Will Hemorrhoids Go Away on Their Own?

Hemorrhoids, or piles, are a common problem. They’re formed when blood collects in the blood vessels around the rectum and anus, and cause swelling and inflammation. Hemorrhoids can be uncomfortable and downright painful. Most people want to get rid of them as fast as possible. 

But do you actually need to do anything to get rid of a hemorrhoid? Or will your hemorrhoid go away on its own? 

Do hemorrhoids disappear on their own? 

Yes, most hemorrhoids go away on their own even if you do nothing about them. 

On the flip side, some hemorrhoids won’t go away by themselves. You can’t always tell which type of hemorrhoid you have when your hemorrhoid first appears. That’s because whether a hemorrhoid goes away on its own depends on several factors, including what type of hemorrhoid you have. 

There are two kinds of hemorrhoids: internal and external. 

Internal hemorrhoids develop inside the rectum and cannot be seen or touched easily. They bleed but aren’t always painful. Sometimes they protrude outside of the anus. These are called prolapsed hemorrhoids. 

External hemorrhoids develop outside the anus and can be seen and touched. These are often painful and itchy. 

Both internal and external hemorrhoids can go away on their own. Hemorrhoids go away when the blood trapped inside them drains back into the main blood vessels. This causes hemorrhoids to shrink. You can tell the blood is draining because your hemorrhoids won’t be as painful or itchy. They also stop bleeding. 

Hemorrhoids may not get better on their own if the blood can’t drain out. This can happen with prolapsed internal hemorrhoids and thrombosed external hemorrhoids. 

Prolapsed internal hemorrhoids can get stuck outside the anus, which keeps the blood trapped inside the hemorrhoid. Blood can also get stuck inside external hemorrhoids when the blood forms a clot. This is called a thrombosed external hemorrhoid.

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• Get instant relief at home. Looking for hemorrhoid treatments that you can use at home? Here are ways to get quick relief.

• Try hemorrhoid creams, too. You can add over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams to home remedies for extra relief.  

• Avoid foods that irritate hemorrhoids. What you eat can make your hemorrhoids worse, avoid these foods during a hemorrhoid flare.

How long does it take for hemorrhoids to go away?

Most hemorrhoids start to drain and shrink on their own within a few days. They are usually better within a week. 

Hemorrhoids are more likely to heal within a week if:

• They are smaller. Smaller hemorrhoids will drain faster than larger ones.  

• They aren’t irritated. Constipation and certain foods can irritate your hemorrhoids. Avoiding things that can irritate your hemorrhoids can help them heal faster. This includes treating constipation so you don’t strain when you go to the bathroom and eating fiber. 

• They aren’t blocked. Prolapsed internal hemorrhoids and thrombosed external hemorrhoids may heal on their own. But this can take longer than a week. 

• They’re treated. Treatment can help speed up healing. Over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams and at-home treatments can relieve symptoms and help your hemorrhoids drain faster.  

Can hemorrhoids be permanent? 

Yes, some hemorrhoids become permanent if the blood can’t drain out of them. That’s why it’s important to get medical care if:

• Your hemorrhoid symptoms aren’t better within a week.

• You have any bleeding when you go to the bathroom.

• You have severe pain and tenderness around your anus.

These are signs that blood can be trapped. A colorectal surgeon or gastroenterologist can treat hemorrhoids in their office. These treatments allow blood to drain out so that your hemorrhoids can shrink down. Treatment will also relieve pain, bleeding and other symptoms. 

The doctor can also check to make sure your symptoms aren’t from another medical condition. It’s important to keep in mind that more serious medical conditions, like inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer, can also cause bleeding. It’s important to make sure your symptoms really are from hemorrhoids and not something else.

Keep in mind that hemorrhoids can come back. Another benefit of getting medical care is that healthcare professionals can offer treatments to lower the chances of hemorrhoids coming back. 

How can you help hemorrhoids go away faster? 

You can speed up hemorrhoid healing with at-home treatments like:

• Witch hazel wipes and suppositories: Witch hazel helps shrink hemorrhoids. You can find witch hazel products in grocery stores and retail pharmacies. Store suppositories in the freezer to avoid messy melting. 

• Lidocaine: Lidocaine creams are available at retail pharmacies and grocery stores. They relieve pain, but will not shrink your hemorrhoid. 

• Sitz baths: Sitz baths help stimulate blood flow out of hemorrhoids. You can use warm water alone or add Epsom salts for added relief. 

• Black tea compresses: Black tea contains tannins that can help shrink hemorrhoids. To make a black tea compress, steep the tea bag in warm water for a few minutes. Squeeze out excess fluid and apply the tea bag when still warm, but not hot, to your hemorrhoid for 10-15 minutes, then discard the bag. Repeat up to three times daily. 

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Written by:

Inga Johannesson, DO

Dr. Johannesson is a licensed, board-certified internal medicine physician with more than 20 years of clinical experience. She started her medical career combining hospital and critical care medicine with outpatient-based clinical practice and nursing home care.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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