I am a sixteen year old girl. I have been constipated for most of my life and began noticing bleeding after bowel movements several months ago. Schoolwork and lack of exercise has caused my constipation to worsen considerably over the past year and a half, although I have retained a relatively healthy diet. My constipation became so severe that at some point I would not release for weeks at a time, resulting in bloating and cramps. That is around when the rectal bleeding began, bright red and relatively mild. I let it be for a while, thinking that it was normal considering how constipated I was, but when I began bleeding so heavily that I confused it with my menstrual blood and dark red clumps began to appear I told my mother and we arranged a doctor's appointment. After a physical examination (fingers were involved. *cough*), the doctor told us that my colon was not torn and I probably did not have internal hemorrhoids, but that I should have an x-ray done to check for polyps. This was several months ago and the rectal bleeding continues, worsening when I am constipated and letting up during periods of relatively normal bowel movements. However, after researching, the number of possible afflictions frightened me, especially in the lack of frequency in those my age and how the dark blood clumps suggest something serious than irritable bowel syndrome. What could I possibly have? Thanks so much.