With the physical toll stress can have on the body, many people want to know if it’s possible that stress can cause hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins located within the anus or rectum that can cause discomfort, itching, or bleeding. They are typically classified as either or hemorrhoids.
While stress doesn’t directly cause hemorrhoids, it can make them worse. By affecting digestion, bowel habits, and inflammation, stress often intensifies pre-existing hemorrhoid symptoms, especially for internal hemorrhoids. Understanding the connection between stress and hemorrhoids can help you recognize when it’s time to seek treatment from a specialist.
The Link Between Hemorrhoids and Stress
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Does stress affect hemorrhoids?”, the answer is that while stress doesn’t directly cause hemorrhoids, it can make them significantly worse.
Chronic stress disrupts normal digestive health and bowel regularity, which are major contributors to hemorrhoid flare-ups.
Here is how hemorrhoids and stress are connected:
- Changes in bowel habits: Stress can lead to constipation or diarrhea, which irritates hemorrhoidal veins.
- Increased inflammation: Dealing with stress increases inflammation in the body, making hemorrhoids more painful or swollen.
- Stress-related Habits: Poor habits, such as prolonged sitting or diet, can further exacerbate hemorrhoids.
Ultimately, chronic stress continually strains the digestive system. Internal hemorrhoids are especially affected by bowel habits and rectal pressure since they form from weak rectal veins caused by persistent straining or pressure.
How Stress Affects Hemorrhoid Symptoms
Stress can intensify the symptoms of hemorrhoids, regardless of their type. In fact, one of the most overlooked stress-related hemorrhoid causes is how stress can disrupt healthy bathroom routines and increase rectal pressure. By disrupting bathroom routines and altering stool consistency, stress creates a cycle that can worsen hemorrhoids over time.
Other ways stress impacts hemorrhoid symptoms include:
- Intensifying bleeding, prolapse, or rectal pressure
- Causing harder stools that lead to more straining
- Increasing awareness of discomfort and pain
Stress and the digestive system are deeply interconnected through a complex network known as the gut-brain axis. This connection can manifest in a variety of digestive symptoms, including nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, or constipation. When you are stressed, your body also tenses up, which can increase pressure in the rectal area.
- Internal hemorrhoids are especially sensitive to digestive changes caused by stress. They are more likely to prolapse (push out of the rectum) or bleed when bathroom habits are irregular.
- External hemorrhoids, on the other hand, may swell further or even become thrombosed (develop painful clots) during stressful periods.
Common Internal Hemorrhoid Symptoms Worsened by Stress
Not only is it common to wonder, “Can stress cause hemorrhoids?” but also what symptoms indicate that stress is one of the hemorrhoid causes.
Below are a few of the symptoms that are common with internal hemorrhoids and often worsen during stressful times:
- Bleeding during or after bowel movements
- A feeling of fullness in the rectum
- Prolapse during straining
- Mucus discharge or mild fecal leakage
Stress often contributes to these issues by making constipation worse or delaying healthy bathroom habits. Since stress and hemorrhoids can have such a profound impact on daily life, when these symptoms start appearing, it is a good time to consult a specialist about treatment.
Meet with A Hemorrhoid Specialist
When to See a Specialist for Internal Hemorrhoids
It is important to see a hemorrhoid specialist for a diagnosis if you experience any of the following:
- Persistent Rectal Bleeding: Any rectal bleeding that lasts more than a few days, is heavy, or is accompanied by other serious symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor to rule out other, more serious conditions.
- Ongoing Symptoms: If you have continued rectal pressure, discomfort, or a prolapsed hemorrhoid that interferes with your daily activities, it’s a clear sign that you need professional medical attention.
- Symptoms that Impact Your Life: If hemorrhoid symptoms are significantly affecting your quality of life, a specialist can provide more effective and lasting treatment options.
An early and accurate diagnosis provides access to a broader range of effective non-surgical hemorrhoid treatments, such as hemorrhoid artery embolization (HAE).
Treatment for Persistent Internal Hemorrhoids
One advanced treatment is hemorrhoid artery embolization (HAE). An interventional radiologist performs this non-surgical procedure. It works by targeting the arteries supplying blood to internal hemorrhoids, so that they shrink and relieve symptoms. The minimally invasive approach is performed on an outpatient basis and often leads to a faster recovery with no hospital stay.
A few of the benefits of HAE treatment for hemorrhoids include:
- No cutting, stitches, or removal of tissue
- Less pain compared to traditional surgery
- Quick recovery and return to normal activities
- Long-lasting symptom relief
Regain Your Comfort Today
While stress and hemorrhoids are not directly connected, if you are experiencing chronic stress alongside persistent internal hemorrhoid symptoms, consult a specialist before symptoms get even worse. USA Hemorrhoid Centers’ nationwide interventional radiologists can help you find lasting relief from hemorrhoid symptoms with our advanced, non-surgical solutions.