The symptom checker reviewed by doctors

Choose a symptom and answer simple questions using our physician-reviewed
symptom checker to find more information on your health issue.

  • Symptom
  • Assessment
  • Results

Is the affected person an infant (under 1 year) or a child?

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Possible Diagnosis

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Possible Related Symptoms

Do you have pain or discomfort with your bowel movements?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have CONSTIPATION, or developed HEMORRHOIDS or an ANAL FISSURE.

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Do you have blood on, or mucous in, your bowel movements?

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Possible Diagnosis

The blood may be from internal HEMORRHOIDS. Internal HEMORRHOIDS usually don’t cause any discomfort. RECTAL CANCER is another possibility, especially if you’re over 40 years. Other signs of RECTAL CANCER may include changes in the shape of your stools (pencil-like diameter).

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Do you have to strain when you have a bowel movement, and are your stools hard and dry? Do you often feel bloated and have longer periods of time between bowel movements?

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Possible Diagnosis

CONSTIPATION can cause these symptoms.

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Do you have a fever, chills, and intense pain near the anus even when you’re not having a bowel movement?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have a PERIRECTAL ABSCESS, an infected area near the anus.

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Is there itching when you have a bowel movement?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have HEMORRHOIDS.

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Do you have a small reddish mass of tissue sticking out of your anus?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have a RECTAL PROLAPSE. People who have this condition may feel like they can’t completely empty their bowels. They may also pass very small stools or be unable to control their bowel movements.

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Is there occasional bright red blood in your stools, and do you have 1 or more small lumps near the rectum?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have HEMORRHOIDS. If the lump is painful to the touch or throbbing in nature, it may be a THROMBOSED HEMORRHOID.

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Do you have itching around your rectum even when you’re not having a bowel movement?

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Possible Diagnosis

Rectal itching may be a sign of a YEAST INFECTION, ALLERGY to specific products in toilet paper, or PINWORMS (especially if itching is only present in the morning).

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Are your bowel movements gray or whitish?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have a BLOCKAGE in or near your gallbladder, or you may have LIVER DISEASE or an infection like HEPATITIS.

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Do you have problems moving your bowels without a laxative or enema?

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Possible Diagnosis

CONSTIPATION, along with overuse of laxatives can cause dependence on them.

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Self Care

Increase the fiber and water intake in your daily diet. If this does not improve your symptoms, or if the pain is sharp and/or continuous, is associated with blood on the stool or in the toilet bowl, see your doctor. You can also consider over-the-counter hemorrhoid wipes or creams.

Self Care

See your doctor. HEMORRHOIDS are often treated with over-the-counter creams or suppositories. Soaking in warm water may also help relieve any discomfort. Your doctor will likely consider imaging if he/she is concerned about CANCER.

Self Care

Add more fiber to your diet, and drink lots of water. Over-the-counter bulk-forming laxatives may also help relieve constipation. Check the side effect lists on any medicines you are taking to see if they could be causing CONSTIPATION.

Self Care

See your doctor.

Self Care

See your doctor, especially if you notice blood in your stool or in the toilet bowl after bowel movements. You can also consider over-the-counter hemorrhoid wipes or creams.

Self Care

See your doctor.

Self Care

For general HEMORRHOIDS use an over-the-counter hemorrhoidal cream or suppository and soaking the area in warm water may help relieve the pain and itching. If there’s no improvement in 1 to 2 weeks, or if the bleeding continues, see your doctor.

For THROMBOSED HEMORRHOID, if you have acute pain that won’t stop, see your doctor or go to the emergency room.

Self Care

Nonprescription, antifungal medications are for a YEAST INFECTION and antiparasitic medications are for PINWORMS. If you think an allergy is your problem, try using white, unscented toilet paper. See your doctor if your symptoms don’t improve.

Self Care

See your doctor right away.

Self Care

Avoid using laxatives. Instead, try adding more fiber to your diet, and drink lots of water. Keep in mind that it isn’t necessary to have a bowel movement every day. A normal range is 3 times a day to 2 times a week.

For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think your problem is serious, call your doctor right away.

DISCLAIMER

Symptom Checker content is provided for informational purposes only. This tool may leverage certain generative artificial intelligence tools to generate results, but you should not rely on this tool as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health or the information provided when you use this tool, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your healthcare professional because of something you may have read using this tool or on the FamilyDoctor.org website. Use this content solely at your own risk. If you think you may have a medical emergency, dial 911.