My 25-year-old son has noticed blood on the toilet paper when he wipes since high school. He had a colonoscopy a few years back due to constipation, which came back normal, but the doctor noticed a hemorrhoid. Recently, he noticed bright red blood in the toilet bowl and larger blotches on the toilet paper. Sometimes he experiences burning and itching when he wipes, but not always. His stool color is normal and there is no diarrhea. Is this something serious?

December 8th, 2024

I am currently on vacation for 5 days and left my metformin at home while I am out of the country. I take metformin and glimepiride. Can I manage with glimepiride alone?

September 8th, 2023

I had sex with an escort today using condoms. Afterward, I washed my penis with water and felt some vaginal fluid on my base and scrotum. Is it possible for this fluid to enter my urethra during washing, and am I at risk for HIV? I also have phimosis.

January 14th, 2024

What does it mean to have a follicular cyst and a haemorrhagic corpus luteal cyst on the same ovary, and how do they affect pain and treatment, especially for someone with endometriosis?

May 26th, 2023

I’m feeling very bloated, with occasional burning and pressure pain in the central lower abdomen. I have a great deal of pressure in the rectum with very little stool coming out. I took Preparation H and it helped some. I feel like having a bowel movement but only pass gas and a little stool. No fever. I feel awful. I’ve been dealing with this off and on for about 3 weeks. I have GERD and take Nexium every day, but have been cutting back because I didn’t notice as much reflux. I also feel pressure in the middle of my chest and feel loaded with gas. I had a colonoscopy a month ago, which showed three polyps but otherwise was okay. I’ve had IBS for many years and a bout with diverticulitis. This doesn’t feel like either of those. I just feel like I need to use the restroom but only pass gas. Constipation has been an issue this year, but I don’t believe I’m constipated. I am a young 65-year-old female taking Avapro 150 mg daily, levothyroxine 88 mg once daily, and Nexium 40 mg daily but have been cutting back to every 3rd day until the last two nights. I had a right hip replaced in October of 2017 and left hip replaced in 2007. No other surgeries. I usually have a bowel movement daily, but it’s been since my last bout of several loose stools about a week ago. I took milk of magnesia about 4 nights ago because of the pressure and straining to go. I feel extremely bloated with occasional stabbing pain in the belly (lower middle). I don’t see how I can be constipated. Not eating much the last few days and felt “cleaned out” a week ago due to taking a laxative, stool softener, and prunes. But I do feel if I could have diarrhea, I might feel better. My gastroenterologist said I have “moderate” diverticuli. I had a few sips of 7Up last night. That’s been it. Mostly drink water and very little alcohol. In fact, none in the last 3 weeks. Today was the first day I’ve had a period of nausea, but no vomiting. What could be causing these symptoms and what should I do?

April 15th, 2023