Rectal bleeding with mucus

Published 13 March 2026 ·Last reviewed 13 March 2026 by the editorial team ·How we create our content

At a glance

Blood and mucus together in the stool is a pattern that warrants attention. While it can have benign causes, the combination is more suggestive of conditions that benefit from investigation than blood alone.

This guide explains the common causes, what to look for, and when to seek medical assessment.

Why blood and mucus together matters

The bowel naturally produces mucus to lubricate stool as it passes. Small amounts of mucus on the stool or on toilet paper are normal and usually not noticed.

When mucus increases noticeably — particularly when combined with blood — it may indicate inflammation in the bowel lining. Inflammation causes the bowel to produce more mucus and may also cause bleeding from the inflamed tissue.

Common causes

Hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids can produce both mucus and blood. The mucus is typically clear or slightly yellowish, and the blood is bright red. This is usually associated with straining.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease can cause bloody mucus discharge, often with urgency, cramping, and diarrhoea. This pattern typically warrants investigation if it is persistent.

Rectal polyps

Polyps in the rectum can produce mucus and occasional bleeding. Most polyps are benign but some require removal.

Infections

Bowel infections can cause mucus and blood, usually with diarrhoea, cramping, and sometimes fever. These are typically self-limiting but may need treatment.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

IBS can cause increased mucus production, though bleeding is not a typical feature of IBS. If bleeding is present alongside IBS symptoms, further investigation is appropriate.

When to see a clinician

The combination of blood and mucus should prompt assessment if:

  • It is persistent (lasting more than two weeks)
  • It accompanies a change in bowel habits
  • There is urgency or difficulty controlling bowel movements
  • There is abdominal pain or cramping
  • There is weight loss or fatigue
  • You have a family history of bowel disease

What assessment involves

Your GP may:

  • Take a detailed history of your symptoms
  • Perform an examination
  • Arrange stool tests (including a faecal calprotectin test, which measures bowel inflammation)
  • Refer for colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy if investigation is warranted

The practical message

Blood with mucus is a signal that your body is worth listening to. It is often caused by common conditions that are very treatable. The purpose of getting it checked is to identify the cause early and manage it appropriately.

Common questions

Is mucus in the stool normal?

Small amounts of mucus in the stool are normal — the bowel produces mucus to help stool pass. It becomes noteworthy when the amount increases noticeably, when it is mixed with blood, or when it accompanies a change in bowel habits.

What causes blood and mucus together?

Common causes include hemorrhoids (especially internal ones), inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's), rectal polyps, and infections. Less commonly, it can indicate other bowel conditions. The combination usually warrants medical assessment to identify the cause.

When to seek care Heavy bleeding or feeling faint? Get emergency help now. Emergency: 911

Not sure how urgent it is? Get help today.

  1. Emergency

    Heavy bleeding, black tarry stools, feeling faint, severe pain or trouble breathing.

    Call 911 or go to the ER.

  2. Today

    Fever, pain getting worse, a hot swollen lump, or trouble passing urine.

    Call your doctor or go to urgent care.

  3. Soon

    Bleeding or bowel changes nobody has checked, or anything lasting 3 weeks.

    Book a doctor’s appointment.

Feeling overwhelmed? Call or text 988, any time.

See all the signs

For this topic, get medical advice if you notice:

  • Heavy bleeding that will not stop
  • Bleeding with fever, weight loss, or severe pain
  • Dark red or black stool
  • Persistent change in bowel habits alongside bleeding and mucus

Recording how you feel is not the same as being checked. These are the signs that need a doctor’s attention.

Call 911 or go to the emergency room now if you have:

  • bleeding that will not stop, a lot of blood (the toilet water turns red, or you pass large clots), or any bleeding with feeling faint or dizzy
  • fainting, a racing heart or trouble breathing
  • confusion or slurred speech, extreme shivering, no urine in a day, or blotchy skin
  • sudden severe belly pain, or a swollen, hard belly with vomiting or not passing stool or gas
  • you cannot pass urine at all, or your bladder feels full and painful and you can’t empty it
  • redness, swelling or severe pain spreading quickly around your anus, genitals or groin, especially with a fever or feeling very ill
  • a fever with a painful swelling near your anus if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system (for example, from chemotherapy or transplant medicines)
  • black, tarry stools

Call your doctor or go to urgent care today (or the ER if you can’t be seen today) if you have:

  • a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, chills, vomiting, or feeling generally unwell
  • pain that is getting worse over days, or severe pain that stops you sitting or sleeping
  • a hot, swollen or very tender lump near your anus or at the top of the crease between your buttocks, or foul-smelling discharge
  • trouble urinating
  • bleeding that is getting heavier or more frequent, or blood mixed into your stool
  • feeling much more tired than usual, looking pale, or getting out of breath more easily than you used to
  • not passing stool for several days, or new belly pain

Make an appointment with your doctor if:

  • you have never had these symptoms checked by a doctor or nurse — whatever your age
  • you have had rectal bleeding for more than 3 weeks
  • your bowel movements have been looser, thinner or more frequent than usual for 3 weeks or more, or you have lost weight without trying
  • symptoms have not settled after a week or so, or keep coming back
  • you notice a new lump near your anus, between your buttocks or in your belly, or an itch or discharge that does not clear
  • you have new leakage or trouble controlling your bowels
  • you are 45 or over, or have a family history of bowel cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, and any of these symptoms are new for you

If you are unsure, it is always reasonable to ask. If things feel overwhelming, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or chat at 988lifeline.org, any time. If you don’t feel safe, call 911.

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