I’m a 21 y/o woman and for about a year (give or take), on and off, my butthole bleeds. Sometimes it’s bloody when I poop, and sometimes it’s just a bit on my toilet paper. Sometimes, like today, it’s heavier and just blood comes out even if I’m not having a bowel movement (like 5 minutes ago I peed and saw blood in the toilet that was definitely not my period and was definitely from my butt).
It’s bright red, so I know it’s LIKELY not a deeper GI issue as I’ve read darker blood is indicative of problems further in the body. I have had two external hemorrhoids before (also within the past year) and I think it could be internal hemorrhoids causing the blood, but I’m not sure. I’d say it happens about once every 3-4 weeks and the blood usually sticks around for a few days at a time and then resolves. I do have a family history of ulcerative colitis, so I am a little nervous about that. I should also add that it’s never as much blood as, for example, a heavy period (I also have those, so that’s my best comparison), but it’s enough that it can definitely tint the toilet water red (sorry for the details).
I also approach this with the understanding that any responses do not equate to diagnostic advice from a doctor, but I am in the U.S. and currently do not have health insurance. I’m a broke college student and am unfortunately unable to afford an appointment at the moment, but I am graduating in a few weeks with hopes of finding a job with benefits that can help with that (very slim hopes given the state of things, but you know).
TYIA for any help!!
Comments
Apply for medicaid!!!
I also have this issue! It’s likely an internal hemorrhoid that ruptures every so often. That’s what my GI doctor had discovered for me. Sometimes there is a lot of blood, sometimes there is a little and it’s exactly like you describe!
Hemorrhoid. But definitely apply for Medicaid.
Google “free nurse hotline [your state]”
There are free hotlines, but most of them are run by a state and might charge you if you aren’t in that state.
Start with that, and please follow their advise.
Also, most counties have free health clinics, but the wait times may be long and the hours limited.
It sounds like it would be worthwhile to at least apply for Medicaid (Medicare is the one for old people). You may or may not get it, but if you don’t try, you definitely won’t get it.
Edit: fucking autocorrect changed hotline to holiness. I saw it, fixed it, and then it changed it back anyway.
As other have said sign up for medicaid. I just did it recently. It literally takes 15 minutes. Now i have bluecross complete.
Also might be an anal fissure.
UC flares usually produce runny/mucusy stools, with blood, and darker. But also varies greatly. Are you doing something dietarily or physically that coincides with the blood? Something that may stoke a hemorrhoid flare? See if the area you’re in, or your school, has any clinics available.
weird question but does it get worse if you drink alcohol cause i noticed mine did cause your bloods thinner.
Look for community clinics that charge on a sliding scale.
Search for Do I qualify for medical assistance in my <state name>,
Also, check for any county medical service programs.
For instance my county has:
> The County Medical Services Program (CMSP) provides essential health care services to indigent adults who are ineligible for benefits under the Medi-Cal Program and whose income is insufficient to pay medical bills while still meeting their basic needs