleeding after bowel movements due to irritation or pressure on the hemorrhoids during defecation. Additionally, rectal polyps can cause similar symptoms, with the frequency of bleeding potentially influenced by the degree of inflammation, size of the lesion, and progression of the polyp. More serious conditions such as intestinal diseases and rectal cancer also can lead to intermittent blood in the stool. It is recommended that individuals experiencing this symptom seek timely medical evaluation for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
