Bleeding from rectum

About a year ago, I started bleeding from my rectum when I used the restroom.  The problem ceased and has only reoccured about 5 times (on seperate occassions) since then.  Recently, this problem has reoccured and when I use the restroom, I bleed from my rectum and there is a lingering pain that is constant.  What could this be?  It is a bright red blood but it is not bleeding badly enough to get on my underwear--I only notice it when I wipe.  I am not wiping harder than usual so I am certain that has nothing to do with this and I have not recently had diarrhea and my stool is not larger than usual.

[Morecambe]

Rectal bleeding is never normal and should always be investigated.  Type in rectal bleeding to google/yahoo to learn more about symptoms/causes/cures etc.  The Medicinenet site is particularly informative.  If your doctor is unable to diagnose that the cause is minor then I suggest you ask for a colonoscopy.

regards
Morecambe