You may have hemorrhoids if you experience some of the following signs and symptoms: Common symptoms of hemorrhoids include:
- Bright red blood on your stool, toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement, often painless if internal hemorrhoids
- Itching or irritation around the anus
- Discomfort or pain around the anus, especially when sitting or during bowel movements (more common with external or prolapsed hemorrhoids)
- Swelling, lumps, or hard tender bumps near the anus, which may be visible or felt
- Mucus discharge or a feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation
- Prolapse of hemorrhoids: a lump that protrudes outside the anus during bowel movements which may retract on its own or need to be pushed back in
- Thrombosed hemorrhoids can cause sudden, severe pain and appear as blue or purple lumps near the anus
How to confirm if you have hemorrhoids:
- A physical examination of the anus and rectum by a healthcare provider can identify swollen blood vessels
- A digital rectal exam (insertion of a lubricated finger into the rectum) helps detect abnormalities
- Anoscopy or proctoscopy (using a lighted tube to view inside the anus and rectum) can confirm internal hemorrhoids
- In some cases, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy may be recommended to rule out other causes of rectal bleeding like colorectal cancer
When to see a doctor:
- If you notice rectal bleeding, persistent pain, or symptoms lasting more than a week despite home treatment, you should seek medical evaluation to confirm the diagnosis and exclude other serious conditions
In summary, if you have rectal bleeding, anal itching, pain, swelling, or lumps around your anus, these are signs that you might have hemorrhoids. A healthcare provider can diagnose hemorrhoids through physical exams and specialized tests to ensure proper treatment
