Discharge from the Anus
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Yellow discharge from anus
Yellow mucus from anus without stool
Anal discharge
Mucus discharge from anus
White chalky discharge from anus
Anal leakage
Slimy discharge
Clear jelly discharge from anus
Rectal discharge
Watery discharge from anus
Yellow liquid from anus
About the Symptom
Purulent discharge from the anal region is yellow or yellow-white pus from the anus. It is usually the result of an anal abscess which is a painful condition in which a collection of pus develops near the anus. It occurs due to infection of the small anal glands.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Pus from around the anus or anus itself
Possible Causes
Generally, Discharge from the anus can be related to:
- Anal Fistula
This condition involves a tunnel forming between the anus and the surrounding skin. Patients are at risk for recurrent infections, often connected to inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease.
- Crohn's Disease
It is an inflammatory condition of the gut. It is part of a group of diseases known as inflammatory bowel disease or IBD. It can affect anywhere from the mouth to the anus (end of the bowel).The exact cause is not well known.
- Anal Cancer
This is a malignant tumor (cancer) of the anus. The anus is where the stool leaves the body.
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Perianal Cyst
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Discharge from the anus may be related to these serious diseases:
- Perianal Abscess
A buildup of pus near the anus, more common in patients with diabetes, obesity, or certain conditions causing gut ulcers.
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you have pus around or in the anus?
- Have you experienced pus from the anus before?
- How long have you had pus from the anus?
- How has the pus from the anus changed since it started?
Reviewed By:
Carlos Cuenca, MD (General Surgery)
Dr. Cuenca graduated from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He is currently a categorical surgical resident at UC Davis Health.
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Jan 29, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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- Purulent discharge from the anal region
- Pus from around the anus or anus itself
- Purulent discharge from the anus
- Rectal discharge of pus
- Anal discharge of pus
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FAQs
Q.
Why am I having yellow mucus discharge from anus without stool?
A.
Yellow mucus discharge from your anus without stool can happen when the lining of your rectum or anus is irritated or inflamed and may need further evaluation by a healthcare provider.
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
Q.
Why am I having clear discharge from anus?
A.
Clear discharge from your anus may be caused by mild irritation or inflammation in your rectum or anus, which leads your body to produce extra mucus as a protective response.
References:
Safar B, Sands D. Perianal Crohn's disease. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2007 Nov;20(4):282-93. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-991027. PMID: 20011424; PMCID: PMC2780223.
Johansson ME. Mucus layers in inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2014 Nov;20(11):2124-31. doi: 10.1097/MIB.0000000000000117. PMID: 25025717.
Meseeha M, Attia M. Proctitis and Anusitis. [Updated 2023 Aug 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Q.
What does pancreatic cancer poop smell like?
A.
In pancreatic cancer, changes in digestion can lead to stool that smells unusually foul or strong.
References:
Sobocki BK, Kaźmierczak-Siedlecka K, Folwarski M, Hawryłkowicz V, Makarewicz W, Stachowska E. Pancreatic Cancer and Gut Microbiome-Related Aspects: A Comprehensive Review and Dietary Recommendations. Nutrients. 2021 Dec 10;13(12):4425. doi: 10.3390/nu13124425. PMID: 34959977; PMCID: PMC8709322.
Attebury H, Daley D. The Gut Microbiome and Pancreatic Cancer Development and Treatment. Cancer J. 2023 Mar-Apr 01;29(2):49-56. doi: 10.1097/PPO.0000000000000647. PMID: 36957973; PMCID: PMC10042586.
Q.
Why am I having jelly like mucus discharge from anus?
A.
Jelly-like mucus discharge from your anus can occur when your intestines are irritated or inflamed, sometimes due to an infection or conditions affecting the rectum.
References:
Espinosa-Cantellano M, Martínez-Palomo A. Pathogenesis of intestinal amebiasis: from molecules to disease. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2000 Apr;13(2):318-31. doi: 10.1128/CMR.13.2.318. PMID: 10756002; PMCID: PMC100155.
Bordeianou L, Hicks CW, Kaiser AM, Alavi K, Sudan R, Wise PE. Rectal prolapse: an overview of clinical features, diagnosis, and patient-specific management strategies. J Gastrointest Surg. 2014 May;18(5):1059-69. doi: 10.1007/s11605-013-2427-7. Epub 2013 Dec 19. PMID: 24352613.
Hindryckx P, Jairath V, D'Haens G. Acute severe ulcerative colitis: from pathophysiology to clinical management. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016 Nov;13(11):654-664. doi: 10.1038/nrgastro.2016.116. Epub 2016 Sep 1. PMID: 27580687.
Q.
Why am I having watery discharge from anus?
A.
Watery discharge from your anus can happen when your gut is irritated or infected—sometimes by a virus or by changes in the microbes around your anal area.
References:
Holscher HD. Dietary fiber and prebiotics and the gastrointestinal microbiota. Gut Microbes. 2017 Mar 4;8(2):172-184. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2017.1290756. Epub 2017 Feb 6. PMID: 28165863; PMCID: PMC5390821.
Stuempfig ND, Seroy J. Viral Gastroenteritis. [Updated 2023 Jun 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Yang J, Li L, Su W, Zhang S, Xu H, Wang M, Shen W. Microbiomic signatures of anal fistula and putative sources of microbes. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2024 Jan 19;14:1332490. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1332490. PMID: 38312743; PMCID: PMC10834682.
Q.
Why am I having yellow mucus from anus without stool?
A.
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.
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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