HealthInfo Canterbury
Treating haemorrhoids (piles)
Te whakarauora i te tero puta
There are surgical and non-surgical methods of treating haemorrhoids.
Non-surgical treatments
Your haemorrhoids could go away without surgery by trying these options:
- avoiding constipation and straining on the toilet
- drinking plenty of fluids
- eating fibre to keep your poo soft
- going to the toilet as soon as you get the urge.
If these measures don't work, you may need to use a cream or ointment. You can use a simple soothing cream such as Anusol which contains zinc. You can buy this over the counter at your pharmacy.
Your general practice team may prescribe something that helps reduce inflammation and reduces pain in your anal area. This could be a cream that you can apply on the outside or insert into your anus with an applicator. It could also be a suppository that you insert into your anus. You may need to use these for a week or so.
If you have ongoing problems, your general practice team may refer you to a surgeon for further treatment.
Surgical treatments
Having surgery involves some risks but these are usually outweighed by the benefits. Your surgeon will discuss the likely risks with you.
There are three options for surgical treatment.
Sclerotherapy
A substance is injected into the base of the haemorrhoid. This causes a reaction in the tissue and cuts off the blood supply to the haemorrhoid. This is a common way to treat internal haemorrhoids.
Banding
A rubber band is placed around the base of the haemorrhoid causing the blood supply to be cut off. This causes it to shrivel and fall off. It's a common treatment for internal haemorrhoids that bleed or hang down outside the anus and is usually done in the clinic without local anaesthetic.
Haemorrhoidectomy
The haemorrhoids are cut away and the bleeding vein is sealed with a source of heat. This is carried out under general anaesthetic, which means you'll be unconscious during the procedure and will not feel any pain. It's an effective treatment but can be painful in the days following the operation. You'll go home the same day as your surgery.
Some surgeons prefer one procedure over another. You'll need to talk to your surgeon to see which method they recommend for your situation.
Self-care after a haemorrhoidectomy
After your surgery, you'll feel some discomfort, so you'll need to take regular pain relief. Having a regular warm salt bath will help soothe and cleanse the wound – especially after passing a bowel motion.
Other things to consider as you recover:
- drink plenty of fluids to reduce the chance of becoming constipated
- eat a well-balanced diet high in fibre to keep your poo soft
- avoid heavy lifting or exercise for at least a week
- avoid straining when passing a bowel motion – laxatives could help.
It can take six to eight weeks to heal completely after a haemorrhoidectomy. During this time, any swelling and pain in the area will go away.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2022.
SourcesReview key: HIHAE-13803
