How Long Do Hemorrhoids Last? How to Treat Them Naturally?

by Dr. Mark Williams, MD · Published January 24, 2018 · Updated January 24, 2018

Some people find their most relaxing time of the day is when they go to use the restroom. Usually, they will find immediate relief, but if you spend too much time in there or have a preexisting condition, this might not be very enjoyable.

You may be experiencing the disease known as hemorrhoids which are the swelling of veins in and around the anus. The people who are 50 and over are most susceptible hemorrhoids.

You may be asking how long do hemorrhoids last and how long do hemorrhoids last if untreated, both of these and much more will be answered here.

What Are Hemorrhoids? How Long Do They Take to Go Away?

Having hemorrhoids will make sitting and bowel movements an uncomfortable time. What are they though? Hemorrhoids are swollen veins around your anus or lower rectum. These can be either internal or external. Internal hemorrhoids are inside of the rectum.

External are outside of the anal opening. How long do hemorrhoids last? This varies on the severity of the case and can be anywhere from a few days to months.

How long do they take to go away? Depending on your situation it might be a few days, or it could potentially be drawn out in weeks. The unfortunate thing is that every single hemorrhoid case is different.

Many different external factors play a crucial role in how long your symptoms will last and how severe they will be. Some people can be affected worse due to their genetics, poor hygiene, and eating habits.

Almost everyone afflicted with hemorrhoids would like to know just how long they need to deal with this issue. But, there is no universal answer for it.

How Long Do Hemorrhoids Last

Proper treatment of your hemorrhoids will expedite the healing and have you feeling better sooner. You can also try out home remedies to help alleviate your symptoms faster.

If your symptoms are indeed severe and you experience hemorrhoid bleeding that persists for long durations of time, seek medical attention right away.

You do not want to worsen the condition by just ignoring the problem. This can only make your hemorrhoids last longer and make sitting more uncomfortable.

How Long Do Hemorrhoids Last If Untreated?

Various environmental factors can cause you to develop hemorrhoids. One of them being pregnancy, these hemorrhoids are the most difficult to have and to leave untreated due to their nature.

Hemorrhoids healing period

They will, however, go away once the pressure is relieved through childbirth. The severity of other hemorrhoids caused due to poor diet and hygiene range from mild to severe.

The problem may be easy to ignore if you are experiencing mild symptoms. You may be wondering “how long do hemorrhoids last and how long can hemorrhoids last?” This answer is varying based on the severity of your hemorrhoids and what is causing them.

They could last from one to two days or months at a time. How long does it take for hemorrhoid to shrink? The small and mild external cases should clear themselves up within a few days of discovering them, but if they do not, you should seek medical help.

The more severe prolapsed internal hemorrhoids will take significantly longer to heal. These can choose from a couple of weeks to a month to go away. However, some types of hemorrhoids may need medical procedures for complete recovery.

These could take up to 6 weeks to heal after the procedure. To help them become a non-issue faster, shorten your time spent sitting on the toilet. This will help stop the pressure build-up in the anal region and fix them more quickly.

How Long Does Hemorrhoids Bleed?

With the veins in and around the anus area swelling, you may experience bleeding.

This is due to hemorrhoid bursting after too much pressure builds up there. How long do hemorrhoids can vary on the severity of your case and if this is the first time they have burst.

The bleeding can be helped by using a moist towel instead of tissue paper, or you can also take a warm bath. Placing an ice bag on your anus will also reduce some of the swellings in that area.

If the bleeding continues even after trying these methods, then the condition is probably severe than you previously thought.

If bleeding persists, medical attention should be sought out as you may require surgery to stop the flow. Be aware of when the bleeding begins and ends as this will help to determine how well the hemorrhoids are healing and if other treatments can be utilized.

Also, pay attention to the coloration of the blood itself. A vibrant red color, like normal cuts, is better to see. This means that the burst is fresh and happening right then.

If the blood is pink or brown, then the burst may have happened previously and is just leaking out. You will want to go to your doctor if you find the second color as this could be the sign of a severe case.

How Long Do Hemorrhoids Last Pregnancy?

Being pregnant is a very stressful part of a female’s life. Growing another human being inside of the womb is not an easy job, and there is pressure put on almost all of the vital organs and areas in her body. One of which, unfortunately, is the rectum.

Pregnancy causes the mother to use the restroom more often than usual which inherently will put more pressure on the rectum.

This buildup of pressure will eventually cause some hemorrhoids to develop either internally or externally. How long do hemorrhoids last pregnancy?

Usually, the mother will see relief from this discomfort after the child is born. There will be significantly less pressure put on the rectum, and the area can begin to rejuvenate itself.

Do Hemorrhoids Go Away on Their Own?

How long do hemorrhoids last? Something that is running through the minds of everyone who suffers from this disease.

The smaller the hemorrhoid, the faster they will go away and the more likely that they will go away on their own. Several home remedies can help speed up this process and bring you relief sooner.

There are circumstances that will prevent the hemorrhoids from going away on their own.

Do external hemorrhoids go away on their own? These are the ones that are easier to relieve yourself of than the internal ones. By making simple modifications to your daily life, they will become less swollen and eventually fix themselves.

How long do hemorrhoids last? Some hemorrhoids may require medical attention if they do not go away within 7-10 days. This is due to the possibility of the condition getting worse or requiring any medical procedure.

The procedures are usually straightforward and quick, but they do require some recovery time. If any hemorrhoids you have do not go away, it is essential to seek out medical attention.

You do not want your hemorrhoid issue to worsen and develop into a chronic issue.

The affected area may also spread and grow which will result in more discomfort when sitting or trying to pass a bowel movement.

Will Hemorrhoids Return?

Yes, hemorrhoids can return. There is no definitive research on the recurrence of this condition, but unfortunately, they can return.

If you continue to eat poorly and have poor hygiene, you are at a higher risk for them to come back. How long do hemorrhoids last? There is also no evidence stating the second time and subsequent times are worse than the first, but finding out is not fun either.

Changing your daily diet and habits will help prevent this recurrence. Shortening your time in the bathroom passing bowel movements is a key piece of the condition coming back or not.

Unfortunately, the hemorrhoids can return, but luckily, they are preventable.

Effective Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids treatment infograph

How to make hemorrhoids go away fast. There are plenty of things that you can do in your own home to help relieve your hemorrhoids symptoms.

You will not need to seek out your doctor is the disease is mild. Seek out medical assistance to make sure that you can do some of the home remedies, or if the hemorrhoids worsen.

Listed below are some of those treatments:

1. Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel is an herb that has anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it an excellent natural remedy for treating the hemorrhoids. The main ingredient is the tannins which contract the skin cells.

This reduces both swelling and bleeding. This is a remedy that can help hemorrhoids heal quicker and get immediate relief from the itching. Soak a cotton ball in witch hazel and apply to your anus after a bowel movement.

2. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a plant that grows in the arid climates. Inside of its long and thick leaves is a goo that has soothing qualities to it. Applying this to your anus can help relieve the hemorrhoids you have.

The gel has anti-inflammatory properties and can calm the itchy areas. It has been proven to be a better anti-inflammatory agent than hydrocortisone cream.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

Raw, unprocessed apple cider vinegar can help reduce the time hemorrhoids last. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that will decrease the amount of swelling and itchiness in your anus.

Dilute the apple cider vinegar with equal part water and apple cider vinegar. Soak the mixture in a cotton ball and apply to your anal area for quick relief. Use this remedy after every time you use the bathroom.

4. Cold Compress

This may be the simplest way to alleviate your hemorrhoids. Cold helps reduce the amount of swelling and will also stop the itching.

Apply a cold compress or ice pack to your anus to reduce swollen areas. You will get symptomatic relief from hemorrhoid discomfort and make them go away sooner.

How to Prevention Hemorrhoids?

Preventing hemorrhoids is quite easy once you know a little bit about what caused them.

Eating the right amount of high fiber foods is a good first step. It will keep your bowel movements flowing quickly and smoothly. Eating high fiber foods will also help reduce the amount of time you spend sitting on the toilet.

Exercising regularly keeps your bowel movements on a regular schedule.

Reducing the weight can help lower the pressure on the veins in your rectum and anus. Sitting on the toilet for less time can relieve the pressure on your rectum and anus.

If you’re wondering how long do hemorrhoids last or how long hemorrhoids take to go away, then the answer to this question depends on your condition.

By making changes in your diet and routine, you will find yourself hemorrhoid free.

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