Can Hemorrhoids Cause Constipation?

How Hemorrhoids and Constipation Are Connected

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum and anus. They can become irritated during a bowel movement, especially when stool is hard or a person strains to pass it.

Pain or bleeding from internal hemorrhoids may cause a person to delay going to the bathroom. Putting off a bowel movement can allow stool to harden further, which makes constipation worse rather than better.

Large or prolapsed hemorrhoids can partially block the anal canal, adding to the sense of straining during bowel movements and making a bowel movement feel incomplete or difficult.

Can Constipation Cause Hemorrhoids?

Yes. Straining to pass hard, dry stool increases pressure on the veins in the rectum and anus, which is one of the most common causes of hemorrhoids in the first place.

This creates a two-way relationship: constipation leads to straining, straining can lead to hemorrhoids, and hemorrhoid pain can then lead to more constipation as bowel movements are delayed.

More on Hemorrhoid Symptoms

Signs You May Have Internal Hemorrhoids Causing Constipation

Internal hemorrhoids form inside the rectum, so they usually cannot be seen or felt from the outside. Common signs include:

• Bright red blood on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement
• A feeling of fullness or pressure in the rectum, sometimes described as bowel discomfort, even after passing stool
• Itching, irritation, or mucus discharge around the anus
• A soft lump that protrudes during a bowel movement, known as a prolapsed hemorrhoid

How to Relieve Constipation With Hemorrhoids

Several everyday changes may help ease both constipation and hemorrhoid symptoms at the same time:

• Increase fiber intake gradually through fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes
• Drink more water throughout the day to help soften stool
• Avoid sitting on the toilet for long periods and respond promptly when you feel the urge to go
• Add regular, gentle activity such as walking to support healthy digestion
• Consider an over-the-counter stool softener if recommended by a doctor
• Try a warm sitz bath to ease discomfort so bowel movements feel less painful

When to See a Hemorrhoid Specialist

Home care helps many people, but some symptoms call for a medical evaluation:

• Symptoms that last longer than one week despite consistent home care
• Bleeding that is heavy, persistent, or comes with weakness or unexplained weight loss
• A prolapsed hemorrhoid that does not go back in on its own
• Constipation that does not improve with fiber, fluids, and activity changes

Can USA Hemorrhoid Centers Help?

An experienced specialist can evaluate whether hemorrhoids, ongoing constipation, or another condition is behind your symptoms. USA Hemorrhoid Centers offers Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization (HAE), a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that may help reduce hemorrhoid symptoms without surgery. Treatment is personalized based on the grade and severity of the hemorrhoids present.