&lt;p&gt;Rectal discharge refers to any substance, aside from feces, that comes out of your rectum.&amp;nbsp;It usually presents as mucus or pus that you may notice in your underwear or on your stool. You may also feel the urge to have a bowel movement, but only pass mucus or a very small amount of stool.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;css-0&quot;&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a name=&quot;st-is&quot;&gt;&lt;/a&gt;STIs&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Some STIs that affect your rectum or anus can cause discharge. They&amp;rsquo;re usually transmitted through anal sex, but an infection in the genital region can also spread to the anal region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;STIs that can affect your rectum or anus include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/std/chlamydia&quot;&gt;chlamydia&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/gonorrhea&quot;&gt;gonorrhea&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/sexually-transmitted-diseases/anal-herpes&quot;&gt;herpes&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/std/syphilis&quot;&gt;syphilis&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Rectal discharge may be your only symptom. Other symptoms can include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/rectal-pain&quot;&gt;rectal pain&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/symptom/anal-itching&quot;&gt;anal itching&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/why-does-it-hurt-when-i-poop&quot;&gt;painful bowel movements&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/blisters&quot;&gt;blisters&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;or sores around the anus&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;See a doctor if you think you may have an STI. Early diagnosis and treatment can help you avoid complications and reduce your risk of passing it on to others.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div id=&quot;onequarter-of-article&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;css-0&quot;&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a name=&quot;other-infections&quot;&gt;&lt;/a&gt;Other infections&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Infections associated with foodborne illness can cause rectal discharge, often along with nausea and vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Foodborne illness, commonly known as&amp;nbsp;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/food-poisoning&quot;&gt;food poisoning&lt;/a&gt;, are infections that can be caused by many different types of&amp;nbsp;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/bacterial-gastroenteritis&quot;&gt;bacteria&lt;/a&gt;,&amp;nbsp;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/viral-gastroenteritis&quot;&gt;viruses&lt;/a&gt;, and&amp;nbsp;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/parasitic-infections&quot;&gt;parasites&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The most common infections include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/salmonella-enterocolitis&quot;&gt;salmonella&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/norovirus&quot;&gt;norovirus&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/campylobacter-enteritis&quot;&gt;enteric campylobacteriosis&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/shigellosis&quot;&gt;shigellosis&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Some cases of foodborne illness resolve on their own, but others may require antibiotics. In either case, it&amp;rsquo;s important to stay hydrated to replace fluids lost from vomiting or diarrhea.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;css-0&quot;&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a name=&quot;ibs&quot;&gt;&lt;/a&gt;IBS&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p&gt;IBS is a chronic disorder of the large intestine that doesn&amp;rsquo;t have a clear cause. But experts believe that stress, large meals, and certain goods can trigger it.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Common symptoms of IBS include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/abdominal-pain&quot;&gt;abdominal pain&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;and cramping&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/abdominal-bloating&quot;&gt;bloating&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/symptom/flatulence&quot;&gt;flatulence&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/symptom/diarrhea&quot;&gt;diarrhea&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/symptom/constipation&quot;&gt;constipation&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/mucus-in-stool&quot;&gt;mucus in stool&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;See your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms regularly. Symptoms of IBS can often be managed with a combination of&amp;nbsp;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/ibs-home-remedies-that-work&quot;&gt;home remedies&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;and lifestyle changes,&amp;nbsp;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/probiotics-for-ibs&quot;&gt;probiotics&lt;/a&gt;, medication, and mental health therapies.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;css-0&quot;&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;a name=&quot;hemorrhoids&quot;&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hemorrhoids&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/hemorrhoids&quot;&gt;Hemorrhoids&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;are swollen veins in your anus or lower rectum. They&amp;rsquo;re very common, affecting&amp;nbsp;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemorrhoids/symptoms-causes/syc-20360268&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer&quot; aria-label=&quot; (opens in a new tab)&quot;&gt;3 out of 4&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;adults at some point, according to Mayo Clinic.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;They&amp;rsquo;re usually caused by increased pressure from straining during bowel movements and chronic constipation or diarrhea.&amp;nbsp;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy&quot;&gt;Pregnancy&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;and&amp;nbsp;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/obesity&quot;&gt;obesity&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;are risk factors.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Common symptoms of hemorrhoids include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;pain around the anus&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/swollen-anus&quot;&gt;anal swelling&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;or lump&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;severe anal itching&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;rectal discharge&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/symptom/rectal-hemorrhage&quot;&gt;bleeding&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;during bowel movements&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Hemorrhoids can usually be managed with&amp;nbsp;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/home-remedies-for-hemorrhoids&quot;&gt;home remedies&lt;/a&gt;, but it&amp;rsquo;s important to see a doctor if you experience rectal bleeding, especially for the first time. Rectal bleeding is sometimes a sign of a serious underlying condition.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;css-0&quot;&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a name=&quot;abscess-or-fistula&quot;&gt;&lt;/a&gt;Anal abscess or fistula&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p&gt;An&amp;nbsp;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/anorectal-abscess&quot;&gt;anal abscess&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;is an infected sac filled with pus near your anus. It&amp;rsquo;s usually caused by an acute infection in the anal glands.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In some cases, an anal abscess develops into a fistula. An anal fistula is a small channel that connects the infected anal gland to an opening on the skin. Fistulas can also be caused by other medical conditions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Symptoms of an anal abscess include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;rectal discharge or bleeding&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;pain and swelling around your anus&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;constipation&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Treating an abscess involves draining the pus, which can usually be done quickly by your healthcare provider in their office.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Symptoms of a fistula include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;anal pain, often severe&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;pain during bowel movements&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;bleeding&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;foul-smelling discharge from an opening in the skin near the anus&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/symptom/fever&quot;&gt;fever&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;See your doctor if you experience symptoms of a fistula, as these require surgical treatment.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;css-0&quot;&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a name=&quot;ibd&quot;&gt;&lt;/a&gt;IBD&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/inflammatory-bowel-disease&quot;&gt;Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;is the term for a group of conditions that that result in chronic inflammation of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These main types of IBD are&amp;nbsp;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/ulcerative-colitis&quot;&gt;ulcerative colitis&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;and&amp;nbsp;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/crohns-disease&quot;&gt;Crohn&amp;rsquo;s disease&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Crohn&amp;rsquo;s disease can affect any part of your GI tract, from your mouth to your anus, but most often affects the small intestine. Ulcerative colitis affects your large intestine and rectum.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The symptoms of IBD can vary depending on the severity of the inflammation and its location.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Common symptoms include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;abdominal pain and cramping&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;diarrhea, often with pus or mucus&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;blood in your stool&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;reduced appetite and weight loss&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;fever&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;fatigue&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;IBD can lead to complications when not properly managed. Symptoms of IBD can be managed with a combination of&amp;nbsp;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/nutrition-tips-ibd-symptoms&quot;&gt;diet&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;and lifestyle changes. Medical&amp;nbsp;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health-news/new-drug-treatment-for-ibd&quot;&gt;treatment for IBD&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;includes medication and, occasionally, surgery to remove damaged parts of the GI tract.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div id=&quot;threequarter-of-article&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;css-0&quot;&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a name=&quot;rectal-prolapse&quot;&gt;&lt;/a&gt;Rectal prolapse&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/rectal-prolapse&quot;&gt;Rectal prolapse&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;occurs when your rectum falls from its original position, causing it to partially or completely slip through your anus. It&amp;rsquo;s most common in&amp;nbsp;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.fascrs.org/patients/disease-condition/rectal-prolapse-expanded-version&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer&quot; aria-label=&quot; (opens in a new tab)&quot;&gt;women over 50&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;with a history of chronic constipation, but can also occur in younger people.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You may first notice the feeling of a bulge or see a mass of reddish-colored tissue coming from the anus. Symptoms may come and go at first, but worsen over time.&amp;nbsp;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/symptom/fecal-incontinence&quot;&gt;Fecal incontinence&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;is another symptom.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A prolapsed rectum usually requires surgical treatment.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;css-0&quot;&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a name=&quot;anal-cancer&quot;&gt;&lt;/a&gt;Anal cancer&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/anal-cancer&quot;&gt;Anal cancer&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;can cause rectal discharge, but it&amp;rsquo;s generally the least likely cause. According to the&amp;nbsp;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.cancer.org/cancer/anal-cancer/about/what-is-key-statistics.html&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; rel=&quot;noopener noreferrer&quot; aria-label=&quot; (opens in a new tab)&quot;&gt;American Cancer Society&lt;/a&gt;, the lifetime risk of developing anal cancer is only 1 in 500.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Anal cancer causes symptoms similar to those caused by more common conditions, such as hemorrhoids and IBS.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;These symptoms include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;a change in bowel habits&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;thin stools&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;pain or pressure in the anus&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;a lump near the anus&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;rectal bleeding or discharge&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;itching&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The risk of anal cancer is very low, though certain things can increase your risk. These include your age, smoking, and exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;css-0&quot;&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a name=&quot;see-a-doctor&quot;&gt;&lt;/a&gt;When to seek medical help&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p&gt;It&amp;rsquo;s best to follow up with your healthcare provider if you notice any kind of rectal or anal discharge, especially if you&amp;rsquo;ve never experienced it before.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Based on your symptoms and medical history, they may perform a range of tests to narrow down a diagnosis.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;These tests may include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;physical exam&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/digital-rectal-exam&quot;&gt;digital rectal exam&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;blood tests&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/stool-culture&quot;&gt;stool culture&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/sexually-transmitted-diseases/getting-tested&quot;&gt;STI testing&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/anoscopy&quot;&gt;anoscopy&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/sigmoidoscopy&quot;&gt;sigmoidoscopy&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/proctoscopy&quot;&gt;proctoscopy&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/colonoscopy&quot;&gt;colonoscopy&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;content-link css-5r4717&quot; href=&quot;https://www.healthline.com/health/ct-scan-vs-mri&quot;&gt;CT scan or MRI&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;css-0&quot;&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a name=&quot;takeaway&quot;&gt;&lt;/a&gt;The bottom line&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Rectal discharge is usually a symptom of an underlying condition affecting your GI tract or an infection. To avoid any potential complications, it&amp;rsquo;s best to see your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you&amp;rsquo;re not comfortable talking to them about your symptoms, you can always ask for a referral to a specialist who&amp;rsquo;s used to dealing with rectal and anal health concerns.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;

Rectal Discharge - What Causes Rectal Discharge?

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