Can Hemorrhoids Cause Constipation? What to Know
Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD
Hemorrhoids can contribute to constipation due to how hemorrhoidal symptoms change a person's bathroom habits. Hemorrhoids are veins in the rectum and anus that become inflamed and swollen. They can cause symptoms such as itching, pain, and bleeding.
Some people may have no symptoms at all, but others may find that hemorrhoids can be a difficult problem that negatively affects their life in many ways. Treatments often include home remedies such as increasing dietary fiber and over-the-counter (OTC) topical creams or ointments.
This article explains the connection between hemorrhoids and constipation, how hemorrhoids are treated, and tips on prevention.
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Understanding the Connection Between Hemorrhoids and Constipation
The link between hemorrhoids and constipation is not exactly a direct one. Hemorrhoids can contribute to the development of constipation, largely because people may change their bathroom habits, such as putting off having a bowel movement, in response to the symptoms of a hemorrhoid, such as pain from wiping.
Factors that could affect the development of constipation include:
Discomfort, pain, and anxiety around passing stools: Having a bowel movement can be painful when you have hemorrhoids. This could lead to ignoring the urge to go to the bathroom. Holding in stools can make them become harder and more difficult to pass.
Changes in diet: People who have hemorrhoids may change their diet in ways that lead to constipation. For example, eating less dietary fiber to avoid symptoms like bloating or gas could lead to stools that are more difficult to pass.
Swollen hemorrhoids: A swollen hemorrhoid could physically block the anus. It may be more difficult to pass a stool past this obstruction.
Straining on the toilet: Straining to have a bowel movement can lead to an increased risk of developing a hemorrhoid, which can, in turn, lead to an increased risk of constipation.
Related: 6 Types of Food for Hemorrhoid Relief
Can Constipation Cause Hemorrhoids?
Constipation can also indirectly cause hemorrhoids, as follows:
Constipation can cause you to strain on the toilet.
Straining on the toilet could lead to pressure in the anus and rectum.
This increased pressure could affect the veins in the area, causing them to become swollen and inflamed, which in turn becomes a hemorrhoid.
Constipation Symptoms
What is considered a "normal" bowel movement is highly variable and differs from person to person. However, guidelines exist for defining or diagnosing constipation.
Constipation may result in:
Feeling like there's more stool in the rectum even after defecating (tenesmus)
Having fewer than three bowel movements a week
Stools that are difficult to pass, which may cause straining on the toilet
Constipation is often uncomfortable. You may experience discomfort in your stomach or a feeling of a full rectum. These symptoms can be physically and emotionally distracting, especially when they go on for several days.
You might not want to leave the house for fear of needing to use the toilet. The uncomfortable sensations may make it harder to concentrate on work or school.
How to Relieve Hemorrhoid-Related Constipation
Treating both constipation and hemorrhoids may mean making changes to lifestyle and diet. The goal will be to have bowel movements that are soft and easy to pass so they don't cause pain or straining.
Measures you can take at home include:
Avoid straining: Ideally, stool should be easy to pass without much effort. Avoid the urge to strain. Also, do not sit on the toilet for long periods. These two habits are important in preventing hemorrhoids.
Drink more water: Not getting enough water during the day could make stools harder and lumpier. Drinking plenty of water could help soften stools.
Eat more fiber: Increasing the amount of soluble fiber may help bulk up stools and make them softer. Fiber supplements may also be useful, but they should be added to the diet slowly and with the advice of a healthcare provider.
Get more exercise: Being sedentary (not moving much) could contribute to constipation. Taking a walk or getting another form of exercise may help.
Treat the hemorrhoids: Over-the-counter hemorrhoid remedies may help reduce the swelling and itching. Some of these may include a mild pain reliever. A sitz bath (sitting in a shallow tub of warm water) may also help reduce swelling. It may help treat constipation to make the hemorrhoids less of a problem.
Related: Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids
Taking Laxatives
Using a laxative for a short period to address constipation may be helpful. Then, it will be important to focus on preventing constipation from recurring.
It's usually not recommended that laxatives be used for a long period. Some laxatives can have long-term effects, especially if they are used all the time.
The types of laxatives that are available for treating constipation include:
Fiber supplements, which may be used long-term with the advice of a healthcare provider
Osmotic agents, including Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) and Miralax (polyethylene glycol)
Stool softeners, such as Colace (docusate)
Lubricant laxatives, such as mineral oil
Stimulant laxatives, including Correctol or Dulcolax (biscodyl)
Related: Guide to Over-the-Counter Laxatives
How to Prevent Constipation and Hemorrhoids
Constipation has many causes. Certain triggers can't be avoided, like certain medical conditions or pregnancy. If medications are causing constipation, it's worth looking into ways to reduce those effects or switch to another drug.
Ways to prevent constipation are similar to those used to treat it, including getting enough dietary fiber, staying hydrated, regular exercise, and not ignoring the urge to move the bowels.
Healthcare providers may recommend trying to have a bowel movement at the same time every day or at regular intervals (which might be called bowel retraining).
Avoiding straining on the toilet can help prevent hemorrhoids and, in turn, constipation. Not using a phone or other device while on the toilet can help in avoiding sitting for too long and increasing the pressure on the rectum and anus.
Squatting during a bowel movement can also help. While seated on the toilet, place your feet on a regular footstool (or one made especially for this purpose) that's directly in front of the toilet so that your knees are raised and bent as you bear down.
Related: Squatty Potty: 5 Benefits of an Angled Pooping Position
Can Hemorrhoids Affect Bowel Movements in Other Ways?
Hemorrhoids can cause a feeling of fullness in the rectum or anus. It may feel like there is stool there that needs to be passed. This can fool people into sitting on the toilet for longer periods, even when there is no stool to pass. Sitting on the toilet for too long and straining can further make hemorrhoids more swollen.
Hemorrhoids can bleed. Blood in the stool is always a reason to see a healthcare provider. Even when it's thought to be from a hemorrhoid, a diagnosis is still needed. Blood could be from other, more serious causes, so it shouldn't be ignored.
Hemorrhoids can also be itchy. Further inflammation or even damage to the skin around the anus (the perianal skin) can result from trying to alleviate the itch. This could worsen the pain and discomfort.
Related: How Long Do Hemorrhoids Last?
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
A healthcare provider can help in treating constipation and/or hemorrhoids. The occasional bout with constipation or a hemorrhoid might be treatable at home. However, when the symptoms go on for more than a few days or if there are concerning symptoms, it's time to seek care.
See a healthcare provider if the following apply:
There is blood in or on the stool.
There is visible mucus in or on the stool.
The pain becomes unmanageable.
There are other symptoms (fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, losing weight without trying).
There's any concern that the symptoms could be from another condition.
Summary
Hemorrhoids are common, especially in older people, but there are ways to prevent them, and that may include treating constipation. Hemorrhoids and constipation have a bidirectional relationship, and they can each cause the other to worsen.
There are many measures people can take at home to treat hemorrhoids and constipation, such as getting enough fiber, water, and exercise. Seeking help from a healthcare provider may be necessary for people whose symptoms don't respond to home remedies.
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