Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?

Melissa Sanders35 said:Hey everyone. I wanted to share what I'm going through. About eight months ago, I had my baby, and ever since the delivery, hemorrhoids have been a nightmare. It was painful and difficult to deal with in the bathroom, but they were internal and would settle down, so I didn't panic too much. Then, three days ago, one decided to make a bold appearance on the outside, and honestly, the pain is unbearable right now. From what I can see, it's this hard, immovable blue lump about half an inch long. I've never really struggled with hemorrhoids before, though I've always dealt with constipation and irregular movements. There’s no family history of this either. Everyone kept pushing Plex on me, which turned out to be a massive mistake—nothing but expensive marketing. Two weeks after taking Plex, things just went south fast. About a month ago, I saw my doctor; she checked everything and said there wasn't anything palpable internally, and that the blood in my stool was likely due to intestinal irritation. She recommended Detralex, which I just started three days ago. Every morning, I have bran with a glass of Donat mg. After every bathroom trip, I clean up and do chamomile sitz baths twice a day, applying some ointment from a local pharmacy and taking Detralex 2 x2. Is there anything else I should try or take, keeping in mind that I am breastfeeding?

Get a second opinion... And for heaven's sake, stay away from diarrhea. That is absolute torture when you're dealing with hemorrhoids...

feralsurfer172 said:Hey there.

The situation:
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The downside is when bits of "material" fly "off target" and end up where they shouldn't. It's honestly gross... just a total mess.
It just takes a little focus to manage.

😂🤣 Seriously... But all jokes aside, you really need to maintain perfect hygiene. I’d actually agree with the method you mentioned. So, what does "deep cleaning" even mean to you? The bottom line is that bowel movements should be smooth, effortless, and natural. The way you described the cleaning process sounds fine. But there's a catch... You have to make sure you're completely empty. That's the only way to ensure everything stays clean, because nothing should be contaminating an already washed area. Hygiene is everything here. And if I'm being honest, I can see surgery in your future...

Michael Diaz4 said:Keeping things clean is absolutely vital here, and honestly, I can see where this is heading... you might end up needing surgery.

I tried sticking to strict hygiene, but even then, I ended up dealing with extra complications despite doing everything right.

And let's be real, surgery isn't always some magic fix either—it's pretty brutal, and there's a good chance those symptoms just come crawling back anyway.

At the end of the day, making some lifestyle changes never hurts, regardless of what happens next. ☕

It kind of reminds me of that old saying floating around online: "The older I get, the more I know, but the less I can actually do about it!"😍

Melissa Sanders35 said:Is there anything else I could try or maybe take, keeping in mind that I'm breastfeeding right now?

Dennis Martin3, maybe one of these would help?
Your doctor probably knows best, but honestly, it’s always just easier for them to hand out a prescription for some heavy-duty meds.

healthline.com/article/treating-hemorrhoids-during-pregnancy

I’m planning on checking in with my doctor in a few days, but honestly, I’m mostly just looking to hear if anyone else has dealt with this stuff before. Regarding these thrombosed hemorrhoids I'm currently wrestling with—I've been reading online that this counts as stage 4?? Is there any actual chance this can be sorted out with just the mild treatment I'm on right now, or am I definitely looking at some kind of procedure? What a total nightmare, especially since I was supposed to be heading out on a trip this week...

You’re right, Boomer, there are definitely all kinds of doctors out there, but I really trust my own physician—she's honestly such a wonderful woman. Just my luck, though, she’s going on vacation right when I finally get my appointment... 🙂

feralsurfer172 said:I’ve actually noticed a pattern where avoiding hemorrhoid issues goes hand-in-hand with staying out of the hospital and maintaining regular, soft bowel movements.

I have to say, I’ve observed the exact same thing. I tried just about everything under the sun—various pills (Veneton helped a little bit, but let's be honest...), changing my diet, cutting out certain drinks, and so on. Then I decided to give Lepicol a shot. It’s frequently recommended by doctors for people dealing with IBS (even the person behind the formulation deals with IBS themselves). Basically, Lepicol uses a blend of fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics to soften things up when you're constipated, while also helping to firm things up if you're dealing with diarrhea. It features top-tier psyllium husk...
For me, the first signs of improvement showed up after about twenty days of taking two teaspoons daily. Now, I barely have any issues at all since I just take one teaspoon a day for maintenance. At first, the price tag of $107 or $35 gave me pause—since it's a commercial product, and I was feeling pretty skeptical after getting burned by that Plex scam—but looking back at how much trouble I was in...

You can find a bit more info on this link...

Melissa Sanders35 said:I’m planning to check in with my doctor in a few days, but honestly, I’m curious about what everyone else has dealt with. Regarding these thrombosed hemorrhoids (which is what I'm facing right now)—is it true that counts as stage 4?? Is there any chance this can be cleared up with the mild treatment I'm on currently, or am I looking at surgery? Such a headache, especially since I was supposed to travel this week..

If the pain isn't unbearable, you could probably still make your trip—provided things settle down enough so it's not a constant issue. But as for the thrombosis? You usually need a procedure to get rid of that...

feralsurfer172 said:Hygiene alone didn't do it for me—I stayed on top of that religiously, but then the extra complications started hitting.

Surgery isn't always a magic bullet either. It’s incredibly painful, and honestly, the symptoms can come back.

Regardless, changing up your lifestyle is never a bad move. ☕

There’s an old saying floating around these forums: "The older I get, the more I know, but the less I can actually do!"😍

The surgery I mentioned over a year ago IS the only permanent fix. Once it's done, they don't come back. Take a look at some of the older posts and links here; you might be surprised by what you find once you dig into it. I was a skeptic too, right up until I had the procedure and my doctor confirmed that this specific intervention was the only way to make it stick for good...

Michael Diaz4 said:The surgery I brought up over a year ago really is the only way to get a permanent fix.

Honestly, if things start getting worse, you're looking at either meds or surgery—there just isn't any other way out of it.

The real kicker is whether we can actually slow down how fast this thing progresses.

I mean, getting older is inevitable, but changing up your habits shouldn't make things any worse than they already are.
To be totally real with you guys, I don't know the first thing about medicine.

Take care. 😉

feralsurfer172 said:When symptoms get bad, you need meds or surgery—there’s just no other way.

The real question here is whether we can actually slow down the progression of the disease.

Aging is inevitable, sure, but changing up your habits shouldn't make things any worse.
To be honest, I don't know the first thing about medicine.

Best, 😉

Prevention is everything. Take a look at this recent article I shared in its entirety...

feralsurfer172 said:Greetings.

I am 49 years old, and about a year ago, I started dealing with hemorrhoid issues:
a lump that would retract after a bowel movement, some "yellow residue," occasional bleeding, and lingering pain after going that could last all day
including several consecutive days of bleeding combined with constipation. Typical progression for this condition.
I know—just the mileage catching up to me...

The best course of action is to see a doctor and get a consultation.

After managing the bleeding using Fact ointment, I attempted to overhaul my habits and lifestyle.

My protocol:
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1.) To minimize straining, I have adjusted myself to have two movements instead of one daily: once in the morning before work and again around 6:00 PM after dinner.

2.) When using the restroom, I don't sit on the seat (doctors say that position puts undue pressure on the veins), but rather stand with my feet right next to the toilet bowl. I engage my abdominal muscles and, before the actual release, squat to do my business.
Then I straighten up, usually finishing in just 2 or 3 attempts.
The impression is that it significantly reduces the strain on the affected areas.
The downside is that occasionally a bit of "material" flies "off target" onto places we’d rather avoid. Gross—literally a shit situation...
It requires a little extra attention to manage.

3.) After finishing and wiping thoroughly, I follow up with a rinse with clean, cool water: not ice cold, not hot.
Technique: I sit in the tub, grab the showerhead, and let it rip (using the toilet forces the body back into that awkward position).

Online (though I can't find the specific link now), a physician advised that one should wash deeply.

Then, I wipe once more with paper to catch any moisture or residual fluid.

Finally, wash your hands about 20 times!!!

4.) Perform sphincter muscle exercises.
The doctor mentioned in point 3 that squeezing and releasing the muscle for a few minutes a day is sufficient.
I make sure to do this in the evening while brushing my teeth before bed.

5.) Consume foods that prevent hard stools and constipation.
This is a broad topic with many approaches.

For breakfast or dinner, I always have milk + cereal (oatmeal, rice, or corn) + honey.
Older folks often struggle to digest milk; perhaps it acts as a mild laxative for them.
For example, magnesium (like Mg/"Donat mg") acts as a laxative, as does leafy greens.

With enough milk daily, it's difficult for stools to become "hard as stone."

At work, I take my dry meal from the bakery and "wash it down" with 1-2 dl of "Bioaktiv". I go through large packs of it.
Less meat—plenty of fruit and vegetables with high fiber...

6.) Increase physical activity, especially for those with sedentary jobs like mine.
Since it's currently warm out, it's easier to motivate myself now than during the winter or bad weather.

Conclusion:
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I haven't seen symptoms for a few weeks, so I'm enjoying the relief and staying vigilant.
I'm not deluding myself—given aging, the hemorrhoids will likely resurface.
A doctor's visit is essential because bleeding can also be a symptom of more serious illnesses.

Perhaps just one factor had an impact, such as the increased movement during this season?
Regardless, I notice that the absence of hemorrhoid issues coincides perfectly with the absence of constipation and regular, soft stools.

If you are at the beginning stages of hemorrhoid problems, perhaps some of this might offer you relief. It would please me to know, which is why I decided to share my experience.

feralsurfer172.

Good grief, if you had gone any further, you might as well have claimed you kiss her every night before bed and bring her breakfast in bed every single Christmas morning. -)))

You’ve listed quite a few things here, making it difficult to address everything individually. Personally, I would suggest cutting out dairy entirely, as it tends to harden things up. The core objective should be softening the stool, which really comes down to increasing fiber intake and eating more fruit. Eating one or two apples before heading to sleep is often enough to ensure things move smoothly in the morning... provided you also cut out the alcohol and chocolate, both of which contribute to the hardening process...

Matthew Price10 said:Good grief. You might as well have said you rub her feet every night before bed and bring her breakfast in bed every Christmas morning. -)))

You’ve listed quite a few things here; hard to address them all. I would personally cut out dairy entirely since it tends to cause constipation. The goal is softening everything up, which requires plenty of fiber and fruit. Eating one or two apples before bed usually does the trick for a smooth morning, provided you also skip the alcohol and chocolate, both of which make matters worse...

My doctor told me to limit my dairy intake, including cheese. Apparently, they contribute to constipation too. I've certainly noticed that myself.
I suspect eating apples in the morning might be more effective than right before sleep. 🙂

Rachel Garcia said:My doctor actually told me I need to cut back on dairy, including cheese, because apparently it can make things pretty hard to pass, which is something I’ve definitely noticed myself.
I've always felt like eating apples in the morning is probably a better move than snacking on them right before hitting the hay. 🙂

I wasn't trying to lecture anyone here, but sticking to a balanced diet with plenty of hydration is a pretty well-known way to stay ahead of constipation.

I wonder if my own issues with loose stools come from not digesting milk properly, or if maybe those grains—like oats, rice, corn, or muesli—act as a sort of digestive regulator for me?
My 80-year-old mom drinks a ton of milk even though she doesn't get much out of it; she doesn't struggle with being backed up, just the opposite, if you know what I mean.
So, that's where the idea of having just one dairy-heavy meal a day came from.

Before I switched to milk, I used to deal with bloating and even cramps sometimes, which usually points to some digestion drama, especially since I tend to drench my pastries in Bioaktiv.

Look, I’m no medical expert, so I might be totally misinterpreting things or just rambling aimlessly here, who knows?
But hey, at least I haven't dealt with any hemorrhoid flare-ups this spring.

At the end of the day, you really should listen to your doctor, but what happens if you follow their advice to a T and still don't see any improvement?
That's when people start looking into alternative, personalized approaches—they aren't a magic bullet for everyone, obviously, but they might help certain groups, even if those alternative methods often have that "little" issue where they don't quite live up to the hype.

I was reading online that bad lifestyle habits and just getting older are major culprits when it comes to hemorrhoids.
We can't stop the aging process, obviously, but I'm hoping that staying active, keeping up with hygiene, and being smart about what we eat early on can slow things down and ease the symptoms alongside whatever standard treatment a proctologist prescribes when things get serious.

Really, anyone can try adjusting their daily habits on their own to make life a little easier while dealing with this stuff.

Boomer.🙄

PS: Just a heads-up, some really serious, life-threatening conditions can actually mimic hemorrhoid symptoms!

Look, rectal bleeding can definitely be a red flag for something serious. That is why doctors exist and why colonoscopies are necessary to get a clear picture, but there is no need to spiral into a panic just yet. If veins are weakened, they can burst during straining, which results in those small drops of blood. Honestly, it is much better for a vessel to pop in your backside than in your brain. As we age, hemorrhoid issues typically subside—provided you actually focus on prevention through lifestyle changes. Beyond the obvious dietary adjustments like increasing fiber via whole grains and fruit to soften stool, there are other strategic moves. For instance, cutting back on red meat from seven times a week down to just two or three, while ramping up fish, poultry, and hearty stews, can make a massive difference. Most people overlook these basics today. I am telling you, quite a lot can be done proactively so you aren't left playing catch-up when it's already too late.

feralsurfer172 said:A diet tailored with plenty of fluids is a well-known way to prevent hard stools, and I wasn't trying to repeat myself there.

Maybe in my specific case, having loose stools happens because I’m not digesting milk properly, or perhaps cereals act as a digestive regulator (oatmeal, rice, corn, muesli...)?
My 80-year-old mother drinks a lot of milk even though she doesn't get much benefit from it. She doesn't deal with constipation, but rather issues with stools being too soft.
That’s where the idea for a daily dairy-based meal came from.

Before I started the milk regimen, I dealt with bloating and occasionally cramps, which points to digestive issues. I should mention that I now pour "Bioaktiv" over my pastries from the bakery.

I wrote earlier that I’m no medical expert—maybe I misinterpreted something, or maybe the whole thing was just poorly explained?
Regardless, I haven't had any issues with hemorrhoids this spring.

You have to listen to your doctor. But what if you do everything they tell you and there’s zero progress?
That’s when people start reaching for alternative, individualized approaches. They aren't generally effective for everyone, but they might help a specific group. I also know that alternative methods have a "small" problem—they often (usually?) fail to deliver what they claim.

I'll quote some stuff from the web suggesting that poor lifestyle habits and aging can be responsible for the onset of hemorrhoids.
We can't stop aging, but I hope that physical activity, hygiene, and dietary choices during the early stages of the condition can slow down the progression and ease the symptoms alongside the "heavy-duty" therapy prescribed by traditional medicine (any proctologist would agree with me on that).

Anyone can try to individually change their lifestyle habits with the goal of making life easier while dealing with hemorrhoids.

Boomer.🙄

PS: Some diseases that are actually fatal present symptoms similar to hemorrhoids!

She has loose stools specifically because of dairy products—basically lactose intolerance, which is practically normal at her age.
And one last thing: you're overthinking it.

analogbison62 said:As we get older, those pesky hemorrhoid issues can actually start to chill out, provided you’re proactive about prevention through lifestyle tweaks. Beyond just sticking to the stuff I already mentioned—like loading up on fiber with grains and fruit to keep things moving smoothly—there are a few other moves you can make, like cutting back on red meat from seven days a week down to maybe two or three, while leaning more into fish, poultry, and hearty stews which aren't really staples for everyone anymore. Honestly, there's just so much you can do to stay ahead of the game before things get too uncomfortable...

Totally agree, 🙂100%

vividsailor7 said:The loose stools are basically just from the dairy—lactose intolerance, which is pretty much par for the course at this stage of life.

Yeah, I actually use that little side effect to make sure things don't get too backed up, though honestly, everything is running way too liquid right now, which isn't exactly ideal either, haha. I'm sure there are probably smarter ways to keep things moving without all that drama.

Hey, vividsailor7, what would you suggest I do here? Is hitting the milk once a day at my age—I'm 49 now—actually doing any indirect damage to me? (I know in some parts of the world where people live forever and have everything they need, they drink tons of milk and dairy products).

vividsailor7 said:And as for the last part: yeah, it's overkill.

Just figured it was common knowledge, but I wanted to emphasize it for those of us in the middle-aged or older crowd, since that's where I'm at. 🙂

Milk is loaded with antibiotics, so you better decide if you're actually getting something out of it or just wrecking your body.

analogbison62 said:Look, rectal bleeding can definitely be a red flag for something serious. That’s why doctors exist and why colonoscopies are a thing—to find out what's actually going on. But you shouldn't spiral into a panic. If your veins are weak and you're straining too hard, they can pop, which explains a few drops of blood. Honestly, I'd rather have something pop down there than in my brain. As we age, hemorrhoid issues usually taper off, provided you're proactive about prevention through lifestyle changes. Beyond the usual advice of softening things up with more fiber, grains, and fruit, there are other ways. For instance, cutting back on red meat from seven times a week to just two or three, and bumping up your intake of fish, poultry, and stews—things that aren't staples in our diet much anymore. What I mean is, a lot can be done for prevention before it's too late...

That is absolutely incorrect. Problems generally get worse as you get older. However, if people stay disciplined, they can slow that progression down. Many people manage to go their whole lives without ever needing surgery. And some, God knows, end up suffering quite a bit...