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us Health & medical scares black tarry stool • black poop • tarry poop • melena • blood in toilet bowl • blood in stool • rectal bleeding • bright red blood in stool • dark red stool • bloody diarrhea • upper gi bleed concern • lower gi bleed concern • dizzy after seeing blood in stool • on blood thinners and bleeding • pepto bismol black stool • iron supplements black stool • vomiting blood with black stool • coffee grounds vomit • heavy bleeding from rectum • blood on toilet paper

What to do if…
you notice black, tarry stools or blood in the toilet bowl

Short answer

Black, tarry stool or visible blood in the toilet can signal gastrointestinal bleeding and should be assessed the same day—often in the Emergency Room. If bleeding is heavy or you feel faint/weak/confused or have severe pain, call 911 now.

Do not do these things

  • Do not ignore black/tarry stool or visible blood because you “feel okay.”
  • Do not drive yourself to the ER if you feel dizzy, weak, short of breath, or confused—call 911 or get someone to drive you.
  • Do not stop prescribed blood thinners/antiplatelet medicines on your own; instead, seek urgent care and tell clinicians what you take.
  • Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen “for pain” unless a clinician has told you to (they can worsen bleeding for some people).
  • Do not use laxatives, enemas, or “detox/cleanse” products to try to clear the bowel.
  • Do not keep repeatedly checking/wiping to “measure it” if it’s irritating or painful—get assessed instead.

What to do now

  1. Check for emergency warning signs (if any apply, act immediately):
    • Large amounts of blood, ongoing bleeding, or clots.
    • You feel faint, severely lightheaded, confused, very weak, short of breath, or have cold/clammy skin.
    • Severe abdominal pain, chest pain, or you’re vomiting blood / vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
    • If yes: Call 911 or go to the Emergency Room right now.
  2. If you have black, tarry stools (melena) or dark red/maroon blood in the toilet bowl:
    Go to the Emergency Room today, even if you don’t have the “911 signs” above. Tell triage staff you have black/tarry stool or blood in the bowl.
  3. If it’s small, bright-red blood only (for example on toilet paper or streaking on the stool) and you feel otherwise well:
    Contact your primary care clinician for prompt advice (same day if possible). Use urgent care only if you can’t reach your clinician and symptoms are not escalating; go to the ER if anything worsens.
  4. If you take anticoagulants/antiplatelets or have liver disease/bleeding problems:
    Treat this as more urgent. Go to the ER or contact your clinician’s urgent line immediately—tell them the exact medication and last dose (for example: warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, clopidogrel, aspirin).
  5. Write down the details before you’re seen (helps triage fast):
    • When it started; how many episodes; black/tarry vs bright red vs dark red.
    • Any dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, fever, or abdominal pain.
    • Recent constipation/straining, diarrhea, heavy alcohol intake, known ulcers, recent illness.
    • Recent meds/supplements: NSAIDs (ibuprofen/naproxen), steroids, iron, bismuth (such as Pepto-Bismol).
    • If safe, take a photo of the stool/toilet water to show the clinician.
  6. Quick “look-alike” check (don’t use this to dismiss symptoms):
    • Iron supplements, bismuth products, and some foods can darken stool.
      Even so, new black/tarry stool or visible blood still warrants medical advice and often urgent evaluation.
  7. While waiting for care/transport:
    Rest, avoid alcohol, and have someone stay with you if you feel weak. If you worsen (more bleeding, faintness, severe pain), switch to 911/ER.

What can wait

  • You do not need to determine the cause on your own.
  • You do not need to start restrictive diets, “gut cleanses,” or supplements today.
  • You do not need to decide about colonoscopy/endoscopy right now—first get assessed and stabilized if needed.
  • You can save longer-term prevention questions until after you’ve been evaluated.

Important reassurance

This is a common reason people seek urgent care, and clinicians have clear pathways to evaluate it. Acting quickly is the safest move—and it doesn’t mean the cause is automatically serious.

Scope note

This covers immediate first steps only. Testing and treatment depend on your symptoms, exam, and basic labs, and may involve referral to gastroenterology.

Important note

This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. If bleeding is heavy, continuous, or you feel faint/weak/confused or have severe pain, call 911 or seek emergency care.

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