Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAre They Contagious?CausesSymptomsTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Are They Contagious?
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment
Read on to learn more about why hemorrhoids occur and how to treat them.
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Are Hemorrhoids Contagious?
Hemorrhoids are not contagious.
However, symptoms of hemorrhoids can be similar to those of other conditions, some of whicharecontagious (such asgenital warts). It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis when experiencing symptoms of hemorrhoids.
What Causes Hemorrhoids?
Some factors that can make hemorrhoids more likely to develop include:
Age can also play a factor. The connective tissues that support hemorrhoids often weaken with age, and are less efficient at holding hemorrhoids in place. This can cause them to bulge and prolapse.
Some studies suggest people with hemorrhoids tend to have tighter than average smooth muscle of the anal canal.Combined with constipation, this can increase straining during bowel movements and potentially lead to hemorrhoids.
What External Hemorrhoids Look Like and How to Get Rid of Them
Symptoms of Hemorrhoids
Symptomsdepend on the type, location, and severity of hemorrhoids.
External hemorrhoids occur under the skin near the anal opening. Internal hemorrhoids form inside the lining of the lower rectum, above the anal opening, but may prolapse (come down out of the anus).
Internal Hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids are classified into four categories:
The most common symptom of first-degree internal hemorrhoids is bright red bleeding (usually painless) found on toilet paper, in the toilet bowl water, orcoating the outside of stool.
Other symptoms that can occur, particularly with prolapse, include:
What Are Prolapsed Hemorrhoids?
External Hemorrhoids
Symptoms of external hemorrhoids include:
Occasionally, an external hemorrhoid will develop a blood clot, called athrombosis.Thrombosed hemorrhoidscan cause sudden pain and appear bluish in color. They usually get better on their own within a few days as the clot is reabsorbed, but in some cases the clot needs to be removed.
How Common Are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoid Treatment
Most hemorrhoids get better on their own or with at-home treatment, including:
Over-the-countertopical hemorrhoid treatmentsmay offer some relief temporarily, but have not been studied for long-term safety and effectiveness. They may include ingredients such as:
Always check with a healthcare provider before using hemorrhoid treatments.
Treatments for More Severe Hemorrhoids
If hemorrhoids are more severe, complicated, or are not responding to treatment, medical procedures may be needed.
In-office medical procedures cause scar tissue to form, which cuts off blood supply to the hemorrhoid, often causing it to shrink. These procedures include:
Surgical proceduresare also options. These are typically done using anesthesia, with the person going home the same day. They include:
Summary
Hemorrhoids are not contagious, but symptoms can be similar to other contagious conditions, so an accurate diagnosis is needed.
Most hemorrhoid symptoms, such as bleeding, pain, and itching, go away on their own or with at-home treatments. Hemorrhoids that are more serious or resistant to treatment may need medical procedures or surgery.
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked Questions
Hemorrhoids do not spread from person to person, nor to other parts of the body. Rarely can a hemorrhoidbecome infected. However, if not treated, it is possible for this infection to spread within the body.
Anal sex is not commonly noted as a cause for hemorrhoids, but hemorrhoids can make anal sex feel uncomfortable or painful. If you experience pain during anal intercourse, see your healthcare provider.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hemorrhoids.Mott T, Latimer K, Edwards C.Hemorrhoids: diagnosis and treatment options.AFP. 2018;97(3):172-179.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts of hemorrhoids.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Enlarged hemorrhoids: overview.Harvard Health.Hemorrhoids and what to do about them.American College of Gastroenterology.Common disorders of the anus and rectum.Sun Z, Migaly J.Review of hemorrhoid disease: presentation and management.Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery. 2016;29(01):022-029. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1568144National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of hemorrhoids.Gardner I.Benign anorectal disease: hemorrhoids, fissures, and fistulas.Annals of Gastroenterology. 2020;33:1-10. doi:10.20524/aog.2019.0438National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of hemorrhoids.Proctology Institute.Does anal sex cause hemorrhoids?.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hemorrhoids.Mott T, Latimer K, Edwards C.Hemorrhoids: diagnosis and treatment options.AFP. 2018;97(3):172-179.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts of hemorrhoids.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Enlarged hemorrhoids: overview.Harvard Health.Hemorrhoids and what to do about them.American College of Gastroenterology.Common disorders of the anus and rectum.Sun Z, Migaly J.Review of hemorrhoid disease: presentation and management.Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery. 2016;29(01):022-029. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1568144National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of hemorrhoids.Gardner I.Benign anorectal disease: hemorrhoids, fissures, and fistulas.Annals of Gastroenterology. 2020;33:1-10. doi:10.20524/aog.2019.0438National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of hemorrhoids.Proctology Institute.Does anal sex cause hemorrhoids?.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hemorrhoids.Mott T, Latimer K, Edwards C.Hemorrhoids: diagnosis and treatment options.AFP. 2018;97(3):172-179.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts of hemorrhoids.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Enlarged hemorrhoids: overview.Harvard Health.Hemorrhoids and what to do about them.American College of Gastroenterology.Common disorders of the anus and rectum.Sun Z, Migaly J.Review of hemorrhoid disease: presentation and management.Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery. 2016;29(01):022-029. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1568144National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of hemorrhoids.Gardner I.Benign anorectal disease: hemorrhoids, fissures, and fistulas.Annals of Gastroenterology. 2020;33:1-10. doi:10.20524/aog.2019.0438National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of hemorrhoids.Proctology Institute.Does anal sex cause hemorrhoids?.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hemorrhoids.
Mott T, Latimer K, Edwards C.Hemorrhoids: diagnosis and treatment options.AFP. 2018;97(3):172-179.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts of hemorrhoids.
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Enlarged hemorrhoids: overview.
Harvard Health.Hemorrhoids and what to do about them.
American College of Gastroenterology.Common disorders of the anus and rectum.
Sun Z, Migaly J.Review of hemorrhoid disease: presentation and management.Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery. 2016;29(01):022-029. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1568144
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of hemorrhoids.
Gardner I.Benign anorectal disease: hemorrhoids, fissures, and fistulas.Annals of Gastroenterology. 2020;33:1-10. doi:10.20524/aog.2019.0438
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of hemorrhoids.
Proctology Institute.Does anal sex cause hemorrhoids?.
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