Can internal hemorrhoids that protrude outside the anus be cured by taking medicine?

Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on February 03, 2025
00:00
00:00

Internal hemorrhoids that prolapse outside the anus cannot be cured by medication alone. This is because when internal hemorrhoids prolapse, it indicates a significant pathological enlargement and downward displacement of the anal cushions, which are structural changes. Merely taking medication will not result in significant improvement; surgery is the primary option at this point. For this condition, surgical options such as PPH (Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids) or TST (Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization) can be employed. Consistent postoperative care and dressing changes can facilitate recovery. Because prolapsed internal hemorrhoids are located at the anal opening, if not treated surgically, they can lead to impaired blood flow, which may cause incarceration leading to edema or thrombosis, and even potentially result in infected necrosis. Therefore, early surgical intervention is required for prolapsed internal hemorrhoids. Additionally, patients should regularly perform anal sphincter exercises, avoid straining excessively during bowel movements, and not spend too much time on the toilet.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
50sec home-news-image

Symptoms of internal hemorrhoids prolapse

Internal hemorrhoids prolapse, generally refers to the hemorrhoidal tissue prolapsing from inside the anus to outside of it, and typically divided into four stages based on the extent of prolapse. First-degree internal hemorrhoids refer to hemorrhoidal tissue that does not prolapse outside the anus. Second-degree internal hemorrhoids refer to hemorrhoidal tissue prolapsing outside the anus but can retract back inside automatically after defecation. Third-degree internal hemorrhoids refer to hemorrhoidal tissue that, after prolapsing outside the anus, requires manual assistance to be pushed back inside. Fourth-degree internal hemorrhoids are when the prolapsed tissue cannot be retracted, not even manually, and this condition can be accompanied by pain in the anus.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
1min 23sec home-news-image

Can internal hemorrhoids be treated with wet compresses?

After prolapse of internal hemorrhoids, moist compresses can be applied, but the therapeutic effect of moist compresses is not significant. The prolapse of internal hemorrhoids mainly occurs when the anal cushion pathologically enlarges and shifts downward, leading to the prolapse. If the prolapsed hemorrhoids cannot be retracted back into the anus, this can lead to incarcerated edema, causing swelling and pain around the anus. If the incarceration lasts too long, it can induce local thrombosis or even necrosis. In such cases, it is recommended to opt for surgical treatment as soon as possible. Common surgical methods include internal hemorrhoid ligation, internal hemorrhoid excision, PPH (Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids), or TST (Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization). After surgery, it is advisable to use anal washes or potassium permanganate solutions for sitz baths, and then apply topical treatments such as hemorrhoid creams, red oil gauze strips, and yellow ointments to promote postoperative recovery. Moreover, patients should develop good bowel habits after surgery to maintain smooth bowel movements, which further aids recovery. (Under the guidance of a doctor for medication use)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
53sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
44sec home-news-image

Why is it difficult to cure internal hemorrhoids bleeding?

Internal hemorrhoids refer to the soft venous masses formed by the dilation and varicosity of the hemorrhoidal venous plexus located beneath the mucosa at the end of the rectum, above the dentate line of the anus. Once these masses have formed, they contain blood vessels which can rupture, leading to bleeding during bowel movements, evident as blood mixed with stool. Once these pathological masses have formed, it is very difficult to completely heal them with medication alone; surgical removal of these venous masses is required to prevent recurrent bleeding. Therefore, if conservative treatment is applied, it only slightly alleviates symptoms. If any triggering factors are present, bleeding may recur.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
30sec home-news-image

What should I do if internal hemorrhoids prolapse and cause pain?

Generally, internal hemorrhoids do not cause pain. However, when internal hemorrhoids prolapse and become trapped outside the anus, leading to swelling, infection, or even necrosis, various degrees of pain can occur, which can be very painful. Therefore, when internal hemorrhoids prolapse and become trapped, surgery is required. Thus, hospitalization for surgery to relieve the trapped hemorrhoids is necessary to definitively cure the condition.