Blood after sigmoidoscopy

For years, I used to have one bowel movement after having a cup of coffee upon waking. For the past one year, I have bowel movement after waking up, without even having coffee. For the past five months, I have bowel movement in the morning. I feel like I have incomplete evacuation. After a couple of hours, or after lunch, I have another bowel movement. I used to have blood in the toilet paper and on the stools. This tuesday (two days back) I had a flexible sigmoidoscopy (60 cm) and the results were normal, no polyps or any lesions. The next day (wednesday) and today (Friday) I have had blood mixed with the stool. My question is, would sigmoidoscopy cause "blood mixed with stool" even when there is no biopsy or polypectomy involved?

Thanks

[Kevin Pho, MD]

It is possible, but less likely, that the sigmoidoscopy itself can cause the blood in the stool.  If you continue to have an incomplete evalcuation (tenesmus), you may want to consider obtaining a full colonoscopy, which a more comprehensive evaluation of the colon.  Possible causes would include diverticulosis, inflammatory bowel disease, or a polyp/mass that is out of range of the flexible sigmoidoscope.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.