Hemorrhoid Pain: When to See a Doctor

Hemorrhoids are extremely common, affecting about 50% of people by age 50. Here at Bay Area Gastroenterology Associates, LLC, we specialize in advanced hemorrhoid treatments in our Trinity, Florida, office. 

One of the main things we emphasize to our patients is the importance of early hemorrhoid treatment. Untreated hemorrhoids may prolapse (push outside the anus), or may cause thrombosis (when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel). 

Prolapsed and thrombosed hemorrhoids can cause potentially life-threatening bleeding or prevent you from having bowel movements. 

However, some hemorrhoids go away on their own. If you’re wondering how to tell when it’s time to see the doctor, today’s blog can help. Read on to learn when to reach out to us, and what we can do to help. 

When to see a doctor about hemorrhoid pain 

The answer to the question of when to see the doctor about hemorrhoids has a pretty simple answer: If your hemorrhoids are painful, it’s time to call us for expert help. 

Hemorrhoid pain may not start until hemorrhoids are severe, but there are often warning signs before the problem reaches that point. The signs of hemorrhoids vary with the type. 

Internal hemorrhoids

Painless rectal bleeding is the main sign of internal hemorrhoids, those that are contained within the anus. 

You might notice blood on your toilet tissue, in your stool, or in the toilet water. If this happens consistently, hemorrhoid pain could be next. 

External hemorrhoids

With external hemorrhoids, those that appear as bumps around the anus, you can experience itching, irritation, and pain during bowel movements, when sitting, or at other times.  

External hemorrhoids sometimes go away on their own; however, if you’re in pain, the problem may worsen significantly if you don’t seek help. 

So, when it comes to dealing with hemorrhoid pain, getting help as soon as you can is the rule.

Solutions for hemorrhoids

At Bay Area Gastroenterology Associates, LLC, we provide a spectrum of nonsurgical hemorrhoid treatments here in our Trinity office. While hemorrhoids may go away naturally in some cases, it’s easy to get much faster relief by coming to us for help.

Our first-line approach often involves diet changes such as increasing fiber, sitz baths, soothing pads, or ointments. Hemorrhoids may go away within a few weeks using these conservative measures.

Should your pain continue or worsen, we provide office-based treatments like hemorrhoid banding that can eliminate your hemorrhoids. With banding, your provider uses a special ligation device to place a tiny rubber band around internal hemorrhoids. 

The rubber band prevents the hemorrhoid from engorging with more blood. With its blood supply gone, the hemorrhoid shrinks. Within days, the hemorrhoid falls off. This usually happens during a bowel movement. It’s okay to flush the rubber bands. 

Bay Area Gastroenterology Associates, LLC, can help with hemorrhoids at any stage, so you don’t have to wait until you’re in terrible pain to get treatment and prevent complications. If you’re experiencing itching, rectal bleeding, pain, or other hemorrhoid symptoms that interfere with your daily routine, call our Trinity office, or contact us online today.