Pain associated with anus

[riteofpassage]

Frequently I've noticed that after passing stools blood has appeared. I didn't give it too much thought until I noticed a flap of skin protruding from the anus. I've been doing some independent research and heard of anal fissures and hemorrhoids but I just want to make sure of what I'm dealing with. My symptoms are bleeding (not a large amount), torn skins around the anus, and bumps around the anus that have only just recently popped up. It's gotten to a point where it seems to be getting worse weekly. It doesn't hurt so much when I go to the bathroom it's just uncomfortable and unnerving to see blood (though blood never drips into the toilet, only when I wipe do I see it). The only thing I can think of that's causing this are overly-large stools that could be tearing the lining. I've never engaged in anal sex and every time I've had sex I've used a condom so I'm ruling out STD's (I hope that's not the case). Please help in diagnosing the problem and what exactly I should do about it (which doctor to see, etc.). Thanks for any help.

[riteofpassage]

Thanks for the all the information. Reasons and explanations are always comforting if a bit frightening to think about. I'm going to see a doctor next week and hopefully he'll be able to break it down for me and show me what my options are, etc. I'm really hoping it's something simple and not something that needs extreme attention for an extended period of time. It does worry me that the bleeding, fissures, and bumps around the anus all came in the same period, one after another. It makes me think one problem is causing all of these symptoms.
I've noticed though that the stools never have blood on them, it's only when I wipe do I see it. I noticed in your post you gave explanations for bloody stools but would that be the same situation even if there is no blood on the stools, only when you wipe? Also, is there anything that explains all of my symptoms? That way I have a good idea of what I'm faced with.
Thanks for everything, and I'll be sure to keep you posted.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Bloody stool means that there's some sort of injury or disorder located somewhere in your digestive tract. The closer the source of bleeding is to the anus, the brighter red the blood will be. This is because the bacteria in your digestive system work to break down the blood as it passes through. So the longer blood stays in your digestive tract, the darker it will become.
If the bloody stool is bright red, then it could be due to hemorrhoids or anal fissures. The causes of bloody stool that is more maroon in color is intestinal polyps, inflammatory bowel disease or diverticulosis (diverticulosis causes significant bleeding).
Other causes of blood in stools are, aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and, polyps (small growths) and cancerous tumors (malignant growths of tissue).
Diagnosis is by ultrasound abdomen. In some cases sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy may be needed.
Pls consult a surgeon to find out the confirmatory diagnosis as treatment will depend on the same.
Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing.