Everything You Didn't Want to Know About Hemorrhoids

While not the sexiest topic, hemorrhoids are something many women experience during 
their lifetime. It is uncomfortable and can even be painful, but if it helps, it is very 
common. You can bet you know women who have had hemorrhoids, but were too 
embarrassed to talk about them. 

If you’re not quite ready to ask your doctor about it, here are some things to know about 
hemorrhoids, and what you can do about them.


What are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are extremely common for women, and it is possible you have had them 
more than once without ever realizing. So, what are they exactly? Hemorrhoids are the 
result of the veins located at your rectum and anus become swollen and inflamed. They 
typically get irritated, become swollen, then can cause symptoms like pain and itching. 

You can get either internal or external hemorrhoids. With external hemorrhoids, you 
would be able to feel them, and can be more painful than internal hemorrhoids. With 
internal hemorrhoids, it might cause pain when having a bowel movement, but isn’t as 
noticeable as the external variety.


Signs You Have Hemorrhoids

If you think you might have hemorrhoids but aren’t quite sure, here are some common 
signs and symptoms:

You have a lot of itching around your anus, with no other cause.
You have pain around your anus.
You notice a swelling or lump that is irritated and itchy.
Your bowel movements become very painful.
You notice bleeding after a bowel movement.


What Can Cause Them?

While they are not a serious condition, hemorrhoids can be really uncomfortable and 
sometimes painful. They are caused by a number of different things, from constipation 
to weight or pregnancy.

The most common cause of hemorrhoids is constipation. Not occasional constipation, 
which most people have, but chronic constipation that occurs frequently. The longer you 
sit on the toilet straining to have a bowel movement, the more likely it is that blood flow 
to those veins will become abnormal, and cause swelling of the veins.

For this reason, women who are pregnant often get them, and they are more common 
in obese adults.


What You Can Do About it

The good news is that in many cases, you don’t need to see your doctor for treatment 
for hemorrhoids. Some home treatments include:

Using over-the-counter ointments – There are a few topical ointments that can be 
applied to the area to help relieve pain and numb the skin, such as hydrocortisone.

Wiping with wet wipes – Instead of irritating the skin with dry toilet paper, try using a 
wet wipe or towelette. 

Over-the-counter pain relievers – For persistent hemorrhoid pain, you can take a pain 
relief medication like ibuprofen or aspirin.

If the hemorrhoids become a more serious problem, ask your doctor for advice. In some 
cases, they can be surgically removed.

