Bleeding
Most of the time, hemorrhoidal bleeding is harmless and uneventful and will stop if you apply pressure with a tissue (use a feminine hygiene pad if you are in a hurry). Blood that drips into the toilet and disperses throughout the bowl often looks a lot more serious than it really is. However, the first time you experience bleeding you should go to a doctor to make sure that the blood is not coming from your colon (which could indicate a bigger problem like colon cancer, an infection, or Crohn's disease). Also, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately or call 9-1-1 if necessary:
- Blood that is brown rather than red (indicates blood might be coming from the colon)
- Blood in the stool rather than coming from the area of your anus (also indicates blood might be coming from the colon and might indicate a bacterial infection)
- Bleeding that doesn't stop after 5-10 minutes of pressure
- Bleeding that causes you to feel lightheaded or faint