Purple Stool: Causes, Symptoms & When to See a Doctor

Your feces would not normally be purple. Purple feces can be caused by:

- Eating a large amount of red or purple food. Foods such as beets, blueberries, and blackberries can cause your feces to appear purple.

- Taking certain medications. Some medications, such as Pepto-Bismol, can cause your feces to appear purple.

- Internal bleeding. Purple feces can also be a sign of internal bleeding in the digestive tract, such as from a bleeding ulcer or colon cancer. If your feces are purple and you are also experiencing abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, you should see a doctor immediately.