There is no set duration for hemorrhoids. Small hemorrhoids may clear up without any treatment within a few days.
Can Hemorrhoids Go Away and How Long Do They Last?
Hemorrhoids or piles are inflamed or swollen veins in your lower rectum and anus. Hemorrhoids are usually the outcome of putting too much strain during bowel movements. Increased pressure on these veins may be the reason why you’ve developed hemorrhoids during pregnancy. You may have internal hemorrhoids or you may have external hemorrhoids. Many people try different things to limit the discomfort they experience with hemorrhoids, while others wait for it to go away. This leaves people with a question,”Will hemorrhoids heal on its own?” Keep reading to find answer to this question.
Do Hemorrhoids Go Away on Their Own?
Unfortunately, hemorrhoids won’t go away without using any treatment options. So many factors will aggravate the condition, and some of them are straining during bowel movement, sitting for long periods, constipation, frequent diarrhea, overuse of laxatives, poor diet, pregnancy, heredity factors and infection of the rectum.
There are two basic types of hemorrhoids:
- External hemorrhoids: Found just under the skin of your anus, these can be felt during examination. They cause serious itching, pain and sometimes bleeding.
- Internal hemorrhoids: Found inside the anus, your doctor cannot see it during a physical examination. These hemorrhoids will eventually push through your anus and turn into external hemorrhoids.
“How long do hemorrhoids last?” There is no single answer to this question though. Most people feel better after a couple of weeks of flare-ups, but that’s not the same for all. They may last until you go for surgery. Pain, itching and tenderness may persist because there is always pressure on rectal veins during bowel movements. Different factors may contribute to healing though.
- Small internal or external hemorrhoids may heal within a week or so, but enlarged internal hemorrhoids may take at least a couple of months to improve.
- Your hemorrhoids may heal faster if you’ve experienced them for the first time. However, it will take longer for recurrent hemorrhoids to heal.
- You may have to wait until your pregnancy is over if your hemorrhoids have hit you after becoming pregnant.
How to Treat Hemorrhoids
Now you know the answer to “Do hemorrhoids go away on their own?” You may be looking for how to treat the condition. Here’s what you can do about it.
Home Remedies
- Try to sit in a tub with a few inches of warm water at least thrice a day for 20 minutes each to reduce the inflammation. Be sure to dry the anal area afterwards.
- Be sure to drink plenty of water and add more fiber to your diet. This will prevent constipation that always aggravates your hemorrhoids. By avoiding constipation, you will be able to reduce pressure on your rectum, which in turn will reduce further discomfort, swelling and bleeding.
- You may use stool softeners to prevent flare-ups, but once you have hemorrhoids, even liquid stools may lead to infection and inflammation of the anus.
- Don’t sit for extended hours or try to sit on a rubber or air donut. Be sure to stay active and exercise regularly to relieve constipation and improve your blood circulation. Be sure to have a bowel movement as soon as you have the urge. Delaying it will put strain on the hemorrhoidal veins and may even cause constipation.
- Try OTC ointments, creams and suppositories for pain relief. Remember, they won’t cure hemorrhoids but they will numb the area, thus decreasing swelling and inflammation.
Medical Procedures for Hemorrhoids
If you find out the answer to “Do hemorrhoids go away on their own?” is negative in your case, then medical procedures may help you a lot. There are a number of medical options available for you to treat your hemorrhoids.
1. Medication
Using OTC creams and ointments usually helps, but severe hemorrhoids need specific creams that contain ingredients like hydrocortisone and witch hazel. Avoid using OTC creams for more than a week though, or they may lead to certain side effects, including inflammation, skin rash and skin thinning.
2. Minimally Invasive Procedures
Sometimes, a blood clot forms inside the external hemorrhoids. A simple incision is usually required to remove it. Your doctor may opt for another minimally invasive procedure for painful hemorrhoids.
- Rubber band ligation involves placing a couple of tiny rubber bands around the base of your internal hemorrhoids. This will cut off blood supply and your hemorrhoid will wither within a week.
- Sclerotherapy involves taking an injection into the hemorrhoid tissue. It contains a chemical solution that makes your hemorrhoid tissue to shrink.
- Coagulation involves using infrared or laser light to help your internal hemorrhoids to harden and shrivel.
3. Surgical procedures
In some cases, there remains no other choice but to go for a surgical procedure. You may have to stay in the hospital for a day after your surgery. Here are some surgery options for you:
- A hemorrhoidectomy is an effective surgical procedure used to remove excessive tissue that may be causing bleeding. Your doctor may perform the surgery with a local anesthetic combined with sedation or only use a general anesthetic. It is an effective way to treat recurring hemorrhoids, but some complications may arise, which include urinary tract infections and temporary difficulty in emptying your bladder. Soaking in a warm bath after your surgery may help relieve discomfort.
- Hemorrhoid stapling is another common procedure used to block blood flow to your hemorrhoidal tissue. It is a less painful procedure as compared to hemorrhoidectomy. However, with stapling, there will always be chances of rectal prolapse, a condition in which part of your rectum may protrude from your anus.
How long do hemorrhoids last?
In some people, hemorrhoids clear up after a few days. In other cases, they may persist, recur, or get bigger. Troublesome hemorrhoids may need medical treatment.
Hemorrhoids come from small clusters of veins in the anus and lower rectum. They develop when the veins become swollen or irritated.
Some people may need medication or medical procedures to minimize their symptoms and shrink the hemorrhoids.
They can cause pain and make simple activities, such as sitting or walking uncomfortable or challenging.
In this article, learn more about how long hemorrhoids last, including during pregnancy and after birth, and how to get relief through treatments and home remedies. We also look at when to consult a doctor and the recovery period.
There is no set duration for hemorrhoids. Small hemorrhoids may clear up without any treatment within a few days.
Large external hemorrhoids may take longer to heal and cause significant pain and discomfort. If hemorrhoids have not resolved within a few days, it is best to see a doctor for treatment.
Risk factors for severe or recurrent hemorrhoids include:
- not getting enough fiber
- living a sedentary lifestyle
- having chronic constipation
- having chronic diarrhea
- straining while having a bowel movement
Some of the above factors can also make it difficult for hemorrhoids to heal, allowing the problem to persist for longer.
During pregnancy
Hemorrhoids are a common problem during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester.
The extra weight that a woman carries during pregnancy may strain the veins in the anus and rectum. As the uterus grows, it also puts pressure on the veins near the rectum.
Hormonal changes may relax the veins in this area, making hemorrhoids more likely.
Hormonal and physical changes can also cause gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation or diarrhea, which increase a person’s risk of hemorrhoids.
After birth
Development of hemorrhoids can also take place 1–2 days after childbirth. Childbirth can increase the risk of hemorrhoids by approximately 8 times.
A 2022 study reported the occurrence of hemorrhoids in 38% of women after the first pregnancy; this increases further after other pregnancies.
Causes of hemorrhoid development after birth include:
- method of delivery, where women with normal and instrumental delivery are at a higher risk of developing hemorrhoids
- prolonged birth
- prolonged pregnancy and second stage of labor
- more than 20 minutes of straining duration
- high weight of newborns
Treatment of hemorrhoids depends on type and severity. Most cases of hemorrhoids heal on their own through simple lifestyle and dietary changes. During this time, a person should rest and avoid doing anything that strains or puts pressure on the area.
Few mild cases of hemorrhoids require medications and nonsurgical interventions. However, severe cases require surgery when all other treatment options have been ineffective.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
Medications for hemorrhoids are available to purchase OTC in the form of:
- ointments
- topical creams
- gels
- suppositories
- lotions
- pads
Medicated creams, such as phenylephrine gel (Preparation H), can help relieve itching and discomfort.
There is a selection of hemorrhoid treatments available for purchase online. However, a person should check with their doctor before taking any treatments.
Prescription medications
If OTC treatments have little or no effect, a doctor may be able to prescribe more effective ointments. A few of the commonly prescribed topical medications include:
- Corticosteroids: These can help to reduce inflammation resulting from hemorrhoids. However, long use of corticosteroids can damage the skin.
- Lidocaine: Lidocaine, in combination with tribenoside, acts as a local anesthetic. This combination can help to reduce inflammation as well as help the recovery of local blood vessels.
- Phlebotonic drugs: These drugs can improve the overall symptoms of hemorrhoids and reduce bleeding.
- Zinc oxide: Creams containing zinc oxide can help to reduce anal itching that may result from hemorrhoids.
People who often have hemorrhoids or experience complications, such as blood in the stool, should speak with a doctor. The doctor may recommend alternative treatments or run tests to rule out underlying causes.
Nonsurgical treatments
Nonsurgical treatments include:
- Rubber band ligation: This procedure involves placing a rubber band near the base of the hemorrhoids to cut blood supply. This shrinks the hemorrhoids, and they fall off.
- Infrared photocoagulation: This involves a device that focuses infrared light on the hemorrhoids. The heat from the infrared light blocks blood supply resulting in shrinkage of the hemorrhoids.
- Sclerotherapy: This procedure involves injecting a solution into hemorrhoids that blocks blood supply and causes shrinkage.
- Electrocoagulation: During this procedure, doctors use a device that sends an electric signal to hemorrhoids that cut off blood supply and shrink them.
Surgical treatments
Only a few people with severe hemorrhoids undergo surgery. Doctors recommend surgery only when all other treatments have been unsuccessful. The surgical treatments include hemorrhoidectomy and hemorrhoid stapling.
During a hemorrhoidectomy, a doctor uses an anesthetic to remove external or prolapsed internal hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoid stapling involves a doctor using a stapling tool to remove internal hemorrhoid tissue and pull a prolapsing internal hemorrhoid into the anus. This procedure also requires an anesthetic.
Severe hemorrhoid treatments
People who experience severe hemorrhoids may need more intensive treatment, including medical procedures. These procedures can include:
- Rubber band ligation: This is the most common nonsurgical procedure for removing hemorrhoids. A doctor will place a small, tight band around the hemorrhoids to cut off circulation to the tissue and allow it to fall off.
- Sclerotherapy: During this, a doctor injects a chemical medication into the hemorrhoids to shrink them. Doctors may also use heat, light, or freezing temperatures.
- Surgical removal: Doctors only recommend this in cases where hemorrhoids do not respond to at-home or in-office methods. Surgery is usually successful and prevents the hemorrhoids from coming back.
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