Read up on Hemorrhoids treatment options at Consumer Reports Health.

Hemorrhoids

Key points about treatments

If your symptoms are mild, there are creams and ointments that you can use yourself to treat your hemorrhoids. But if your symptoms are more troublesome, you may choose to have an operation.

You might be worried that the bleeding is caused by something serious. For more information, see Other conditions that can cause bleeding. If your doctor can tell you that your bleeding is definitely caused by hemorrhoids, it may put your mind at rest. Once you know there's nothing seriously wrong, you can decide whether you'd rather try simple treatments or have an operation.

The kind of treatment your doctor suggests will depend on how bad your hemorrhoids are. For a description of the categories of hemorrhoids, see What are hemorrhoids?

First degree: There are things you can try yourself to treat mild hemorrhoids. These include avoiding

constipated
When you're constipated, you have difficulty passing stools (feces). Your bowel movements may be dry and hard. You may have fewer bowel movements than usual, and it may be a strain when you try to go.

constipation and not straining on the toilet. If you get a lot of bleeding, you may need treatment to shrink your hemorrhoids. You could have injections, infrared treatment or banding.
Second degree: This type of hemorrhoid can be treated with banding, injections or infrared treatment. Banding is the most common method. Doctors use a rubber band to cut off the blood supply to your hemorrhoid.
Third degree: If you have a prolapsed hemorrhoid (it hangs down outside your

anus
The anus, which is at the end of the rectum, is where a stool leaves your body when you go to the bathroom. Part of the anus is a muscle that helps you hold in the stool until you are on the toilet.

anus), you can have banding at first. But you may need an operation to cut away the hemorrhoid.
Fourth degree: If you feel treatment is necessary, you'll need an operation to cut this type of hemorrhoid away.

This information was last updated on Apr 01, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
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