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How Long Do Hemorrhoids Last? A Medically Reviewed Timeline

Digestive HealthConditions & DiseasesHome Remedies & Self-Care
How Long Do Hemorrhoids Last? A Medically Reviewed Timeline

Key points

  • Acute hemorrhoids appear suddenly with severe symptoms like intense pain and swelling, often due to a blood clot. While debilitating, the acute phase usually resolves within a few weeks.
  • Chronic hemorrhoids involve persistent or recurring symptoms over six weeks or longer. They are characterized by ongoing discomfort, itching, and intermittent bleeding rather than sudden, severe pain. Chronic hemorrhoids are unlikely to disappear without addressing the root causes.

Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are a common and often uncomfortable condition involving swollen veins in your anus and lower rectum. If you're experiencing symptoms like pain, itching, or rectal bleeding, one of your first questions is likely, "How long will this last?" The short answer is that the duration can range from just a few days to several weeks.

However, the healing timeline isn't one-size-fits-all. It depends heavily on the type and severity of your hemorrhoids, your lifestyle habits, and the treatments you use. This guide provides a comprehensive timeline based on medical insights to help you understand what to expect and how to find relief faster.

Healing Timelines by Hemorrhoid Type

The healing process for hemorrhoids varies significantly depending on their type, size, and whether complications like blood clots have developed.

Hemorrhoid Type Typical Duration Key Characteristics
Mild External Hemorrhoids A few days to 1 week Small lumps under the skin around the anus. May resolve on their own with home care.
Internal Hemorrhoids Varies (days to weeks) Located inside the rectum. Often painless unless they prolapse (protrude). May last longer if symptomatic and large.
Thrombosed Hemorrhoids 2 to 4 weeks An external or internal hemorrhoid with a blood clot inside. Causes sudden, severe pain and swelling. The clot typically needs time to dissolve.
Pregnancy-Related Varies May persist throughout pregnancy and often improve or resolve in the weeks after childbirth.
Chronic Hemorrhoids More than 6 weeks Persistent or recurrent symptoms that may last for months or even over a year without medical intervention.

Factors That Influence How Long Hemorrhoids Last

Several key factors can either shorten or extend the time it takes for hemorrhoids to heal. Understanding these can empower you to take control of your recovery.

Severity and Type

As the table above shows, the specific kind of hemorrhoid is the biggest predictor of its duration. Small, non-thrombosed external hemorrhoids often have the shortest lifespan. In contrast, large, prolapsed internal hemorrhoids or painful thrombosed hemorrhoids are more complex and require more time and often medical treatment to resolve.

Acute vs. Chronic Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids can be either a short-term (acute) problem or a long-term (chronic) one.

  • Acute hemorrhoids appear suddenly with severe symptoms like intense pain and swelling, often due to a blood clot. While debilitating, the acute phase usually resolves within a few weeks.
  • Chronic hemorrhoids involve persistent or recurring symptoms over six weeks or longer. They are characterized by ongoing discomfort, itching, and intermittent bleeding rather than sudden, severe pain. Chronic hemorrhoids are unlikely to disappear without addressing the root causes.

Lifestyle and Daily Habits

Your daily routines play a significant role in both causing hemorrhoids and preventing them from healing.

  • Diet and Hydration: A diet low in fiber and inadequate water intake leads to hard stools and constipation, causing you to strain during bowel movements. This pressure is a primary cause of hemorrhoids and can prevent existing ones from healing.
  • Bathroom Habits: Straining or sitting on the toilet for extended periods increases pressure on the rectal veins. Recent studies highlighted in outlets like Healthline and Slate have linked prolonged toilet time—often due to scrolling on smartphones—to a higher risk of developing hemorrhoids. Researchers found that many people are unaware of how much extra time they spend on the toilet while distracted by their phones.
  • Physical Activity: A sedentary lifestyle can contribute to poor circulation and constipation. Conversely, regular, moderate exercise promotes healthy bowel function. However, heavy lifting can also increase abdominal pressure and worsen hemorrhoids.

Diagram showing internal and external hemorrhoids Caption: Hemorrhoids can be internal (inside the rectum) or external (under the skin around the anus).

How to Know if Hemorrhoids Are Healing

As your body recovers, you should notice a clear improvement in your symptoms. Key signs that your hemorrhoids are healing include:

  • Reduced Pain and Itching: The discomfort, soreness, and itching around the anal area begin to subside.
  • Cessation of Bleeding: You no longer see bright red blood on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement.
  • Shrinking Lump: The swollen lump or lumps become smaller and less inflamed.
  • Resolution of Clots: In thrombosed hemorrhoids, the painful clot may gradually dissolve, or the hemorrhoid might spontaneously drain, leading to significant relief.

After an external hemorrhoid heals, it's common for a small, benign piece of excess skin, known as a skin tag, to remain.

How to Make Hemorrhoids Go Away Faster

While many hemorrhoids resolve on their own, you can take active steps to speed up the healing process and alleviate discomfort.

At-Home Remedies and Lifestyle Adjustments

For most mild to moderate cases, home care is highly effective.

  • Increase Fiber and Fluids: Aim for 25-30 grams of fiber per day from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and drink plenty of water to soften stools and prevent straining.
  • Take a Sitz Bath: Soaking the anal area in a shallow bath of warm water for 10-15 minutes, two to three times a day, can soothe irritation and improve blood flow.
  • Use Ice Packs: Applying a cold compress to the affected area for 15-minute intervals can help reduce swelling and numb the pain.
  • Try Over-the-Counter (OTC) Products: Creams, ointments, or pads containing witch hazel or hydrocortisone can provide temporary relief from pain and itching. Oral pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can also help.
  • Limit Time on the Toilet: Avoid sitting for more than 5-10 minutes at a time. Leave your phone outside the bathroom to prevent distraction and prolonged sitting.

When Medical Intervention is Necessary

If your hemorrhoids are severe, painful, or don't improve with a week of home care, a doctor can offer more advanced treatments. These minimally invasive procedures are often performed in a doctor's office:

  • Rubber Band Ligation: A tiny rubber band is placed around the base of an internal hemorrhoid, cutting off its blood supply and causing it to fall off within a week.
  • Sclerotherapy: A chemical solution is injected into the hemorrhoid tissue to make it shrink.
  • Thrombectomy: For a painful thrombosed hemorrhoid, a doctor can make a small incision to remove the clot, providing immediate relief.
  • Surgery (Hemorrhoidectomy): For large or persistent hemorrhoids, surgical removal may be recommended.

The Post-Healing Reality: Will They Come Back?

Unfortunately, healing from a hemorrhoid flare-up doesn't guarantee they are gone forever. Hemorrhoids can enter a dormant state and recur if the underlying lifestyle factors that caused them are not corrected.

Studies on surgical procedures have shown recurrence rates between 9% and 20% within one to two years. The key to true, long-term resolution is prevention. By consistently maintaining a high-fiber diet, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and practicing healthy bowel habits, you can significantly reduce your risk of another painful episode.

When to See a Doctor

While most hemorrhoids are not dangerous, it's important to seek medical advice to confirm the diagnosis and rule out more serious conditions. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:

  • Symptoms that don't improve after one week of home treatment.
  • Severe or increasing pain and swelling.
  • Heavy, persistent, or recurring rectal bleeding.
  • Symptoms accompanied by dizziness, lightheadedness, or faintness.
  • A change in your stool's color to black or tar-like, as this could indicate bleeding higher up in the digestive tract.

By understanding the factors at play, you can better manage your symptoms, accelerate healing, and take preventative steps to keep hemorrhoids from coming back.

References

Fatima Al-Jamil, MD

About the author

Fatima Al-Jamil, MD
Gastroenterologist

Fatima Al-Jamil, MD, MPH, is board-certified in gastroenterology and hepatology. She is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at a university in Michigan, with a clinical focus on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and motility disorders.