Can my gut issues cause hemorrhoid bleeding?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had a burst hemorrhoid, which caused a lot of blood as I was passing stool. There was also a large blood clot. The bleeding did not stop until after three wipes. I have had gut problems for the past two to three years. I have some lower abdominal pain. I am using over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.

Based on what you describe, a burst haemorrhoid (swollen, enlarged veins that form inside and outside of your anus and rectum) can indeed cause sudden bleeding and even clots, but it usually stops after a short while, as you experienced after wiping. However, large clots, recurrent bleeding, lower abdominal pain, and a history of gut problems for two to three years raise the possibility of other underlying conditions, such as:

Anal fissure (a crack or tear in the lining of your anal canal) or severe haemorrhoid.
Inflammatory bowel diseases (inflammation in your gastrointestinal tract).
Colorectal polyps (small clumps of cells that grow on the lining of the colon or rectum).
Other gastrointestinal issues, such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (a condition that affects the stomach and intestines), or infection.

What I want you to do next is book an appointment with a gastroenterologist or colorectal specialist who may perform a colonoscopy (an examination of the inside of your large intestine (colon) or sigmoidoscopy (a diagnostic test used to check the sigmoid colon), and who may also check your blood for anaemia or inflammation.

In the meantime, continue using haemorrhoidal cream, take a warm sitz bath to soothe irritation, avoid straining, and keep stools soft with plenty of fluids, a high-fiber diet, or stool softeners if necessary.

My final thoughts on this are that because of the recurrent gut issues, lower abdominal pain, and this bleeding episode, you must get formally checked soon.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.