Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: HellyBelly on April 08, 2025, 05:16:13 AM
-
I'm about 3 years into my peri and one thing I have noticed is that occasionally when I pass a hard stool or strain on the toilet there is a streak of bright red/pink blood when I wipe. It's not a massive amount of blood, it's not in the water or stool, and when I wipe a second time there's nothing there. It doesn’t happen every time either, sometimes it can be weeks or months until it happens again. I'm not in any pain and I can't 'feel' anything.
The odd thing is that it often coinsides with when I'm about to start a period. For example I get blood when I wipe, then a few hours later or the next morning I start a period. I've noticed recently that in the lead up to a period I do get a little bit constipated. Unfortunately my periods are all over the place at the minute so it is difficult to predict when it is likely to happen.
I know that piles can be a symptom of peri/menopause and I was wondering if this is just likely to be piles? Has anybody else experienced this? I know everybody will suggest I go to the doctor, but it is nigh on impossible to get an appointment, and I don't want to bother the doctor if it is something that I can deal with myself.
-
It could be piles but they are usually painful. It could also be a small tear that keeps opening up when you're constipated or straining. Either way you need to get it checked out. Don't worry about bothering the doctor that's what they get paid for!!
-
I have an inner pile,which occasionally bleeds BUT if you see blood,you MUST tell your Dr who will arrange a colonoscopy for you,always to be better safe than sorry, it most likely is a pile but please do check it out
-
As regards "has anybody else experienced this?"
Yes, I have, it was a small haemorrhoid.
Yes, a family member has, it was bowel cancer.
Your choice whether you "deal with" it yourself or "bother the doctor".
-
I'm about 3 years into my peri and one thing I have noticed is that occasionally when I pass a hard stool or strain on the toilet there is a streak of bright red/pink blood when I wipe. It's not a massive amount of blood, it's not in the water or stool, and when I wipe a second time there's nothing there. It doesn’t happen every time either, sometimes it can be weeks or months until it happens again. I'm not in any pain and I can't 'feel' anything.
The odd thing is that it often coinsides with when I'm about to start a period. For example I get blood when I wipe, then a few hours later or the next morning I start a period. I've noticed recently that in the lead up to a period I do get a little bit constipated. Unfortunately my periods are all over the place at the minute so it is difficult to predict when it is likely to happen.
I know that piles can be a symptom of peri/menopause and I was wondering if this is just likely to be piles? Has anybody else experienced this? I know everybody will suggest I go to the doctor, but it is nigh on impossible to get an appointment, and I don't want to bother the doctor if it is something that I can deal with myself.
Highly unlikely this is anything to worry about. The fact it only happens with hard stools and is bright red sounds like a small bleed on the outer anus.
No harm in checking with the doctor though, to put your mind at rest. It is very common as you get older, as is piles.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bleeding-from-the-bottom-rectal-bleeding/
-
Bother the doctor. You can’t assume it’s a pile. Yes they are common, but you don’t know for sure.
-
Totally agree,although when it's bright red,it's not USUALLY anything but as I said before,get it checked, bowel cancer is one of the ones that if treated early,it is cureable