Feces, Poop & Butt Issues / Question
Published: February 4, 2009
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Hello. I'm a 16 year old girl and I'm extremely worried about my health. I HAD been constipated because my stomach just has all sorts of problems, but for the past month I've been having regular bowel movements. I'm not straining, but it's not loose either. However, when I was straining AND when I wasn't, I would wipe to find barely visible blood. But today after I pooped, I wiped so much blood that I actually thought that my period came early. I know I SHOULD go to a doctor, but I really don't want to. I don't want to take a test where they actually have to check the anus. I'd feel extremely uncomfortable and would definitely not be happy about it. I know doctors do those type of things daily, but I just don't want to be a part of it. I was wondering if there were any other tests doctors could do. Could they just take a blood test and see what's wrong? ANYTHING other than having them check the anus. I know I sound immature and ridiculous, but I just feel really self-conscious when someone sees my body, even if they are a doctor. Thank you for taking time to read this.
Signed: Bleeding When I Wipe, But Self-Conscious To Have Doctor Exam Me
Dear Bleeding When I Wipe, But Self-Conscious To Have Doctor Exam Me,
TeenHealthFX completely sympathizes with how scary and embarrassing it can feel to a person to discuss certain medical issues with doctors or to be examined in the areas of the body felt to be most private. FX thinks this is particularly hard for teens, as adolescence is time where the body is going through so many changes and it is easy to be nervous, uncomfortable, or self-conscious about physical appearance.
However, bleeding from the rectal area can be the symptom of a serious medical concern, such as an anal fissure, ulcerative colitis, Chrohn’s disease, a result of aspirin use, an allergic reaction, or the result of an injury to the area. With all the possibilities, you do need to be evaluated by a medical health professional to get an accurate assessment of what is going on and to get any treatment that is necessary.
FX thinks that rather than trying to focus on a way to get out of it, that it would be more helpful for you to focus on a way to get through it. You can do this through the following:
- Before your examination, ask your doctor exactly what will occur during your appointment so you can feel prepared for what will go on.
- Many doctors will automatically do this with children and teens, but if you doctor doesn’t, and you would feel more comfortable, request that you mother be in the room with you during your examination. If the doctor needs to do a physical exam, your mother doesn’t have to watch the exam – but could stand by your head and talk to you to distract you or hold your hand to comfort you.
- Remind yourself that doctors do these kinds of exams all the time – it’s nothing new or uncomfortable for them.
- If you have any kind of medical problem that requires treatment, remind yourself that the embarrassment will pass with time – but the medical issue will not go away on it’s own and may only get worse.
- Keep in mind that many exams or procedures people go through are not pleasant and may involve some discomfort. Mammograms and GYN exams for women, prostate exams for men, colonoscopies – none of these procedures feels particularly good in any way, but you have to focus on it being worth it to tolerate the discomfort if it means being physically well and being able to avoid even worse situations in the future if a problem goes unchecked and untreated.
If you don't have a doctor and live in northern
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Statistics show that giving a teen a credit card does not teach them to be financially responsible or to encourage self-restraint, but actually promotes a “spend now and deal with the consequences later” mindset.
