How to Get Rid of Hemorrhoids
These simple strategies bring relief—and prevent future flare-ups
They itch. They burn. They can even bleed. If you struggle with constipation or you’ve been pregnant, you may have experienced hemorrhoids. These swollen rectal veins affect about half of people over age 50 and lead to 4 million visits to doctors and emergency rooms a year.
Why Hemorrhoids Happen
We all have a cluster of veins around the anal canal. Trouble can occur when they swell and become irritated, causing either an internal or external hemorrhoid.
7 Steps to Try at Home
Consider a laxative. Straining on the toilet? A good first fix is an over-the-counter laxative, Brown says. He recommends those with polyethylene glycol (found in MiraLax) or magnesium hydroxide (in Milk of Magnesia), which pull water into the intestines and soften stool. If constipation is ongoing or frequent, ask your doctor whether your regular medications may be the cause.
Raise your feet. Resting your feet on a stool or stack of books helps reduce straining during bowel movements. The Squatty Potty Oslo Folding Bamboo Toilet Stool, which can be tucked away when not in use, is one of several good options.
Limit toilet time. If you’re struggling to go, get up after 5 minutes and try again later. And don’t sit around with a phone or book. A study in PLOS One, led by Pasricha, found that people who used their cell phones while seated on the toilet had a 46 percent higher risk of hemorrhoids than people who didn’t.
Eat more fiber. Fiber helps to form stools so they pass more smoothly and reduce strain. A meta-analysis published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found that a higher fiber intake reduced the likelihood of hemorrhoid symptoms by more than 50 percent. Women over 51 should aim for at least 22 grams of fiber a day and men over 51 should get 28 grams. Rich sources include black beans (about 8 grams per half-cup) and brown rice (almost 4 grams per cup). Lentils, brussels sprouts, broccoli, and many fruits are also high in fiber. Boost your water intake to help fiber do its job.
Take a therapeutic bath. Sitting in a tub of warm water for 15 to 20 minutes can reduce inflammation and pain.
Avoid scratching. It can increase irritation and bleeding. And don’t overwipe. Clean with disposable towelettes and pat dry with toilet paper.
Use topicals temporarily. Companies that make OTC wipes, foams, creams, and suppositories say they help ease pain and reduce swelling. There’s no solid data on effectiveness, but you might get some relief, Brown says.
When to Call the Doctor
See one right away for sudden intense pain and swelling in the area, which could indicate a blood clot. If you notice blood in your stool or on toilet paper more than a few times, let your doctor know in order to rule out diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disorder, and colorectal cancer, Brown says. Do the same if hemorrhoid symptoms don’t resolve after a week or so of trying at-home steps.
In some cases, your doctor may recommend surgery. For internal hemorrhoids, banding—an in-office treatment where an elastic band is wrapped around a bulging vein to cut off its circulation—is considered the most effective. Recovery is typically immediate and the hemorrhoid usually falls off within a week. Hemorrhoids that are external are removed under anesthesia, and recovery takes about two weeks.
Editor’s Note: A version of this article also appeared in the December 2025 issue of Consumer Reports on Health.
