Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the rectum or anus. Shrinkage time varies significantly based on size, type, individual health, and treatment response.
Key Factors Affecting Resolution
Shrinkage time depends on hemorrhoid characteristics and individual response. Smaller, less inflamed hemorrhoids resolve faster. Mild cases may shrink within days to a week with home care; more inflamed ones can take two to four weeks.
Hemorrhoid type also influences healing. Internal hemorrhoids develop inside the rectum; external ones form under the skin around the anus. External hemorrhoids, especially thrombosed ones, are painful and may take three to four weeks to heal. Prolapsed internal hemorrhoids, protruding outside the anus, also take longer to resolve if not easily pushed back.
Individual healing capacity also plays a part. Chronic constipation, persistent straining, or prolonged sitting can slow healing and contribute to recurrence. Pregnancy can also affect healing, with hemorrhoids sometimes not improving until after childbirth.
Treatment Approaches and Their Timelines
Treatment approaches offer different timelines for shrinkage and relief. Lifestyle modifications are often the first step, showing quick improvement. Increasing dietary fiber (25-30 grams daily), drinking water, and avoiding straining soften stools, improving mild cases within days to a week. Regular exercise also aids recovery.
Over-the-counter (OTC) remedies provide symptom relief and aid shrinking. Creams, ointments, and suppositories with ingredients like hydrocortisone or witch hazel offer relief from pain, itching, and swelling within hours to a day. Consistent application can lead to noticeable shrinking within seven days. If symptoms don’t improve after a week, seek medical evaluation.
Minimally invasive office-based procedures target hemorrhoids directly. Rubber band ligation cuts off blood supply, causing the hemorrhoid to shrivel and fall off, typically within a week, with full healing in one to two weeks. Pain may last 24-48 hours, but most activities can resume immediately, avoiding heavy lifting for two to three weeks.
Sclerotherapy injects a solution to harden and shrink the hemorrhoid, usually within four to six weeks. Symptom relief often occurs within a week, with normal activities resuming in a day or two. Infrared coagulation (IRC) uses heat to shrink hemorrhoids; symptom relief is expected within a week, with full recovery in one to two weeks.
Surgical options, like hemorrhoidectomy, are for severe or recurrent cases unresponsive to other treatments. This involves surgical removal. Recovery is longer, with pain resolving in two to four weeks and full recovery (including strenuous activities) taking six to eight weeks. Daily activities can resume within one to two weeks, though some discomfort and drainage may persist.
When to Consult a Doctor
Consult a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen despite home care. If discomfort, pain, or itching don’t improve after a week of consistent home remedies, seek medical advice. Persistent symptoms could indicate other underlying conditions.
Any significant or persistent rectal bleeding warrants medical evaluation. While hemorrhoids can cause bright red blood, other serious conditions also present with bleeding. Severe pain, especially from a thrombosed hemorrhoid, requires prompt medical attention. Additionally, consult a professional if a prolapsed hemorrhoid cannot be easily pushed back, or if new symptoms like changes in bowel habits or unexplained weight loss occur.