Let me contribute a few intelligent 😁
1. The most critical step is obtaining an accurate diagnosis. You must visit a primary care physician or a specialist regardless of how uncomfortable or embarrassing it feels; this is vital because...
2. ...hemorrhoids aren't always the culprit. There are several similar conditions, yet "hemorrhoids" is the catch-all term used by the general public. In reality, you could be dealing with hemorrhoids, an anal fissure, an anal fistula, or perhaps something else entirely.
I am providing a copy-paste excerpt below (since I cannot post links due to advertising rules) just so you can see how easily a misdiagnosis occurs:
Anal Fissure
This proctological condition manifests as a small wound or ulcer on the highly sensitive lining of the anal canal. Because the area is so delicate, the typical symptoms include:
* intense, burning pain in the anal area, which is particularly acute after bowel movements and can persist for hours
* bright red bleeding
* a palpable lump located immediately above the fissure, often referred to as a "sentinel polyp"
The pain and bleeding associated with an anal fissure, combined with the presence of that palpable lump, frequently misleads even medical professionals, who may incorrectly interpret the condition as "inflamed external hemorrhoids." To be clear, those are not hemorrhoids.
I dealt with this for several months. I was convinced I had hemorrhoids, so I applied every ointment imaginable before finally seeing a doctor and then a specialist. As expected, it was my own fault for accepting the wrong diagnosis. It turned out I had an anal fissure and that damn "sentinel polyp," which confused me because it looks exactly like a hemorrhoid.
The surgery was performed at a hospital; it lasted about 20 minutes under general anesthesia, and I was discharged to go home two hours later. A day or two after the procedure, I experienced some minor bleeding while having a shit 😁 but without severe pain—just a slight stinging sensation. I take "Fybogel" every morning and evening (I assume it is available in the US) to regulate my bowel movements and strengthen the anal muscles.
My advice is simple: head straight to a doctor via a referral to a specialist or visit a private clinic. Do not let fear or shame stop you; it isn't worth suffering over something that can be resolved quite quickly.
Oh, I almost forgot... I asked the surgeon what caused my specific issue. He told me bluntly: "A poor lifestyle, bad dietary choices (meaning too much fat, salt, spice, and dried meats, and not enough fruit), alcohol, and cigarettes... all the things we already know damage the body."