bloody stool

im a 20 year old female. Yesterday, I noticed that there was blood in my bowel movement. It was bright red and not mixed in with stool, but rather jusst floating around on the water, but there was no blood on the toilet paper. I started my period almost immediatly after this bowel movement. I have a slight family history of stomach pain, but nothing serious (my mother and my aunt both have very sensitive stomachs). I'm a college student and have been under stress, and have started to have awful stomach aches, but they have recently gone away. I did not have a stomach ache the day I had the bloddy stool. Today, I am somewhat constipated and my rectal area seems kind of sore. I'm very nervous that there is something seriously wrong, but I can't make it to a doctor for another 2 weeks. Any ideas of what I should expect at my doctor? Is this more likely an anal fissure/hemeroid or something more serious? (my diet is moderate, not GREAT, but i eat ok. I also have epstein barr virus and frequent migraine headaches.)

Thank you for answering my question. I need to know what the possibilities are. Thank you.

[heidi]

bright red is not a major concern especially since you mention constipation.  Also your period is not a factor.  Eat more fiber and drink more liquid for a few days that should clear that up.  Sometime hemroids are not on the outside of the rectom, they can be internal as well and when constipation strikes it can break blood vessels just inside the anus.  Watch for black stools as these are a bad sign and must be reported immediately to your Dr.  If the pain persists it never hurts to call a nurse at your doctors office and ask.

[Doug]

You really have nothing to worry about.  Red blood after bowel movement in someone your age is almost always hemeroids or fissure. Constipation or hard stools can agrivate the situation.  If you are concerned about colon cancer, don't be.  The colon cancer rates for 20 year old female is about 1 per 750,000.  And that 1 would have a history of cancer or IBD etc.  Relax and eat more fiber, drink lots of clean water.  That's it.

[stevie wonder]

I have never been very regular in terms of bowel movements which has led me to have occasional hemeroid problems.  The most recent problem began in the normal manner; it was my first bowel movement in a few days that caused a small amount of bleeding and discomfort.  This has lasted longer than normal (about two weeks) and I have not been feeling well and reminds me of the feeling I have had whenever I have had a prostrate infection.  I also feel as though my legs and feet are going to sleep like there is pressure on a nerve.  This loss of feeling comes at various times of the day and seems to have no pattern. I am 37 years old and had my first prostrate infection at 20yrs.  I am wondering if the hemeriods can irritate a prostrate condition and also result in a loss of feeling in my legs.