Dealing with hemorrhoids

Jason Wright41 · 2004-06-28T01:20:58+00:00

Can someone please explain how I can tell if I actually have hemorrhoids? I’ve heard there are different types... basically, it happens quite often, though not…

Thomas Roberts9 Active Member

151 messages
joined Aug 2017

#658 · Feb 7, 2009

Sarah Young49;18669945 said:I also dealt with hemorrhoids QUOTE]

Everything you mentioned sounds like it could be quite effective, particularly since you're focusing on olive oil. Based on your description, I am assuming we are talking about external hemorrhoids?
But what about the internal ones?!?!?!?! 😕 I struggle with internal issues myself, and I honestly can't say if this "recipe" would actually make a difference for me.

Sarah Young49 Newcomer

3 messages
joined Feb 2009

#659 · Feb 8, 2009

You make a fair point—we’re talking about external issues here. For anything internal, you might want to try using a Fact cream. It's really the only one I'm familiar with. Personally, even for external relief, it worked for me—though it did take a few extra days before the pain finally subsided.🤷

Thomas Roberts9 Active Member

151 messages
joined Aug 2017

#660 · Feb 8, 2009

Oh boy... 😲 Honestly, using Preparation H and Anusol just leaves me feeling completely overwhelmed. I can't quite put my finger on why, but they seem to irritate me from the inside out; it’s as if they immediately send me running to the restroom. I try to push through the discomfort for a little while, but eventually, a stinging sensation sets in, and after about two or three hours, I find myself needing to use the restroom again, only to deal with some rather loose stools. I am fairly certain they are the cause of the digestive upset, but they really do seem to trigger such an urgent need to go. 🤷

swiftjackal6 Newcomer

1 message
joined Jan 2009

#661 · Feb 8, 2009

So, I’m wondering if hemorrhoids can actually cause sharp rectal pain or sudden cramping during physical exertion, or if that’s something else entirely

Thomas Roberts9 Active Member

151 messages
joined Aug 2017

#662 · Feb 9, 2009

swiftjackal6 said:I am wondering if a hemorrhoid can cause sudden pain or perhaps those sharp, cramp-like sensations in the rectal area when you are physically exerting yourself.

Yes, it certainly can, and honestly, the discomfort can sometimes just arise on its own without any physical exertion at all.😢

Megan Jackson9 Newcomer

7 messages
joined Feb 2009

#663 · Feb 9, 2009

So... here’s my situation:-(
I'm 19 and dealing with external hemorrhoids. I've had them for almost two years now because of some irregular bowel movements. Up until lately, they weren't really an issue.
Even when the gastroenterologist was doing my colonoscopy (since there was some suspicion of Crohn's disease), they didn't even mention them because they weren't causing any pain at all.
But, well, that's where the trouble starts—things have gotten worse over the last six months.
..
I've been reading through some posts here, and I wouldn't say the pain is intense.
I have four inflamed bumps, or whatever they're called, that bleed whenever I have a hard stool, and that's when it hurts quite a bit.
If things are moving normally, there's no pain at all.
It never hurts when I'm sitting, and it doesn't really interfere with my life as long as my bowel movements are regular, but once things get hard, I'm in a lot of misery..
Basically, regardless of how you look at it, I have these external hemorrhoids—four little bumps that flare up and hurt only when my stool is hard.
I tried using Preparation H to get rid of them, but it didn't seem to help much, so I'm feeling pretty desperate.
I don't really want to go to the doctor, though I suppose I am worried that the situation might get worse.😢
I'd rather just try some kind of cream, so if anyone could help, I'd appreciate it :-(
++Also, do I actually need to see a doctor? I've never dealt with hemorrhoids before, and honestly, I'm a little embarrassed.😢

Sarah Young49 Newcomer

3 messages
joined Feb 2009

#664 · Feb 9, 2009

Megan Jackson9 said:So... here is my situation:-(
....I really don't want to go to the doctor, even though I am worried things might get worse😢
I was hoping someone could recommend a good cream—please help me out:-(
++Do I actually need to see a doctor? I've never dealt with a hemorrhoid before, and honestly, I'm a little embarrassed😢

I’ve never gone to the doctor for them either—I always just handled it myself. Creams never really did the trick for me; olive oil was the only thing that worked. Take a look at my second-to-last post (six posts above yours) and you'll see how I make that "cream." It worked wonders for me.
😁

Thomas Roberts9 Active Member

151 messages
joined Aug 2017

#665 · Feb 9, 2009

Megan Jackson9 said:I have never actually dealt with a hemorrhoid before, and I must admit, I feel a little embarrassed about it.😢

There really is no reason to feel ashamed, as so many people struggle with hemorrhoids. If they ever start causing you significant discomfort, you will likely need to seek professional help, because simple home remedies—like using various creams, teas, or ointments—might not be quite enough to solve the problem.🤷

Sam Williams53 Newcomer

1 message
joined Mar 2009

#666 · Feb 9, 2009

Megan Jackson9 said:...should I actually go see a doctor? I've never dealt with a hemorrhoid before and, honestly, I'm a little embarrassed😢

There is absolutely no reason to feel embarrassed about this. 🙂

Don't just sit there and suffer through the pain.
The only real way to handle hemorrhoids is to see a specialist... they'll assess the situation and tell you exactly what steps to take next. 👍

Jessica Grant56 Regular

311 messages
joined Dec 2011

#667 · Feb 10, 2009

One quick word for the panic-prone crowd: it doesn’t always mean you need to run straight to a doctor!! I say that with the confidence of someone who has been "coexisting" with this issue for nearly 25 years now. We're talking about internal hemorrhoids. They pop out after a bowel movement, and then—once I wash up and apply some ointment—I manage to get them back inside. I usually stick to decent stuff, like Anusol or maybe some vein gel, Vaseline, or Nature's Bounty, and I only really deal with it right after using the restroom.

It’s definitely not a perfect situation, though—especially after a few hours of more intense physical labor (you know, kneeling, lifting things, painting a room, etc.)—it tends to flare up! Food isn't ever an issue for me. As for bleeding, it’s incredibly rare; it only happens if it's triggered by heavy exertion or if my stomach acts up and I get diarrhea. That's when they tend to crack, but again: it’s very rare.

I heard a while back that certain vein creams actually help strengthen the walls, which is helpful because mine have become super thin—which, in my case, is spot on. I’m hoping we can just keep "coexisting" like this, but if anything serious changes, I know I need to head to the doctor IMMEDIATELY! Honestly, it’s also good to read about how many other people are dealing with the exact same thing. If there are four of us in a group and three of us are struggling with the same misery, there's really no reason to feel ashamed, right?

Carl Ramirez8 Newcomer

2 messages
joined Feb 2009

#668 · Feb 10, 2009

I’ve dealt with hemorrhoids twice in my life. It’s pretty uncomfortable, but I guess it happens. There are creams out there that help. Sure, things can get a bit difficult when you're on the toilet, but hey, we've all been through worse. I try to stay on top of my hygiene and take good care of myself.

Karen Adams2 Active Member

55 messages
joined Mar 2010

#669 · Feb 10, 2009

After cycling through endless creams and ointments, it was actually those "Ultraproct" suppositories that finally did the trick for me. After what felt like a grueling six months, I’m finally at a point where the pain has subsided and the bleeding has stopped. The thing is, the instructions say you shouldn't use them for more than a month at a time, and I honestly have no idea what my next move should be once they run out. To make matters worse, I've already scheduled an appointment for a checkup, and now that it's getting closer, I can feel this wave of panic starting to set in... I'm just not sure if I'm ready to face it yet...😁

Sam Williams53 Newcomer

1 message
joined Mar 2009

#670 · Feb 10, 2009

Eric Chase12 said:One thing for the panic-mongers to remember: just because you have symptoms doesn't mean a doctor is an absolute requirement right this second!!...

Don't say it like that—doctors aren't just there to deal with hemorrhoids. What if there's bleeding slightly above the hemorrhoids that needs attention?!
By then, it might be too late, like showing up to a BBQ after all the ribs are already gone!!!!
Besides, if it truly is just hemorrhoids, a person can always decide for themselves whether they want to follow a proctologist's advice or just stick to using creams or whatever else works....☕

Karen Adams2 said:...I don't even feel like going😁

What's there to panic about?🙂
The exam is quick, and sure, it’s a little uncomfortable, but it could potentially resolve much more serious issues!
I'm currently recovering from surgery myself, and as much as the issue was a hassle, I know that in a month's time, I won't even remember the discomfort.😉

Good luck.👍

Jessica Grant56 Regular

311 messages
joined Dec 2011

#671 · Feb 10, 2009

Sam Williams53 said:Look, don't just write that off—a doctor isn't just there to deal with hemorrhoids. I mean, what if there's some bleeding slightly above the area? That's a whole different story.
Man, you always show up way too late—right when everyone’s already finished off the seafood stew and moved on to the next thing!
Look, besides that—if we're just talking about hemorrhoids—it's really up to you. At the end of the day, you're the one in charge of your own body. You can decide whether you want to actually follow whatever a specialist tells you to do, or if you'd rather just stick to using creams or some over-the-counter stuff. It's your call.☕

Why the panic? 🙂
Look, I know the whole thing feels quick and maybe even a little awkward—let’s be honest, nobody actually enjoys these kinds of checkups—but they can seriously catch things before they turn into much bigger issues. It's worth it.
I’m currently in recovery mode after my surgery—and honestly, even though this whole thing is a huge pain right now, I know deep down that in about a month, I won't even remember it happened. 😉
Good luck! 👍

Look, you don't need to go sprinting to the doctor the second you notice a hemorrhoid popping up. I mean, nobody is quite that clueless—you’ll definitely know when things are bleeding. And like I said before, if we're talking about external ones, you can actually see the issue right there. It’s usually nothing life-threatening, so honestly, you might just want to try some creams first and see how it plays out. I hate to be the one to say this, but hemorrhoids have a nasty habit of coming back—I personally know a few people who ended up dealing with the exact same issue three or four years after their surgery! Every single tiny capillary—and trust me, there are tons of them—is basically a potential new hemorrhoid waiting to happen.

Karen Adams2 Active Member

55 messages
joined Mar 2010

#672 · Feb 11, 2009

Eric Chase12 said:Look, you don't need to go sprinting to the doctor the second you notice the first hemorrhoid... I mean, nobody is quite that clueless; you'll definitely notice when things start bleeding. And let me be clear: if we're talking about external or internal ones, that means you can actually SEE what's going on. It’s certainly not some catastrophic illness, so you might as well try some creams first and just monitor how things progress. I hate to be the one to say this, but recurrences are pretty common—I personally know several people who ended up with the exact SAME issue just three or four years after their surgery! Every single tiny capillary, and there are so many of them, acts as a potential site for a NEW hemorrhoid!

Honestly, I know plenty of people who dealt with a relapse even after having surgery, and that’s exactly what worries me; all that pain and hassle just to end up right back at square one. I'm wondering, in which specific cases is surgery the ONLY real solution? Also, could someone please tell me if working out is an issue? I haven't done any sit-ups or hit the gym in ages... nothing at all... and I miss it sooooo much...

Jerry Cox4 Newcomer

1 message
joined Feb 2009

#673 · Feb 12, 2009

I’ve got a question about hemorrhoids and was hoping for some advice if anyone can help...

So, I was showering the other day and noticed this tiny little bump near my anus. It basically appeared overnight—nothing there the day before. It’s almost skin-colored, maybe a bit lighter, and it doesn't hurt. No stinging, no bleeding either. It’s about the size of a pea, maybe even smaller... Is that even a hemorrhoid? And what would cause it? Could it be from diarrhea? I've been dealing with that a lot lately, probably just stress. Should I be using Preparation H, or is that only for internal ones? Thanks!!

Karen Adams2 Active Member

55 messages
joined Mar 2010

#674 · Feb 12, 2009

Jerry Cox4 said:I have a question regarding hemorrhoids and was wondering if anyone could offer some advice...

So, the other day while I was showering, I noticed this tiny little bump near my anus that seemingly appeared overnight, because I definitely didn't notice anything the day before. Basically, the bump is almost skin-colored, just a bit lighter, and it doesn't hurt or sting at all, nor is there any bleeding. It’s about the size of a pea, maybe even a little smaller... is that actually a hemorrhoid, and what could have caused it? Is it possible it came from diarrhea? I've been dealing with that quite a bit lately, probably due to stress. Should I be applying Fact cream, or is that specifically for internal hemorrhoids? Thanks!!

Well, looking at my own experience, nothing worked better for me than using lard for external issues and Ultraproct suppositories for the internal ones. The very first time I had a bump pop up, it disappeared after just a few hours once I applied the lard. My mistake was that I didn't stay on top of it and keep applying it every single day, which is exactly why I ended up in the situation I'm in now. Every time the discomfort subsided, I would naturally just forget all about it. Just keep applying the ointment, or try some other creams—though I have to emphasize that most others didn't do much for me—and whatever you do, don't sit on cold surfaces. Make sure you wash up with lukewarm water and apply a cream regularly. Honestly, if you stick to those steps, it won't get inflamed, and you won't end up becoming a frequent visitor to this thread like I did...😍

Peter Cooper5 Active Member

55 messages
joined May 2007

#675 · Feb 12, 2009

I honestly can't tell if it's just a hemorrhoid or what... but lately, the bleeding is back, along with that stinging pain and burning sensation after I hit the restroom... I dealt with this stuff before and it eventually cleared up, but now it's happening all over again. I guess I don't know if I should even bother seeing a doctor since it just flares up for a bit and then disappears on its own anyway.

Patrick King7 Member

31 messages
joined Jan 2010

#676 · Feb 12, 2009

Look, I’m big into cycling, and modern bike seats are supposedly "high quality," yet here I am dealing with hemorrhoids. When they first showed up, there was actual pain involved. Now, it’s more of a cycle—they flare up, they recede, they come back. It just rotates. To manage it, I always apply standard Nivea, Nivea Soft, or Baby soft right after my shower. I’ve had bleeding issues twice, but we're talking tiny amounts, like a single drop. As far as I can tell, this is the best way to handle things as long as you can still sit or lie down normally. It helps ease the strain from hard stools, though honestly, you're better off camping out in the restroom. Sometimes I'll sit there for 20 minutes and come out fine; if I rush or strain, the problems return immediately.

Jessica Grant56 Regular

311 messages
joined Dec 2011

#677 · Feb 13, 2009

Karen Adams2 said:I know plenty of people who dealt with them coming right back after surgery, and honestly—that’s what worries me most; all that struggle just to end up back at square one. I'm curious, in what specific scenarios is surgery the ONLY way out? And yeah, can someone tell me if working out is an issue? It's been ages since I did any sit-ups or hit the gym... nothing at all. Man, I miss that sooooo much...

I think the answer is actually pretty straightforward. Let me be clear here: if we are definitely talking about hemorrhoids (starting with one, then spreading...), there aren't many other paths to take:
- If they aren't bleeding—meaning you can keep them firm enough through various ointments, oils (anything from olive oil to specialized preparations), or suppositories—then it's mostly just an annoyance you might have to live with for life. People get used to the discomfort. But, over time, new ones pop up, and once the volume becomes a real issue, you're looking at surgery, period.

- If they bleed frequently or heavily—well, then it's obvious... go straight to the doctor. It's just plain stupid to risk bleeding out!

Unfortunately, they can come back. It's simple: another capillary just decides to become a hemorrhoid. The assumption is that the "victim," having learned from their previous experience, will try to manage things themselves—but that doesn't mean they won't find themselves back in the operating room eventually.
I think it's important to emphasize that hemorrhoids aren't exactly a "disease"—maybe you could compare them to skin tags or warts? It's basically just the result of certain capillaries malfunctioning; instead of staying small and doing their job, they swell up and cause trouble. But the issues are purely physical, aesthetic, and uncomfortable when you're using the restroom...

Dealing with hemorrhoids

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