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Everything you need to know about hemorrhoids, all in one place
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Getting the facts about hemorrhoids doesn’t have to be labor.
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Getting the facts about hemorrhoids doesn’t have to be painful
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Getting the facts about hemorrhoids doesn’t have to be embarrassing

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Find Your Solution
Separating hemorrhoid fact from fiction. (Spoiler alert – there’s a lot of fiction.)
How to talk to your doctor about your hemorrhoids. (And why it’s not that simple.)
Everything you ever wanted to know about hemorrhoids… …but were afraid to ask.

Getting Started

Understanding Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are likely more common than you think. In fact, 50% of adults will experience symptomatic hemorrhoids by age 50. While factors like age, physical activity and diet can play a part in causing hemorrhoids, anyone can get them. Hemorrhoids can be very unpleasant, causing discomfort, bleeding, itching and swelling. If you are looking to find out more about the causes, symptoms and treatment options for hemorrhoids, this is a great place to start.

What Are Hemorrhoids?
What Causes Hemorrhoids?
Types of Hemorrhoids
Warning Signs
Hemorrhoid and Pregnancy
Hemorrhoids Resources
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The Truth About Hemorrhoids

Myth or Fact

When it comes to hemorrhoids, there is a lot of information out there. It can be overwhelming, and difficult to tell the facts from fiction. Here are a few common conceptions, and misconceptions, about hemorrhoids

 

  • Myth
  • Facts
Only sedentary people get hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are extremely common, with over half of the population suffering from hemorrhoid symptoms by age 50 and 75% of the population at some point in their lifetime.
Ointment will fix my hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoid creams and suppositories can be a good option to get temporary relief for symptoms such as pain and itching. Unfortunately, they require consistent application over a period of time to see any prolonged relief and while they may temporarily mask symptoms, they cannot shrink the hemorrhoid, stop it from growing larger or make it go away so the underlying issue will persist.
Hemorrhoids can cause cancer
Hemorrhoids do not increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer.
I need surgery to fix my hemorrhoids for good
Thankfully, with the CRH O’Regan System®, there is a painless, non-surgical alternative that can keep all but 1% of patients away from surgery.
Hemorrhoids are something you have to live with
With hemorrhoid treatments like the CRH O’Regan System, it’s easier than ever to get rid of them forever.
Hemorrhoid banding doesn’t work
The CRH O’Regan System is one of the best treatment options for hemorrhoids available. More than 3,000 physicians in the U.S. use the system to provide their patients with relief from the discomfort, itching and embarrassment caused by hemorrhoids.
Anyone can get hemorrhoids
People of all ages can get hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids affect both men and women and the incidence of hemorrhoids increases after age 30.
Pregnancy can cause hemorrhoids
Developing hemorrhoids during pregnancy is common, as the fetus increases pressure on your rectum, and conditions like constipation are more likely.
Non-surgical hemorrhoid treatment is as effective as surgery
In fact, Hemorrhoid Banding is 99% effective with a reccurance rate less than 5% while a closed hemorrhoidectomy is successful 95% of the time with an 11% recurrence rate.
Sitting for too long causes hemorrhoids
Sitting for long periods can place pressure on the veins in the rectum and anus, which can cause hemorrhoids to develop.
Anyone can get hemorrhoids
Fact
People of all ages can get hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids affect both men and women and the incidence of hemorrhoids increases after age 30.
Pregnancy can cause hemorrhoids
Fact
Developing hemorrhoids during pregnancy is common, as the fetus increases pressure on your rectum, and conditions like constipation are more likely.
Only sedentary people get hemorrhoids
Myth
Hemorrhoids are extremely common, with over half of the population suffering from hemorrhoid symptoms by age 50 and 75% of the population at some point in their lifetime.
Ointment will fix my hemorrhoids
Myth
Hemorrhoid creams and suppositories can be a good option to get temporary relief for symptoms such as pain and itching. Unfortunately, they require consistent application over a period of time to see any prolonged relief and while they may temporarily mask symptoms, they cannot shrink the hemorrhoid, stop it from growing larger or make it go away so the underlying issue will persist.
Hemorrhoids can cause cancer
Myth
Hemorrhoids do not increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer.
I need surgery to fix my hemorrhoids for good
Myth
Thankfully, with the CRH O’Regan System®, there is a painless, non-surgical alternative that can keep all but 1% of patients away from surgery.
Hemorrhoids are something you have to live with
Myth
With hemorrhoid treatments like the CRH O’Regan System, it’s easier than ever to get rid of them forever.
Hemorrhoid banding doesn’t work
Myth
The CRH O’Regan System is one of the best treatment options for hemorrhoids available. More than 3,000 physicians in the U.S. use the system to provide their patients with relief from the discomfort, itching and embarrassment caused by hemorrhoids.
Non-surgical hemorrhoid treatment is as effective as surgery
Fact
In fact, Hemorrhoid Banding is 99% effective with a reccurance rate less than 5% while a closed hemorrhoidectomy is successful 95% of the time with an 11% recurrence rate.
Sitting for too long causes hemorrhoids
Fact
Sitting for long periods can place pressure on the veins in the rectum and anus, which can cause hemorrhoids to develop.
doctor talking to a patient about treatmentdoctor talking to a patient about treatment

Talk to Your Doctors

If you are hesitant to bring up your hemorrhoids to your doctor, you’re not alone. However, hemorrhoids are a very common issue, and your doctor can help you find a solution to get rid of your symptoms. We have provided a conversation guide to help get the conversation started at your next doctor’s visit.

Hemorrhoid Symptoms

The symptoms of hemorrhoids can differ depending on whether a person has internal or external hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoid Bleeding
Itching from Hemorrhoids
Rectal Pain from Hemorrhoids
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Hemorrhoid Bleeding

If you notice a small amount of blood on the toilet paper after a bowel movement or see blood in your stool, this may be a sign of hemorrhoids. This blood will typically be bright red in color. This indicates that the blood hasn’t traveled far outside its normal pathways and is a good indication of piles or anal fissures somewhere in the lower anal cavity.

Bleeding can also be an indication of more serious conditions. For example, excessive amounts of bright red blood in the stool may indicate colitis, diverticulitis or colon cancer. Dark red blood in the stool, known as occult bleeding, may also be an indication of colon cancer. If you’re not sure what’s causing your bleeding, you should check with your doctor to determine whether further screening is appropriate. If you suspect you may have colon cancer, early detection is key to treating it effectively.

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Itching from Hemorrhoids

An itchy feeling in the rectum is one of the most common and irritating hemorrhoid symptoms. Itching or burning from hemorrhoids tends to be the worst just after a bowel movement. Itching can be caused by mucus discharge that comes from prolapsed hemorrhoids. This mucus irritates the skin and can cause even greater irritation when mixed with stool.

It may be tempting to clean the area to provide temporary relief, but adding moisture to the area or using cleansers that alter the pH can sometimes make matters worse. Additionally, you should avoid scratching the location, as this could cause you to break the skin. Broken skin in the rectum puts you at risk of developing an infection.

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Rectal Pain from Hemorrhoids

Pain in the rectum or anus is often the first sign that you may have external hemorrhoids or an associated condition, such as an anal fissure. Piles can cause significant pain when the tissue is inflamed and swollen due to the relatively high number of nerves in the area. You may notice the pain is worse during a bowel movement* since the stool passing through puts pressure on the hemorrhoids.

*If you only experience pain during bowel movements, be sure to investigate possible other causes. These causes may be as minor as anal fissures or as serious as colon cancer.

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