Blood in stool: what the colour is telling you.

Name: Blood in Stool: Causes, Colour Guide & When to Worry
Creator: Dr. Sushrut Patel
Published: 2026-11-05

Seeing blood in the pan is scary. Most of the time, bright red blood comes from piles or a fissure near the opening. But some bleeding needs a proper look inside, and a few signs mean you shouldn't wait.

Quick answerBright red blood on the paper or in the pan usually comes from piles or an anal fissure. Dark red or black stool, blood mixed into the stool, weight loss, or a change in bowel habit after age 40 need prompt examination, such as proctoscopy or video sigmoidoscopy, to rule out polyps, inflammation or cancer.

મળમાં લોહી? રંગ શું કહે છે અને ક્યારે તરત ડૉક્ટરને બતાવવું.

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Colour guide

What the blood looks like

What you see	Common causes	What to do
Bright red drops or splash, no pain	Piles	ANOcheck™, then care or a visit
Bright red streak with cutting pain	Anal fissure	ANOcheck™ + SIT EASY™ Fissure care
Blood mixed with stool or mucus	Inflammation, polyps, infection	Book an examination
Dark red or maroon	Bleeding higher in the bowel	See a doctor soon
Black, tar-like stool	Bleeding from stomach or upper gut (or iron tablets)	Urgent medical care

Don't wait

Red flags

Heavy bleeding, black stool, dizziness, weight loss, anaemia, a change in bowel habit for more than a few weeks, or age over 40 with new bleeding. These need an examination, not a kit.

Sushrut Hospital offers proctoscopy and video sigmoidoscopy in the OPD.

Take the free ANOcheck™See SIT EASY™ care kits

Don't wait if you notice

See a doctor soon for heavy bleeding, dark or black stool, fever with pain and swelling, weight loss, or a change in bowel habit lasting more than a few weeks, especially after age 40. These need an examination, not a kit. Pregnant patients and anyone with a fistula should always consult the doctor first.

Questions people ask

Blood in stool: common questions

Is a little blood with stool normal?

It's common but not normal. Most often it is piles or a fissure, but any new bleeding should be checked once.

Can piles cause a lot of blood?

Yes, piles can splash the pan. Heavy or repeated bleeding can cause anaemia and needs treatment.

What is video sigmoidoscopy?

A short OPD test where a thin camera looks at the lower bowel to find the source of bleeding.

Does blood in stool mean cancer?

Usually not, but it is one possible cause, especially after 40. That is why examination matters.

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Sushrut Piles Fistula Hospital

Block-D 301-306, 3rd Floor, Pramukh Anand Orbit Mall, Reliance Cross Road, Kudasan, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382421

OPD: 9 AM–12 PM, 5–7 PM · Phone / WhatsApp: +91 81415 57474

Doctors: Dr. Sushrut Patel (Chief Proctologist, laser), Dr. Ekta Patel (Ayurvedic proctologist, Ksharasutra), Dr. Amit Patel (Surgeon).

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