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How to avoid hemorrhoid bleeding?
Last reviewed: 08.07.2025

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Hemorrhoids can develop inside the rectum or protrude outside the body. Hemorrhoids are the result of swelling in the anus or rectum, explains FamilyDoctor.org. This condition often causes constipation, frequent diarrhea, and pressure on the abdominal and intestinal areas. Symptoms include pain, itching, and bleeding. How to Avoid Bleeding from Hemorrhoids?
Constipation
Constipation can cause hemorrhoids by developing due to straining and hard stools. Once hemorrhoids have already started to develop, constipation can irritate the tissues and cause bleeding. The veins become very sensitive, and further straining and passing hard stools through the rectum can tear the skin, allowing the veins to bleed.
Diarrhea
Frequent diarrhea can irritate the skin around the anus, especially if hemorrhoids develop quickly. Once hemorrhoids have developed, they only make it worse for the skin to crack and bleed. Doctors explain that when a person has a bowel movement, the body pushes blood into the rectal area to activate the digestive system. This increases the amount of blood coming through the veins. The blood is close to the surface of the veins, making even the smallest cracks bleed quite profusely.
Itching
Hemorrhoids often cause itching. Many natural remedies are helpful in reducing this discomfort. Wiping the anus with the wrong type of rough paper after a bowel movement or scratching the hemorrhoid area can cause the skin to break, which in turn leads to bleeding.
Weakening of tissues
BleedingHemorrhoids.org writes that poor posture, weakened rectal vein walls, and poor muscle tone are possible causes of bleeding from hemorrhoids. Pregnancy and excess weight can cause weakening of the tissues in the rectal area. This can make it harder for hemorrhoids to heal because the contractions of the rectum are weakened. When veins become swollen, such as from pressure on the intestines due to excess weight, bleeding can occur quite quickly.
Exercises
While some types of exercise can make hemorrhoids worse and should be avoided, moderate and regular exercise is actually the most important preventative measure to protect against hemorrhoids and treat symptoms that already exist.
Physical activity reduces pressure on the rectal veins by increasing blood flow, which can strengthen the veins and reduce inflammation. Exercise can also help you lose excess weight, which can be a cause of hemorrhoids. Doctors recommend swimming, running, yoga, walking, and aerobics to relieve hemorrhoids.
Cycling and horseback riding, which increase pressure on the rectal area, should be avoided. Heavy exercise can also worsen hemorrhoids, especially if you hold your breath when lifting, which puts pressure on the diaphragm, and in turn, the abdomen and rectal veins.
Foods to Help Avoid Bleeding Certain foods in your diet can contribute to bleeding and discomfort from hemorrhoids. Coffee and other high-caffeine drinks are the most common dietary supplements that contribute to hemorrhoid discomfort. In addition to hydration, caffeine acts as a laxative, causing bowel movements to occur only when artificially stimulated. This can cause constipation or loose stools, which are so annoying to a person.
Alcohol consumption also worsens the symptoms associated with hemorrhoids. Alcohol dehydrates the body, leaving little fluid to lubricate the tissues, adding pressure to the inflamed areas, which can lead to straining during bowel movements. Other foods, such as nuts, red peppers, and mustard, also contribute to bleeding from hemorrhoids. These foods are only partially absorbed through the colon.
You can help prevent irritation and painful symptoms of hemorrhoids.
Avoid constipation
- Include fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains in your diet every day. These are high-fiber foods.
- Drink plenty of fluids, enough so that your urine is light yellow or clear like water.
- Do manageable exercise every day. Try to do moderate-intensity exercise for at least 2 ½ hours per week. Or try to do vigorous activity for at least 1 ¼ hours per week. It’s important to do the exercise in active blocks of 10 minutes or more throughout the day and week.
- Include extra fiber in your diet, such as Citrucel or Metamucil, and take it every day if needed. Start with small doses and increase the dose very slowly over a month or more. Schedule and schedule a specific time to have a bowel movement each day. This can help you have a bowel movement without problems. Don't rush or strain when you have a bowel movement.
Practicing Healthy Gut Habits
- Go to the toilet as soon as you feel like it, don't hold it in.
- Avoid straining when you have a bowel movement. Relax and give yourself time to let things happen naturally.
- Avoid holding your breath while passing stool through the rectum.
- Avoid reading while sitting on the toilet. Leave the toilet as soon as you are finished.
- Change your daily activities
- Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time. Take frequent short walks.
- If possible, avoid lifting heavy objects frequently. If your job requires you to lift heavy objects, always exhale when lifting the object. Do not hold your breath when you lift something.
- If you are pregnant, you should sleep on your side - this will reduce the pressure on the blood vessels in the pelvic area. This may help reduce the occurrence of hemorrhoids.
Treatment of bleeding from hemorrhoids
According to Dr. Lawrence J. Brandt, a professor of medicine and surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, minor cases of bleeding from internal hemorrhoids usually respond to stool lubricants and softeners, such as mineral oil and docusate sodium. Your doctor may also recommend laxatives to promote moist, more regular stools, sitz baths containing magnesium sulfate, zinc oxide creams, medicated wipes, and medicated suppositories.
In severe cases, endoscopic procedures or rubber band ligation may be required. You can treat pain and swelling with over-the-counter analgesics unless you have circumstances that preclude their use. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe a narcotic pain reliever.
Medical care for bleeding
Talk to your doctor if your hemorrhoids are causing severe pain or frequent or excessive bleeding. MayoClinic.com warns that you should see a doctor immediately if your stool is black or purple-red or has tarry streaks. These symptoms may indicate bleeding in your digestive tract. If you experience excessive rectal bleeding, dizziness, or weakness, seek emergency medical care.