Published on: 3/5/2025
Yellow mucus from your anus without any stool may happen when the lining of your rectum or anus is irritated or inflamed, which can be due to infections or other conditions.
Your body makes mucus in your gut to help protect and keep everything moving smoothly. Sometimes, when the lining around your anus gets irritated or inflamed—a condition called proctitis or anusitis—you may notice yellow mucus even without stool coming out. Infections or mild inflammation can cause extra mucus to be secreted as your body tries to protect the area. Though less common, conditions like colorectal cancer can also cause changes in mucus, so it is important to watch for other warning signs. If you see yellow mucus and experience symptoms like pain, bleeding, or changes in your bowel habits, it might be a sign that something in your gut needs attention. Keeping track of any new or lasting symptoms can help your doctor decide if more tests are needed. If the problem continues, consulting with a healthcare provider is a good idea to check your overall digestive health and figure out the cause.
(References)
Johansson ME, Sjövall H, Hansson GC. The gastrointestinal mucus system in health and disease. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013 Jun;10(6):352-61. doi: 10.1038/nrgastro.2013.35. Epub 2013 Mar 12. PMID: 23478383; PMCID: PMC3758667.
Duan B, Zhao Y, Bai J, et al. Colorectal Cancer: An Overview. In: Morgado-Diaz JA, editor. Gastrointestinal Cancers [Internet]. Brisbane (AU): Exon Publications; 2022 Sep 30. Chapter 1. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK586003/doi: 10.36255/exon-publications-gastrointestinal-cancers-colorectal-cancer
Meseeha M, Attia M. Proctitis and Anusitis. [Updated 2023 Aug 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
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