You’ve found your way here, to this blog post, meaning that you’ve finally made the choice to get surgical treatment for your hemorrhoids but are curious about hemorrhoid treatment complications. Below we’ve outlined several of the hemorrhoid treatment complications, along with a little information on what can be done to treat each if you end up having each post-hemorrhoid treatment.
The intent isn’t to worry you—quite the opposite. You should know that most hemorrhoid treatment options are painless and unobtrusive and rarely leave patients with anything to worry about post-treatment. However, in certain cases, complications may arise after treating your hemorrhoids, so we’d like you to be informed so you’ll know what to do if you do experience any of these conditions
Constipation—From time to time, post-hemorrhoid treatment, patients sometimes experience constipation. After hemorrhoid surgery, or after other procedures which are painful, pain medication is often prescribed. This medication often causes patients to become constipated, which can add to the patient’s pain after surgery. In these circumstances, additional fiber, stool softeners, or laxatives are often suggested to relieve this constipation.
Urinary retention—After a hemorrhoid treatment like surgery, patients may experience symptoms of urinary retention. The anesthesia given or the surgical procedure itself can lead to problems with urination. If your doctor prescribes, a warm tub bath or heating pad may be helpful, or in the most severe cases, a small catheter must be placed in order to empty the bladder.
Itching—One of the most common symptoms of hemorrhoids is also a common complication from the treatment of hemorrhoids. Anal itching is fairly common and is caused by skin being irritated due to the hemorrhoid treatment. Itching will usually subside after a few days, but if not you may be instructed to apply a small amount of a cream or ointment on the area to help relieve these issues.
Bleeding—Another complication from surgical hemorrhoid treatment is occasional bleeding from the rectum. Blood loss from the sutured area during hemorrhoid removal is somewhat common, but usually will stop after a couple of days. If the problem persists or bleeding is severe, seek medical attention.
Infection—In some cases, patients may experience an infection in the tissue affected by hemorrhoid treatment. Given the prevalence of bacteria and microorganisms in feces, an infection in the treated area can occur. If you believe the area treated for hemorrhoids is infected, seek medical attention.