If you’ve ever had hemorrhoids, you know how uncomfortable, embarrassing or painful they can be. Hemorrhoids are very common in both men and women and, according to the Mayo Clinic, will affect almost three out of four adults in their lifetime. Many different factors can contribute to hemorrhoids forming, such as straining during bowel movements or not eating enough fiber.
Hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins, may develop internally. Internal hemorrhoids grow inside the lower rectum and can cause bleeding, itching, swelling soiling and other bothersome symptoms. Prolapsed internal hemorrhoids push through the anal opening and may cause pain or irritation.
Hemorrhoids can also grow externally. External hemorrhoids form under the skin around the anus, causing pain, itching and bleeding. It’s possible to have internal and external hemorrhoids at the same time.
If you’ve tried home remedies or over-the-counter (OTC) creams and have found no relief, hemorrhoid banding treatment might help. Unlike OTC remedies, which only work temporarily, hemorrhoid banding offers a long-term solution. Hemorrhoid banding, also called hemorrhoid ligation, is a non-surgical, painless procedure that a doctor can perform in their office. It’s a straightforward treatment method that involves placing a rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid. The rubber band prevents blood flow to the hemorrhoid and causes it to wither and eventually fall off on its own.
In general, the success rate of hemorrhoid banding falls between 70% and 97%, but this depends on the technique used and the hemorrhoid grade. The CRH O’Regan System is a hemorrhoid banding method that’s proven to be 99% effective. This technique is on par with hemorrhoid surgery but features a much lower complication rate.
If you’ve tried treating your hemorrhoids at home but have had no success, you may be considering hemorrhoid banding treatment, and you probably have some questions. In this guide, we hope to address your concerns and paint a clearer picture of this minimally invasive hemorrhoid treatment. We’ll answer questions such as:
If you would like to speak to a doctor now about hemorrhoid banding, use our directory to find a CRH O’Regan Physician near you.