Pain relievers, including acetaminophen , ibuprofen , and aspirin , may help with your hemorrhoid symptoms. You can also choose from a variety of over-the-counter creams, ointments, suppositories , and medicated pads. They contain medicines like lidocaine to numb the area, or hydrocortisone or witch hazel, to reduce swelling and itching.

Medical Procedures for Hemorrhoids

If your symptoms are severe or aren't getting better after a couple of weeks, your doctor may suggest a procedure to shrink or remove the hemorrhoids. Many can be performed in their office.

Injection. Your doctor can inject an internal hemorrhoid with a solution to create a scar and close off the hemorrhoid. The shot hurts only a little.

Rubber band ligation. This procedure is often done on prolapsed hemorrhoids, internal hemorrhoids that can be seen or felt outside. Using a special tool, the doctor puts a tiny rubber band around the hemorrhoid, which shuts off its blood supply almost instantly. Within a week, the hemorrhoid will dry up, shrink, and fall off.

Coagulation or cauterization. With an electric probe, a laser beam, or an infrared light, your doctor will make a tiny burn to remove tissue and painlessly seal the end of the hemorrhoid, causing it to close off and shrink. This works best for prolapsed hemorrhoids.

Surgery. For large internal hemorrhoids or extremely uncomfortable external hemorrhoids, your doctor may recommend surgery.

Hemorrhoidectomy. The most effective technique is to completely remove the hemorrhoids. But recovery is painful and can take several weeks.

The most effective technique is to completely remove the hemorrhoids. But recovery is painful and can take several weeks. Hemorrhoid stapling. This technique cuts blood flow to internal hemorrhoids and moves prolapsed tissue back in place. Recovery is easier, but there’s a greater chance of the hemorrhoids coming back.

Newer procedures use less invasive techniques to identify and cut off the blood supply to the problem tissues.

Medical treatments are effective, but unless you change your diet and lifestyle, hemorrhoids may come back.