Can gastric ulcers cause bloody stools?

Gastric ulcers may cause hematochezia (blood in the stool). If a gastric ulcer is severe, it can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding—a complication that manifests as hematochezia. In such cases, stools may appear dark red or tarry (melena); hematemesis (vomiting blood) may also occur. Therefore, gastric ulcers can indeed cause hematochezia. Hematochezia associated with gastric ulcers is often linked to improper diet and adverse emotional states. Moreover, numerous other conditions—such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and intestinal diseases—can also cause hematochezia.