The Ultimate Guide to Hemorrhoids

5. Treatment options

Treatment of hemorrhoids depends on the severity. For both internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids, the first line of treatment is modifying the stool, specifically increasing fiber and fluid intake to reduce constipation. Doctors may also recommend regular exercise and stool softeners and ask that you avoid pushing, straining, and sitting on the toilet for more than five minutes at a time.

If these changes are ineffective, treatments like rubber band ligation, injection sclerotherapy, dilation, and cryotherapy may be used. Rubber band ligation is the most commonly performed intervention as it is the safest and the most cost-effective. Surgery may be required if other treatments are unsuccessful or if hemorrhoids are particularly large. Surgical options include excising or cutting out the hemorrhoid, stapling the hemorrhoid to cut off the blood supply, and trans-anal revascularization when the surgeon ligates the arteries to reduce the size of the hemorrhoids.