Debunking Hemorrhoid Myths: Common Misconceptions about the Condition

Hemorrhoids are one of those health issues that a lot of people experience but that few people want to talk about. While precise numbers are hard to obtain since many people never tell their doctor they have hemorrhoids, a recent international online survey estimated that about 11% of people globally have hemorrhoids.  Plus, recent research suggests that genetics may play a role in the development of hemorrhoids.

Unfortunately, the silence around hemorrhoids has led to a lot of myths and misconceptions about what causes them, who gets them, and how they’re treated. This article aims to set the record straight by debunking some of the most common hemorrhoid myths to help you understand the facts about this widespread condition.

What are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the rectum or anus. They can be internal (inside the rectum) or external (under the skin around the anus). Also known as piles, common symptoms of hemorrhoids include itching, discomfort, pain, or bleeding during bowel movements. With internal hemorrhoids, you may also experience prolapse, which is when the hemorrhoid falls through your anal opening.

Hemorrhoids are typically the result of too much pressure being put on the veins around the anus. This can be caused by several factors, including straining during bowel movements, sitting on the toilet for too long, and a low-fibre diet leading to constipation.

Hemorrhoids can also occur when the supportive tissues in your rectum and anus are weakened, such as during pregnancy or aging.

In addition to lifestyle factors, some medications, such as certain anti-depressants, anti-epileptic drugs, and supplements containing iron, can increase your risk of constipation, thereby increasing your risk of developing hemorrhoids.

Common Hemorrhoid Myths

Unfortunately, there are a lot of common misconceptions about who gets hemorrhoids, what causes them, and how they should be treated. They include myths about the age of people who get hemorrhoids, how long hemorrhoids last, and what factors cause them. Fortunately, we’re here to bust some of the most common hemorrhoid myths.

Only the Elderly Get Hemorrhoids

One common myth is that only the elderly get hemorrhoids. While it’s true that older adults are prone to hemorrhoids — almost half of people over 50 get them at some point or another — other groups of people can also get them. For example, between 12 and 41% of people who are pregnant or in the postpartum period may get hemorrhoids. Factors like chronic constipation, sitting on the toilet for too long, straining during bowel movements, and frequently lifting heavy objects can lead to hemorrhoids at any age.

Hemorrhoids Never Go Away

While you may have heard stories about hemorrhoids that require surgery, the truth is that hemorrhoids often resolve on their own or with simple home treatments like increased fibre intake, sitz baths (where you sit in a few inches of warm water a few times per day), avoidance of straining while defecating, and exercising regularly.

Over-the-counter remedies can also assist in relieving the symptoms of hemorrhoids. These include:

• Flavonoids (diosmin): These bioactive compounds are used to reduce bleeding and itchiness, and can improve overall symptoms.
• Topical treatments (e.g., Nitroglycerin): Nitroglycerin decreases rectal pain caused by thrombosed hemorrhoids (hemorrhoids filled with blood clots).
• Astringents (witch hazel): Helps treat mild hemorrhoid symptoms.
• Decongestants (phenylephrine): Shrinks blood vessels to relieve burning and swelling.

Medical treatments like rubber band ligation or hemorrhoidectomy (surgery to remove hemorrhoids that do not respond to treatment) may be needed in more severe cases. Either way, hemorrhoids are treatable, and you don’t have to live with them forever!

Spicy Foods Cause Hemorrhoids

Spicy foods are often blamed for causing hemorrhoids, but there’s not a lot of good evidence that they actually cause hemorrhoids. In fact, an older study from 2006 found that when people ate chilli peppers, there was no signficant difference in symptoms such as bleeding, swelling, pain, itching, and burning between those who consumed chili pepper and those who took a placebo.  This shows that there is no reason to avoid spicy foods if you have hemorrhoids. 

If you’re still unsure about including spicy foods in your diet, start with a small amount (such as a pinch of cayenne pepper or chilli powder in a meal) to see how it affects your hemorrhoid symptoms. If the pain or itching worsens, you may wish to avoid spicy foods until your hemorrhoids resolve. If you don’t notice any worsening of symptoms, you can likely include spicy foods in your diet without having to worry about it aggravating your hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids Are Always Severe

While hemorrhoids definitely aren’t comfortable, research shows that a large percentage (71%) of people rate their hemorrhoid symptoms as low severity. Only 14% of people in a large study about hemorrhoids globally had high-severity hemorrhoids. 

That being said, if your symptoms don’t resolve after one week of at-home treatment or if you have bleeding from your rectum, you should speak with your doctor. This is especially important if your hemorrhoids are accompanied by severe anal pain, pain in your abdomen, diarrhea, or fever.

Stress Causes Hemorrhoids

Stress alone doesn’t directly cause hemorrhoids, but it can indirectly contribute to their development if it leads to changes in eating habits. For example, stress-eating ultra-processed foods (many of which are low in fibre) can lead to constipation, which is a major risk factor for hemorrhoids. While managing stress is important for a whole range of other health reasons, stress itself is not a direct cause of hemorrhoids.

Getting started with stress management could be as simple as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation. But if your stress is chronic and impacting your daily life, you may benefit from working with a therapist who can help you understand the drivers of your stress and help you develop a coping toolbox. 

High Blood Pressure Causes Hemorrhoids

While it’s true that high blood pressure affects the veins, it doesn’t directly lead to hemorrhoids. A large 2014 study of Korean adults found that while many factors were associated with the development of hemorrhoids, hypertension (high blood pressure) was not one of them. 

The main causes of hemorrhoids are related to increased pressure in the veins surrounding the rectum and anus, which typically results from straining during bowel movements, pregnancy, or sitting on the toilet for long periods of time.

Final Thoughts

Hemorrhoids are an incredibly common ailment that many people experience at some point in their lives. But despite how common they are, there’s a lot of hemorrhoid myths floating around. By separating fact from fiction, you can better understand this common condition’s causes and treatment options.

If you’re dealing with hemorrhoids, remember to focus on lifestyle changes like eating a high-fibre diet, staying hydrated, and avoiding prolonged sitting on the toilet or straining during bowel movements. And most importantly, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice if your symptoms persist or worsen — there’s absolutely no shame in taking care of your gastrointestinal health.

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