Do hemorrhoids bleed?

Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
Updated on January 13, 2025
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Hemorrhoids can progress to a stage where there is rectal bleeding characterized by bright red blood that is separate from the stool. This is caused by the severe tortuosity and dilation of the superior hemorrhoidal veins. As the hemorrhoids worsen, congestion and dilation of the hemorrhoidal venous plexus become more pronounced. In the presence of bowel dysfunction and hard stools, the hemorrhoidal venous plexus can be injured, leading to rupture and bleeding. Initially, the bleeding is typically minimal yet frequent. Over time, this may lead to frequent and substantial bleeding. Chronic bleeding from hemorrhoids can cause chronic blood loss anemia, which impacts the physical and mental health of the individual.

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Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
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How to relieve the pain of hemorrhoids

Most of the time, hemorrhoids do not cause pain. Pain from hemorrhoids is often considered to be due to inflammatory swelling, external hemorrhoid rupture, or thrombosis formation, which leads to pain. If you want to relieve the pain promptly, you can choose sodium diclofenac suppositories for anal insertion, which can have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Later, after defecation, you can use anal washes or potassium permanganate solution for sitz baths, in conjunction with hemorrhoid cream for external application and oral Diosmin tablets to reduce swelling. If the symptoms do not improve significantly after four to five days of medication, it is necessary to go to the hospital’s coloproctology department for hemorrhoid surgery as soon as possible, such as hemorrhoidectomy, external hemorrhoid excision, and TST. Post-surgery, it is important to adhere to dressing changes to promote wound healing, and maintain smooth bowel movements.

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Written by Gao Tian
General Surgery
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What should I do if hemorrhoids bleed?

First, determine the specific cause of the bleeding before treatment. It is recommended to promptly visit a proctology department to complete the relevant examinations, and then decide on future actions. Pay attention to rest and diet, eat less spicy and irritating food, adjust your mindset, and maintain a good mood. If necessary, take oral medication, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, then keep the area clean and dry, and reduce toilet time. Also, regular follow-ups should suffice.

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Written by Jia Rui
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Does hemorrhoids affect natural childbirth?

Women with hemorrhoids during pregnancy can affect childbirth. It is recommended to first treat the hemorrhoids. If the condition of the hemorrhoids is severe, it is also not suitable to treat during pregnancy. In such cases, methods like cesarean section may be adopted for childbirth. Additionally, some topical ointments can be used to locally treat hemorrhoids, which are effective in relieving symptoms such as swelling, pain, and bleeding caused by hemorrhoids. During pregnancy and while suffering from hemorrhoids, spicy foods should be avoided. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor based on specific conditions.)

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Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
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What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids in pregnant women?

After pregnancy, the volume of the female uterus increases, and in late pregnancy, the fetus descends into the pelvis. These factors can compress the veins in the pelvic area, obstructing blood flow around the anus, causing venous blood stagnation around the anus, and making it easy for pregnant women to develop hemorrhoids or for pre-existing hemorrhoids to worsen during pregnancy. The symptoms of hemorrhoids in pregnant women include the following aspects: first, you can feel polyp-like tissue outside the anus with your hand. Second, when hemorrhoids are severe, they can cause the prolapse of hemorrhoidal tissue or be accompanied by anal bleeding. Third, hemorrhoids can sometimes be accompanied by constipation, and hemorrhoids during pregnancy should be treated through diet, exercise, and medication.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Hemorrhoids, are they cancer?

Hemorrhoids are not cancer; they are a benign and common local disease of the anus. The main cause is due to the displacement of the anal cushion or the formation of varicose veins and thrombi in the local mucosal tissue, leading to protrusion, swelling, and even pain and bleeding of the local mucosa. Hemorrhoids are a common proctological disease, with an incidence rate of about 60% among adults, primarily influenced by poor dietary and defecation habits. Therefore, to prevent the onset of hemorrhoids, it is recommended to avoid overly spicy and irritating foods and to keep bowel movements under ten minutes to prevent overly dry stools.