rectal discharge

First I don't know what to call this because I have not been diagnosed with anything.
About a week ago when I released some gas, there was some fluid that came out.  Then I noticed what looked like mucus when I went to the bathroom.  It appeared to be cleared up within 24 hours.  Last night when I went to the bathroom I noticed the mucus again.  It's still present today and looks more like pus.  I'm not really having pain or other symptoms.  I did have hemrrhoids for the first time a few weeks ago.  
Today I've had many small bowel movements--no diarrhea.  Maybe because I keep trying to go to the bathroom to see if it's still happening. Each time a little stool comes out, so does about as much mucus or pus. There is no blood present.  I don't practice anal sex.  I'm wondering what could be the cause of such a thing, and could it be serious.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Mucous can be be caused by malabsorption, fecal incontinence, inflammatory bowel disease, or colitis amongst other things.

At this time, some kind of lower endoscopy - either a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy - would be the most reasonable and comprehensive options to evaluate for the conditions mentioned above.  You can also consider tests to evaluate the stool for infection.

This can be discussed with your personal physician or in conjunction with a GI evaluation.

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.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[surgeon]

There are several possibilites, including proctitis (inflammation or infection of the rectum), fistula (a tract between the anus and the skin, usually resulting from an abscess), internal hemorrhoids. Some tumors cause mucus discharge, especially benign (non-cancerous) ones called polyps. The only way to find out for sure is to see your doctor. It's by far most likely to be nothing very serious, but there's no way to be sure without an exam.

[jazza43]

A related discussion, anal discharge was started.

[ranji]

A related discussion, proctitis was started.