What causes haemorrhoids?

Haemorrhoids are swollen veins and supporting tissue inside the rectum or under the skin around the anus. Hard stools, pushing during bowel movements, frequent diarrhoea and spending a long time on the toilet can increase pressure. Extra pressure in the abdomen, including during pregnancy or with obesity, can also contribute. Internal haemorrhoids may bleed, while external ones can be painful or tender.

Keep stools soft by drinking enough fluid, eating fibre-rich foods and responding promptly to the urge to open your bowels. Avoid straining and long toilet sessions. Gentle cleaning, warm baths and short-term pharmacy treatments may ease discomfort; ask a pharmacist which option suits you, particularly if you are pregnant or take blood-thinning medicine.

Seek urgent help for heavy or ongoing rectal bleeding, dizziness, fainting, severe pain, fever or a painful swelling that appears suddenly. Arrange assessment for repeated bleeding, a change in bowel habit, unexplained weight loss, or symptoms that do not settle, because rectal bleeding has causes other than haemorrhoids.

Ask whether your symptoms fit haemorrhoids, how to soften stools safely, and whether constipation, medicines or obesity may be adding pressure.