Summarize the following:
Minor rectal bleeding will leave small drops or smears of blood on your toilet paper. If you’re experiencing bleeding from the anus itself, the blood will be bright red in color. Anal bleeding while having a bowel movement may be caused by anal fissures or hemorrhoids. However, it can also be a sign of more serious conditions and should always be checked out by a doctor. If your rectal bleeding is slightly more severe, you may notice a pink, bloody color in the toilet water after a bowel movement. You may also see droplets of blood or thick, bloody clots in the water. At most, you’ll pass 1–2 teaspoons (4.9–9.9 mL) of blood into the toilet water. Rectal bleeding isn’t always as apparent as blood-stained toilet paper. If the blood originated from several inches or centimeters up your rectum, it will have been absorbed into the stool. This can produce a variety of dark, uncommon colored stools. Black, tarry, or bloody stools, called melena, are always a cause for concern. If you notice this type of discoloration, especially over the course of a day or two, see your doctor right away.  Certain foods can also discolor your stools. A single instance of dark or maroon colored stool may not be enough to indicate rectal bleeding. However, if you notice maroon or black stools for 2 or 3 days in a row, you can be reasonably confident that you’re experiencing internal bleeding in your rectum or higher up in your gastrointestinal tract.
Look for blood on your toilet paper. Look for blood in the toilet water. Look for maroon or black colored stool.