Bleeding can occur with diverticulosis or diverticulitis, which may be intermittent or continuous.

What causes bleeding with diverticular disease?

Diverticular bleeding occurs when the expanding diverticulum erodes into a blood vessel at the base of the diverticulum. The patient may pass red, dark, or maroon-colored blood and clots without any associated abdominal pain. Bleeding may be intermittent or continuous (lasting several days). Patients with active bleeding usually are hospitalized for monitoring. Patients with persistent, severe bleeding require surgical removal of the diverticula.