Why have I had bloody anal mucus for 2 months?

Question

Hi doctor,

I currently have intermittent rectal bleeding. It has been happening on and off for about two months, typically once or twice a month, but it happened three times yesterday and three times today. What happens is I will have a regular bowel movement, then about 30 minutes later, I feel like I have to go again, and what comes out is just bloody mucus that kind of looks like a blood clot. I do not want to have anything invasive done.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read and can understand your concern. It might have been troublesome having such an issue. I have a few more questions I want to ask for clarity:

Have you lost any weight in the last two months?
Do you have a reduced appetite?
Do you have any family history of colon (large bowel) polyps or cancers?

The picture you uploaded (attachment removed to protect patient identity) seems to show that blood is coming out of the rectum (a part of the large bowel, also called the stool reservoir). Possible causes are ulcerative proctitis or ulcerative colitis, which means inflammation of the rectum and colon. Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune disease whereby the human immune cells work against the large bowel lining. Two other possible causes for such per rectal bleeding are infections and polyps. The polyps are finger-like projections that arise from the bowel wall's lining and protrude into the large bowel's lumen. They can turn to cancer in some instances. But do not be frightened, since there is an equal possibility that this is an infection or ulcerative colitis.

The next best investigation is a colonoscopy. A scope with a camera fitted over one end is passed into the large bowel, and allows it to see what is inside. Discuss this with your area physician and see how he or she feels. I highly recommend that you go for it. You can do the digital scanning of your anal canal and rectum and get valuable information from that. There are other blood tests and stool tests, which I suggest you consider as well, but they are not the gold standard and are not very helpful in establishing the diagnosis.

You can take a capsule of Tranxamic Acid 500 mg three times daily till bleeding resolves. You can also do investigations like CBC (complete blood count), stool detail report, stool for ova and parasites, and stool for calprotectin.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reach out in case of further queries.

Thank you.