Hemorrhoids Summary Hemorrhoids are swollen, inflamed veins around the anus or lower rectum. They are either inside the anus or under the skin around the anus. They often result from straining to have a bowel movement. Other factors include pregnancy, aging and chronic constipation or diarrhea. Hemorrhoids are very common in both men and women. About half of all people have hemorrhoids by age 50. The most common symptom of hemorrhoids inside the anus is bright red blood covering the stool, on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. Symptoms usually go away within a few days. If you have rectal bleeding you should see a doctor. You need to make sure bleeding is not from a more serious condition such as colorectal or anal cancer. Treatment may include warm baths and a cream or other medicine. If you have large hemorrhoids, you may need surgery and other treatments. NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Find an Expert American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Diagnosis and Tests Anal Itching Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Bleeding in the Digestive Tract National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Flexible Sigmoidoscopy National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Array Anoscopy Hemorrhoid removal — discharge Hemorrhoid surgery Hemorrhoid surgery – slideshow Hemorrhoids Encyclopedia Bloody or tarry stools Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Hemorrhoidectomy National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Hemorrhoids National Institutes of Health Related Issues Fiber: How to Increase the Amount in Your Diet American Academy of Family Physicians Searching Online for ‘Hemorrhoids’? Food and Drug Administration Women Hemorrhoids March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Start Here Hemorrhoids American Academy of Family Physicians Hemorrhoids Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Hemorrhoids National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Hemorrhoids American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Patient Handouts Hemorrhoids National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Treatments and Therapies Horse Chestnut National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Journal Articles Hemorrhoids
