How is internal hemorrhoids bleeding caused?

Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on February 05, 2025
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Internal hemorrhoids bleeding is caused primarily by venous dilation and congestion. Anatomically speaking, hemorrhoids are varicose veins, which means they contain a lot of fresh blood. When straining during defecation, the hemorrhoids rub against the dry stool, causing the mucous membrane of the hemorrhoids to rupture and leading to bleeding symptoms. When the bleeding symptoms are mild, blood can be seen in the stool during defecation, or drops of blood may appear during bowel movements. In severe cases, spraying bleeding may occur. Generally, the bleeding stops after defecation.

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Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
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Do internal hemorrhoids always require surgery?

The prolapse of hemorrhoidal nodules is the main symptom of internal hemorrhoids progressing to the middle and late stages. In the middle stage, the hemorrhoidal nodules prolapse during defecation but can be spontaneously reduced afterwards. In the late stage, internal hemorrhoids require manual reduction or a period of bed rest after defecation, and may even prolapse during normal activities, walking, exhaustion, as well as during coughing, sneezing, or squatting. Some patients cannot manually reduce the prolapsed nodules back into the anus, making them highly susceptible to infection. Due to inflammation, edema, and pain, incarceration occurs, making reduction difficult. Therefore, the prolapse of internal hemorrhoids is a symptom of the middle to late stages of hemorrhoids, and surgery is definitely needed.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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The difference between rectal prolapse and internal hemorrhoids prolapse

Rectal prolapse primarily refers to the prolapse of the rectal mucosa or part of the sigmoid colon mucosa, partially or completely falling out of the anus. Generally, there is a ring-shaped or cylindrical mucosa protrusion outside the anus. Internal hemorrhoid prolapse involves the partial prolapse of the mucosa near the dentate line, typically appearing as small lumps or accompanied by local venous thrombosis and varicose clusters, with rectal prolapse being more severe than internal hemorrhoid prolapse. The treatment of rectal prolapse mainly involves surgery, while early stages of internal hemorrhoid prolapse can be treated with medications. This involves using topical hemorrhoid creams or suppositories to alleviate symptoms. If there are recurrent prolapses or accompanying bleeding during bowel movements, surgical treatment may also be considered. Surgical methods for rectal prolapse primarily involve local mucosal ring excision, whereas surgeries for internal hemorrhoids mainly include hemorrhoid ligation or banding procedures.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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What to do if internal hemorrhoids bleed severely but there is no pain or itching?

If there is severe bleeding from internal hemorrhoids, it is recommended to promptly conduct an anoscopy to determine the exact locations and amount of bleeding. Generally, bleeding from internal hemorrhoids is painless, so it is often underestimated by patients. If the bleeding is heavy or persists for a long time, it is advised that patients undergo surgery as soon as possible to ligate and stop the bleeding, or combine this with oral hemostatic drugs for symptomatic treatment to avoid exacerbation of the bleeding and resulting anemia. Repeated bleeding from internal hemorrhoids can likely lead to varying degrees of anemia. If repeated bleeding occurs, or if the anemia worsens and leads to severe anemia, further treatment with blood transfusions may be necessary to correct the anemia.

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Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
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What should I do about internal hemorrhoids?

In clinical practice, the treatment of internal hemorrhoids mainly depends on the symptoms presented by the patient, and an appropriate treatment method is selected accordingly. For example, patients with early-stage internal hemorrhoids who experience intermittent rectal bleeding are usually advised to use hemorrhoid suppositories or ointments after defecation. However, as the condition of internal hemorrhoids worsens, which might include prolapse or even symptoms of anemia, surgical treatment is often recommended. Clinically, surgery for internal hemorrhoids can involve sclerotherapy injections, hemorrhoidal banding, or other surgical methods such as PPH (Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids) or TST (Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization). Post-surgery, dressing changes are necessary, and products such as rectal cleansing solutions, oil gauze strips, or ointments are commonly used. Moreover, it is crucial for patients to maintain smooth bowel movements post-surgery to avoid wound infection, bleeding, or edema, and they should adhere to a light diet avoiding spicy, stimulating, and dry foods. (Please follow medical advice regarding medication use.)

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Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
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Is a severe internal hemorrhoid prolapse?

Internal hemorrhoids mainly refer to soft venous masses that occur above the dentate line, formed by congestion, dilation, and varicosity of the superior rectal venous plexus. The primary symptoms are rectal bleeding and prolapse of the lump outside the anus. Prolapse of internal hemorrhoids is one of the indications for surgery, meaning that if there is rectal bleeding or prolapse outside the anus at the dentate line, surgical treatment is required. Thus, internal hemorrhoids are considered severe if there is a prolapse, necessitating surgical treatment.