Hemorrhoids can be embarrassing to talk about. In fact, embarrassment is one of the biggest reasons only four percent of patients actually talk to a doctor about symptoms.
USA Hemorrhoid Centers understands how uncomfortable a situation may be when hemorrhoids are involved. As a highly accredited hemorrhoid treatment center, we prioritize high-quality, patient-centered care. When hemorrhoids flare up and persist for weeks, we offer a minimally invasive treatment that can help patients find relief from bleeding, swelling, and itching symptoms.
While it may be uncomfortable to talk about persistent hemorrhoids with your doctor, you might be surprised to learn you’re in good company. Many notable people in history have dealt with hemorrhoids, and some have elected to undergo medical procedures to treat their symptoms. From iconic Hollywood actors to renowned historical figures and modern celebrities, hemorrhoids can affect just about anyone. Below are examples of celebrities and famous people who had hemorrhoids.
George Brett
The former third baseman for the Kansas City Royals made national headlines in 1980 after hemorrhoids affected his ability to play during the World Series. He only missed one game to undergo a minor surgical treatment before returning to the plate.
Elizabeth Taylor
The late actress, well known for her portrayal as Cleopatra, was frequently admitted to hospitals for a variety of conditions, including hemorrhoids, according to the Tampa Bay Times and San Francisco Examiner.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon I allegedly felt ill during the Battle of Waterloo due to a case of thrombosed hemorrhoids, according to a 1988 article published in the scientific journal “Diseases of the Colon and Rectum.” In fact, hemorrhoids were recognized as an ailment and have long troubled even the most formidable figures in history.
Today, we understand that thrombosed hemorrhoids are the result of a blood clot inside the hemorrhoid. This can cause severe pain, swelling, and inflammation that may lead to infection if untreated.
Gerald R. Ford
The former U.S. president occasionally dealt with hemorrhoids, as reported in his physical exam from 1972, which is publicly available online. According to the document, his hemorrhoid symptoms worsened during “exertional activities,” which can be identified as intensive and exhaustive physical exercise. Heavy lifting is known to exacerbate hemorrhoid symptoms.
Jimmy Carter
Time Magazine reported in 1979 that the late former U.S. president was “plagued” by hemorrhoids. One flareup in particular caused the administration to cancel former president Carter’s schedule so he could focus on treatment. He underwent a handful of procedures, including rubber band ligation, in which a doctor uses a special tool that wraps a rubber band around internal hemorrhoids. While this cuts off circulation and causes the hemorrhoid to shrink and fall off, the recovery period can be painful and may not prevent symptoms from returning.
Leslie Jones
The SNL alum was public about her struggle with chronic hemorrhoids and revealed details about her recovery from hemorrhoid surgery in her memoir. During her recovery, she developed a complication that caused the muscles in her rectum to spasm. This complication is common after hemorrhoid surgery and can persist for weeks.
Noah Kahan
The folk-pop singer and songwriter shared his struggle with hemorrhoids on social media and started a campaign to reduce the stigma associated with the condition. In an interview with Australian podcaster Smallzy, he mentions that his hemorrhoids flare up due to a lack of fiber and prolonged sitting on airplanes and tour buses.
A low-fiber diet and prolonged sitting are risk factors for symptomatic hemorrhoids. Additional risk factors for hemorrhoids include chronic constipation or diarrhea, obesity, age, genetics, and pregnancy.
Pauly D
The MTV star and DJ had a health scare related to hemorrhoids during the filming of “Jersey Shore Family Vacation” in 2023. In a reflective moment in the episode, he had a hemorrhoid that ruptured, and he lost so much blood that he needed to be taken to the hospital.
Ruptured hemorrhoids are often caused by too much pressure on thrombosed external hemorrhoids. The pressure can cause the skin around the hemorrhoid to break, making the hemorrhoid more prone to bleeding and infection.
How Modern Medicine Changed Hemorrhoid Care
While rubber band ligation and more invasive hemorrhoid surgeries are still performed today, hemorrhoid treatment has come a long way. USA Hemorrhoid Centers offers a minimally invasive treatment called hemorrhoid artery embolization (HAE) to treat internal hemorrhoids by reducing blood flow to the affected area. Using X-ray imaging, tiny particles are guided through a catheter into the arteries supplying blood to the hemorrhoid. This reduces blood flow to the hemorrhoid, causing it to shrink and reduce bleeding. The procedure is painless, and multiple studies have confirmed HAE’s effectiveness with a clinical success rate of over 97 percent.
Contact USA Hemorrhoid Centers
It’s important to seek medical attention if you’re experiencing persistent hemorrhoid symptoms despite self-care measures. With over 25 locations in the U.S. endorsed by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), USA Hemorrhoid Centers provides high-quality, patient-centered hemorrhoid care that values safety and comfort.
Patients can either schedule their appointment online or by calling our toll-free number. Once the appointment is scheduled, patients can verify their health insurance to ensure their visit is covered. USA Hemorrhoid Centers participates with most major health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid.
Relief can start with a click. Schedule your appointment today.
