Hemorrhoids: Natural Ways to Find Relief and Prevent Them From Coming Back

Hemorrhoids may not be something people love talking about, but they are incredibly common—and fortunately, there are many simple things you can do to feel better.

If you're dealing with itching, irritation, pressure, bleeding, or discomfort during bowel movements, your daily habits can make a significant difference. Supporting healthy digestion, keeping stools soft, and reducing unnecessary pressure on the rectal area are some of the most important steps you can take.

And from a Chinese medicine perspective, we can take things a step further by looking at why you're prone to hemorrhoids in the first place.

What Are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are swollen or enlarged veins around the anus or lower rectum. They can develop internally, inside the rectum, or externally under the skin surrounding the anus.

Internal hemorrhoids commonly cause painless bright-red bleeding or prolapse, while external hemorrhoids may cause itching, swelling, or discomfort. Significant pain is more characteristic of a thrombosed external hemorrhoid or another condition, such as an anal fissure.

Hemorrhoids can develop for several reasons, but increased pressure on the veins in this area plays a major role. Constipation, straining during bowel movements, sitting on the toilet for long periods, pregnancy, and changes in bowel habits can all contribute.

Start With Your Bowel Habits

One of the best things you can do for hemorrhoids doesn't require a supplement, cream, or complicated protocol.

Make your bowel movements easier.

Straining places additional pressure on hemorrhoidal veins and can make existing hemorrhoids worse. Sitting on the toilet for extended periods can do the same.

If you're someone who takes your phone into the bathroom and sits there scrolling for 20 minutes, this is your reminder to leave it outside.

Go when you feel the urge, avoid forcing a bowel movement, and don't spend unnecessary time sitting on the toilet. Current gastroenterology recommendations specifically emphasize reducing both straining and prolonged toilet time.

Fiber Is Your Friend

Keeping stools soft and easy to pass is one of the most effective ways to prevent irritation.

Fiber adds bulk to the stool and helps support regular bowel movements. Fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, chia seeds, flaxseed, and whole grains are all excellent sources.

If you don't currently eat much fiber, increase it gradually. Suddenly adding large amounts can leave you feeling bloated and uncomfortable.

Fiber supplements such as psyllium can also be helpful for some people. Increasing fiber is one of the best-supported conservative treatments for hemorrhoids and can help reduce symptoms, particularly bleeding.

Don't Forget Hydration

Fiber works best when you're drinking enough fluids.

When you're dehydrated, stools can become harder and more difficult to pass, which means more straining and pressure.

Rather than focusing on a perfect number of ounces, pay attention to your individual needs and make water a regular part of your day—especially as you increase your fiber intake.

Warmth Can Be Soothing

A warm sitz bath is one of the simplest things you can try when hemorrhoids are irritated.

Sitting in comfortably warm water may help soothe the area and temporarily relieve discomfort. Although sitz baths are commonly recommended and many people find them helpful, the scientific evidence supporting them specifically for hemorrhoids is limited.

The goal is comfort—not extremely hot water or adding irritating ingredients.

How Chinese Medicine Views Hemorrhoids

Chinese medicine looks beyond the hemorrhoid itself and considers the pattern that allowed it to develop.

One classic pattern associated with hemorrhoids is Spleen Qi sinking. In Chinese medicine, the Spleen helps hold the body's tissues and organs in their proper position. When Spleen Qi becomes weak, we may see symptoms of "sinking" or prolapse.

Someone with this pattern may also experience fatigue, loose stools, poor appetite, abdominal bloating, weakness, or other signs of Spleen Qi deficiency.

Other hemorrhoid presentations may involve Damp-Heat, particularly when there is more swelling, irritation, burning, or bleeding. Constipation and Blood Stasis may also contribute depending on the individual presentation.

This is why Chinese medicine treatment isn't the same for every patient with hemorrhoids.

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, treatment is based on the underlying pattern rather than simply treating the hemorrhoid itself.

For someone with Spleen Qi sinking, treatment may focus on strengthening and raising Qi. A person presenting with Damp-Heat would receive an entirely different treatment approach.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be incorporated into an individualized Chinese medicine plan, but the evidence specifically supporting them as hemorrhoid treatments is limited. They should complement—not replace—appropriate medical evaluation, particularly when rectal bleeding is present.

This personalized approach is one of the things I love most about Chinese medicine. We aren't simply asking, "How do we make this hemorrhoid go away?" We're also asking, "Why did your body develop this pattern in the first place?"

💡 Dr. Stephanie's Tip: Don't underestimate your bathroom habits. Increasing fiber is important, but so is avoiding straining and getting off the toilet when you're finished. Those seemingly small habits can reduce unnecessary pressure on hemorrhoidal veins and may help prevent repeated irritation.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Don't automatically assume rectal bleeding is from hemorrhoids.

Bleeding can have many causes, and current guidelines recommend appropriate evaluation rather than automatically attributing it to hemorrhoids. Depending on your age, symptoms, risk factors, and screening history, further evaluation may be necessary.

You should also seek medical care if you have significant pain, persistent or heavy bleeding, black stools, unexplained weight loss, changes in bowel habits, fever, or symptoms that aren't improving.

For hemorrhoids that don't respond to conservative treatment, effective office-based procedures such as rubber-band ligation, sclerotherapy, or infrared coagulation may be appropriate depending on the type and severity.

Healthy Digestion Makes a Difference

Hemorrhoids are common, but there are plenty of things you can do to make yourself more comfortable and reduce the chances of them continually coming back.

Start with the basics: keep your bowel movements regular, eat plenty of fiber, stay hydrated, avoid straining, and don't spend unnecessary time sitting on the toilet.

And if constipation, irregular bowel movements, or chronic digestive problems keep contributing to the problem, that's when it's worth looking deeper.

If digestive issues are affecting your quality of life, I'd love to help you understand what's contributing to your symptoms. Together, we can create a personalized plan using acupuncture, Chinese medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle strategies to support healthier digestion and help you feel your best.