Embarrassing question, lots of blood...

I've been to embarrassed to go to my doc about this, but... about 8 months ago, I started noticing a little blood after I went to the bathroom. Not a lot, so I didn't worry. It stopped for a while. Then about 4 months ago, I had a period of 2 weeks where my stool was completely black, like charcoal. I was too embarrassed to say anything. Right before that happened, I had to have a blood transfusion because my blood levels were so low. The doc urged me to get checked up, but again, I didn't.
Now the bleeding has started again, but en masse. Sometimes there is so much dark red blood that I cannot even see the bottom of the toilet bowl. It's got to the point that when I wipe, there are large clots of blood.
I'm a 21yr old female. I, for whatever reason, have not had a period in 7 months or so.

Should I just ignore it? Can I? I really don't know how I could bring it up with my doc. I'm really...shy...about such stuff. But there's just SO much blood now, it freaks me out. It doesn't hurt, but it is a bit scary.

[draven8]

Have you been to a gastroenterologist?  Sounds like you have some sort of irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn's disease.  Crohn's can cause absorbtion problems, as well as internal bleeding, so you might not be getting all the nutrients and vitamins you need.  You probably also have hemmorhoids, which will cause bleeding with bowel movements.  The clots you're seeing could be mucous in the stool.  Have you taken iron supplements for your blood levels?  That will cause black stools.  Blood loss will cause anemia, which can lead to absence of your period.
You should find a doctor who specializes in Crohn's/ulcerative colitis/IBS--they'll be expecting you to bring this sort of thing up, so don't feel embarrased.  Perhaps finding a female doctor would make you feel more comfortable?  I'm a girl, and I have Crohn's disease, so I can definitely understand your hesitancy, but you should seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid further complications.

Good Luck!

[starryeyed112]

I'm not so sure it's Crohn's....or hemorrhoids.I don't have diarrhea and it doesn't hurt or itch or anything. And no, I'm not taking iron supplements. I should be, but I'm not.
I take vitamins, though. Just not as regularly as I should. The only thing I've ever been shown to be deficient in is b12 and iron. I used to give blood all the time, but for the past year, I've always been anemic. It happened suddenly.

[draven8]

That sounds like how mine started.  It seemed really sudden.  Everything was fine..I gave blood all the time too.  So there could be something developing, but you would probably need a CT scan so a doctor can have a look at your intestines, and just to make sure its not something more serious.  

[mammo]

You need to see a Gastroeneterologist right away for this.  Don't be embarrased about it at all, this is their specialty and they hear these things everyday.  I worked for two GI docs for many years and talking to patients about their bowel movements and such was so common and nobody gave it a second thought.  You will be speaking their language, so relax on this.  Keep in mind that early diagnosis of anything is key to us staying healthy, so don't let fear stop you from seeking help. I wish you all the best and do take care.