1. Blood after having a bowel movement– If you see a small amount of bright red blood either in the toilet or on the paper after wiping, this could mean that you either have hemorrhoids (swollen veins in your bowel) or anal fissure (tear). Both conditions are common and are not life-threatening. The cause is usually hard stools passing through the anus. It can also be painful because the anus is very sensitive. Most people who have small amounts of rectal bleeding once in a while do not have a serious health condition but some may. The only way to know for sure is to see your health care provider and get checked out.

2. Blood in the toilet after peeing– This is different than seeing blood after you have a bowel movement. Blood with or after peeing usually means there is a problem at some point in the urinary system. One of the most common reasons for this might be a urinary tract infection (UTI) or an infection caused from an STI (sexually transmitted infection), but the cause could be more serious (such as a kidney infection); all require medical treatment. Again, the only way to know for sure (and to get the right treatment) is to talk with your health care provider (HCP).