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Original poster

Blood in stools

28 replies

monkeyadja · 12/08/2024 22:56

Hello I am hoping someone can give me some sound advice as I'm struggling to cope.

I am worried sick because the last two months I have seen red blood on my stool and slightly inside. On both these occasions I have had a heavy period and the blood has gone away once the period has lessened. I have had many gynaecological investigations so know I haven't got endometriosis that could cause this.

Please can someone help as I'm out of my mind with worry and don't know what to do. Thank you x

OP posts:
GrazingSheep · 12/08/2024 22:58

You need to make an appointment with your gp.

OlympicGoldfish · 12/08/2024 23:04

Make a GP appointment tomorrow.

Catandsquirrel · 12/08/2024 23:05

I agree make an appointment with GP absolutely.

Sorry, just so I understand, you have experienced bleeding from your bowel during the heaviest time of your period but not otherwise? Any abdo pain, diarrhoea, constipation?

Original poster
monkeyadja · 12/08/2024 23:07

Cat - yes, blood on some parts of stool during the heaviest couple of days of my period, but nothing after x

OP posts:
Hillsmakeyoustrong · 12/08/2024 23:33

It could be (internal) piles that flare up on your heavy days? Are you sure its not period blood?

Corksoles · 12/08/2024 23:35

Isn't this just period blood? This has happened to me since well, since my periods started. I'm now peri menopausal, and it hasnt killed me. Though no harm checking with GP.

Original poster
monkeyadja · 12/08/2024 23:37

Thank you for your replies.

I just can’t see how period blood could actually coat part of the stool?

OP posts:
Happyasapiginmuck1 · 12/08/2024 23:40

Please make a GP appointment asap. It may be nothing, it may be something but the sooner you know, the better.

Corksoles · 12/08/2024 23:42

monkeyadja · 12/08/2024 23:37

Thank you for your replies.

I just can’t see how period blood could actually coat part of the stool?

Not a dr but it's happened to me for over 25 years so it must be possible!

Catandsquirrel · 13/08/2024 06:36

You could potentially have endometriosis just in the bowel (I don't know if you were checked for this), or maybe haemorrhoids or a fissure. I wonder, if it only happens when it's a heavy period, it also wonder whether could just hard be hard to tell where the blood is coming from.

If course it could be things not linked to the period so get checked just in case, but try not to worry.

Original poster
monkeyadja · 14/08/2024 16:05

Thank you for all your replies.

i keep checking my stools, actually inspecting them; I know how bad this sounds, but I’m so so worried.

The thing is, how will I know if I’m bleeding unless I do this - during my period the whole toilet bowl is filled with blood and it would be hard to see unless I inspected it.

sorry I know it’s tmi

x

OP posts:
hopeishere · 14/08/2024 16:44

So is it the blood in the bowl is going over the stool? Or as you pass the stool it is coated in blood from your period?

It was a massacre in the bowl when I had my periods!

But check with your GP to put your mind at rest.

Hillsmakeyoustrong · 14/08/2024 17:24

If there is only blood in your stool when you are on your period then I'd say chances are very high it's your period blood. You can get poo tests at Boots as well which you would need to do when not on your period. You take a sample, send it in the post and a laboratory will analyse it for you.

Kitkat1523 · 14/08/2024 17:30

See your gp …..he will organise an immeadiate stool tests and dependant on these you will be referred via the 2 week pathway or standard for colonoscopy ….ring first thing in morning

AtomHeartMotherOfGod · 14/08/2024 17:42

You can still see your GP, but to stop you worrying quite so much about cancer, I expect this is just an anal fissure that's bleeding. I understand that bright red blood is more likely to be from something like that, and that bleeding in the bowel that could be from something more sinister makes your stools blacker in colour and isn't bright red.

You probably see it on your period because you get constipated then; I always did and it's a known side effect of menstruation I think? Constipation strains your anus, which splits a little at the edges and bleeds. It's very common.

Look on NHS for symptoms of both but remember that unless you have several of the markers, you're not likely to have cancer.

Luluco · 14/08/2024 17:46

It’s likely to be period blood if it doesn’t happen at any other time but it’s best to go to the GP just to make sure and put your mind at rest .

Original poster
monkeyadja · 14/08/2024 17:58

I’m honestly not sure. Some bits are coated in red but the blood Is filling the bowl from my period so it’s hard to tell where it’s coming from

OP posts:
halava · 14/08/2024 18:13

It might seem a bit unhygienic to some, but I'd try using tampons to see if the blood appears or not. Then you will know.

WearsblackLoveschocolateAvoidspeople · 14/08/2024 18:25

When you say you’ve had tests for endo what tests were they? Did you have an mri or laparoscopy?
I ask because I’ve had years of gynae issues and have only just found out, 12 years on that I have endometriosis and adenomyosis.
The rectal bleeding whilst on your period could definitely point to endo on the bowel which would only be seen during a lap.

Corksoles · 14/08/2024 21:50

WearsblackLoveschocolateAvoidspeople · 14/08/2024 18:25

When you say you’ve had tests for endo what tests were they? Did you have an mri or laparoscopy?
I ask because I’ve had years of gynae issues and have only just found out, 12 years on that I have endometriosis and adenomyosis.
The rectal bleeding whilst on your period could definitely point to endo on the bowel which would only be seen during a lap.

Edited

I strongly suspect that this is what's happening with me given the mind blowing period pain I used to have. I raised it with a gynae once who basically said - you may have endo but the process of finding out will be worse than having it...

Hillsmakeyoustrong · 15/08/2024 00:13

@Corksoles I've had 2 laparascopies and they were fine. I was in and out the first time with a mild diagnosis but had to stay overnight the second time as they had to remove the endo from everywhere but my bowel. I think it's important to know whether you have endo or not, especially for women who are trying to conceive or have other inflammatory health conditions. Even knowing to have it removed and then kept in check with the coil for a less painful cycle is worth the lap. Women get fobbed off too easily about endo.

Corksoles · 15/08/2024 01:25

@Hillsmakeyoustrong I totally agree on fobbed off. My younger life was wretched with period pain which was dismissed at every turn. I was bouncing off the walls.

I'm now right at the other end of my menstrual life I suspect, and the pain isn't really an issue, so I think it isn't worth it for me. But yeah, you're absolutely right- women shouldn't get ignored on this stuff.

Hillsmakeyoustrong · 15/08/2024 16:35

Yes I'm the other end now, actually went through early-ish menopause @Corksoles and it does get less bothersome as the oestrogen reduces so yes I wouldn't bother now. Sorry you went through it and felt fobbed off too.

Elsewhere123 · 15/08/2024 16:59

This sounds revolting but get yourself a jam jar and collect a sample. Much easier for a doctor to see it than any description. NB a GP told me to do this.

Nomoreplease2016 · 02/09/2024 15:30

How are you now @monkeyadja OP? Any update ?