Is blood from the rectum a possible symptom of an urinary tract infection? My daughter was diagnosed with UTI with this being her main symptom. To me, it doesn't really make sense.

Theresa

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) typically cause burning with urination, frequent urination and a feeling of a constant urge to urinate even though no urine is in the bladder. Sometimes, there may also be blood in the urine as a result of the inflammation in the bladder due to the infection. To answer your question, bleeding from the rectum is not a symptom of a urinary tract infection. However, it is possible that your daughter has a separate problem involving the rectum that is causing bleeding, and that her urinary tract infection actually stems from that problem. One cause of UTIs is a bacterial infection on the skin near the anus and rectum, which may move from there into the urethra and up into the bladder.

Another less likely scenario involves bacteria crossing over through a fistula (an abnormal opening) between the rectum/colon and bladder. This is seen sometimes seen in patients with inflammatory bowel disorders, such as Crohn's disease. When Crohn's involves the lower (sigmoid) colon or rectum, men may develop fistulas connecting to the bladder, while women usually develop fistulas connecting to the vagina. However, in women, an inflamed segment of bowel higher up in the colon may also form a fistula directly into the bladder. Keep in mind that such fistulas are quite rare, but still should be considered in UTI patients with bleeding from the rectum.

You should ask your daughter's doctor to clear up these questions. Further testing and examination of the rectum should be done if she indeed has rectal bleeding.