Do Hemorrhoids Go Away? How Long Do They Last?

Hemorrhoids (sometimes called piles) are swollen or dilated veins that form in the rectum or anus. External hemorrhoids develop under the skin of the anus, while internal hemorrhoids form deep in the lining of the rectum and anus. 

By age 50, more than half of men and women will have hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are not life-threatening and are usually the leading cause of rectal bleeding. Symptoms may include itching, pain, and swelling. Some people with hemorrhoids are asymptomatic.

This article will examine the symptoms and causes of hemorrhoids, how long they last, and treatment options if the symptoms don’t go away on their own.

What Are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins under the skin of the anus or in the rectum lining. Causes include pressure from pregnancy, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, or straining during bowel movements.

External hemorrhoids form under the skin near the anus and can be itchy and painful. If a blood clot develops inside an external hemorrhoid (thrombosis), it can cause acute pain. This may result in a small, deep purple bump around the anus. After the clot dissolves, the skin may itch or feel irritated.

Internal hemorrhoids are located in the lining of the lower rectum and anus. They are usually painless but may bleed, with bright red blood appearing on toilet paper, in the toilet bowl, or on stool. If internal hemorrhoids prolapse (extend outside the anus), they can cause severe pain.

Symptoms

Although some people with hemorrhoids may not have symptoms, about 5% will experience them. 

External hemorrhoids may cause pain and itching. Symptoms of internal hemorrhoids may include rectal bleeding, itching, soreness or pain in the rectal area, or the feeling of tissue protruding during a bowel movement.

For prolapsed internal hemorrhoids, symptoms may include pain, itchiness, and a burning sensation.

Causes

Hemorrhoids form around the anus when there’s too much pressure on the veins. Common causes may include:

• A low-fiber diet
• Pregnancy and aging (weakening of supporting tissue in the anus and rectum)
• Chronic constipation or diarrhea
• Straining during a bowel movement
• Sitting on the toilet bowl for long periods
• Lifting heavy objects often

How Long They Last

How long hemorrhoid symptoms last depends on the individual. The reduced pressure on the veins in the anus and rectum will clear up for pregnant people soon after the baby is born. Dietary changes and lifestyle habits (losing weight and exercising) can also help clear up symptoms associated with small hemorrhoids within a short period.

Be aware, though, that hemorrhoids (flares) may recur if you reduce your fiber and liquid intakes, become sedentary, gain excessive weight, and develop chronic constipation or diarrhea.

Treatment

There are several treatment options for external and internal hemorrhoids, ranging from home remedies to medications.

Home Remedies

If you have hemorrhoid discomfort, several home remedies may help. In addition to eating more fiber-rich foods and drinking more fluids to ease bowel movements, other home remedies include: 

• Take a fiber supplement or a stool softener so that you don’t need to strain during a bowel movement.
• Do not spend long periods sitting on the toilet.
• Try over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers or hemorrhoid medication to reduce swelling, itching, or pain. However, note that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin) can sometimes worsen hemorrhoid bleeding due to their anticoagulant effects and may decrease the rate of healing during a flare, although they can help with pain.
• Take a warm bath or a sitz bath (sitting in a shallow tub of warm water) several times to help relieve pain.

Medication

Medication for hemorrhoids includes creams, anesthetics, and steroids to alleviate pain, itchiness, and swelling temporarily. Additionally, venotonic therapies, which promote drainage in a vein, such as oral flavonoid medication, may help with any bleeding. These medications have anti-inflammatory effects, increase vascular tone, help with lymphatic drainage, and provide other benefits to relieve common hemorrhoid symptoms.

What to Do If Hemorrhoid Symptoms Won’t Go Away

If you don’t have any relief of your symptoms after a week of treating your hemorrhoids with home remedies or OTC medication, or the bleeding doesn’t stop, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider. If you are over age 40 and have rectacl bleeding, you should get a colonoscopy to rule out colon cancer.

To confirm you have hemorrhoids, your healthcare provider will discuss your medical history and conduct a physical examination around the area of your anus to diagnose if you have external hemorrhoids. They may also perform a digital exam or an anoscopy (using a scoping devide to examine the anal canal and rectum) to determine if you have internal hemorrhoids.

Your healthcare provider may recommend other forms of medicinal therapies or surgery that cut the blood supply to the vein to shrink the hemorrhoids.

Rectal bleeding is a common symptom of hemorrhoids, but other conditions can cause bleeding, as well. These include: