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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids may include:
- Painless bleeding during bowel movements — you might notice small amounts of bright red blood on your toilet tissue or in the toilet bowl
- Itching or irritation in your anal region
- Pain or discomfort
- Hemorrhoids protruding from your anus
- Swelling around your anus
- A sensitive or painful lump near your anus
- Leakage of feces
Hemorrhoid symptoms usually depend on the location. Internal hemorrhoids lie inside the rectum. You can't see or feel these hemorrhoids, and they usually don't cause discomfort. But straining or irritation when passing stool can injure a hemorrhoid's delicate surface and cause it to bleed. Occasionally, straining can push an internal hemorrhoid through the anal opening. This is known as a protruding or prolapsed hemorrhoid and can cause pain and irritation.
External hemorrhoids are under the skin around your anus. When irritated, external hemorrhoids can itch or bleed. Sometimes blood may pool in an external hemorrhoid and form a clot (thrombus), resulting in severe pain, swelling and inflammation.
When to see a doctor
Bleeding during bowel movements is the most common sign of hemorrhoids. But rectal bleeding can occur with other digestive diseases, including colorectal cancer and anal cancer. Don't assume that bleeding is coming from hemorrhoids without consulting a doctor. Your doctor can do a physical examination and perform other tests to diagnose hemorrhoids and rule out more serious conditions or diseases. You should also seek medical advice if your hemorrhoids cause pain, bleed frequently or excessively, or don't improve with home remedies.
If your hemorrhoid symptoms began along with a marked change in bowel habits or if you're passing black, tarry or maroon stools, blood clots or blood mixed in with the stool, consult your doctor without delay. These types of stools can signal more extensive bleeding elsewhere in your digestive tract.
Seek emergency care if you experience large amounts of rectal bleeding, lightheadedness, dizziness or faintness.
- Hemorrhoids. American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons. http://www.fascrs.org/patients/conditions/hemorrhoids. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
- Hemorrhoids. American Gastroenterological Association. http://www.gastro.org/frame-templates/print_template.cfm. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
- Hemorrhoids. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hemorrhoids. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
- Kaidar-Person O, et al. Hemorrhoidal disease: A comprehensive review. Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 2007;204:102.
- Bleday R. Patient information: Hemorrhoids. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 16, 2008.
- Acheson AG, et al. Management of haemorrhoids. British Medical Journal. 2008;336:380.
- Bleday R, et al. Clinical features of hemorrhoids. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 17, 2008.
- Cataldo P, et al. Practice parameters for the management of hemorrhoids (revised). Diseases of the Colon and Rectum. 2005;48:189.
- Bleday R, et al. Treatment of hemorrhoids. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 17, 2008.
