Sudden increase in rectal bleeding
27F, I had a colonoscopy almost 2 years ago and was diagnosed with small internal hemorrhoids and occasionally get anal fissures. Since then I have very intermittent episodes of a tiny bit of blood in stool. Yesterday I had a firm bowel movement after a stretch of loose/diarrhea stools, felt a fissure tear as it passed, and saw some blood, nothing I hadn’t dealt with before.
A couple hours later I tried to go again, couldn’t, but there was ALOT more blood in the bowl than I’d normally see. (Photo attached) Since then it’s been intermittent, a little blood on stool but nothing on toilet paper, one instance of a small amount of blood dripping with no straining at all (first thing in the morning), and now blood mixed into a normal-looking stool.
No blood in my underwear, no clots, no dizziness, no weight loss, no other symptoms. Blood has consistently been bright red. I had routine bloodwork last week that came back normal. I have always had bowel issues (bloating, gas, irregular bowel movements) but was never diagnosed with anything.
I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow already scheduled. Just wondering if this pattern is consistent with a fissure/hemorrhoid flare, or if this sounds like something more serious? I’ve never had this much blood before so my health anxiety is spiraling.
Posted Aug 10, 2026, 4:16 PM UTC