Most hemorrhoids shrink on their own within about a week when you reduce the pressure and irritation that caused them to swell in the first place. The key is combining several simple strategies: softening your stool so it passes easily, soothing the swollen tissue directly, and changing a few bathroom habits that make things worse. Here’s what actually works.
Increase Your Fiber Intake
Fiber is the single most effective long-term strategy for both shrinking current hemorrhoids and preventing new ones. It softens stool and adds bulk, which means less straining on the toilet. Straining is the main mechanical force that engorges hemorrhoid tissue, so removing that pressure lets swollen veins gradually return to normal size.
The recommended target is about 14 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories you eat. On a typical 2,000-calorie diet, that works out to 28 grams per day. Most people fall well short of this. Rather than doubling your intake overnight (which causes bloating and gas), add 5 grams every few days. Good sources include beans, lentils, oats, berries, broccoli, pears, and flaxseed. If you struggle to get enough from food, a psyllium husk supplement mixed into water works well as a gentle bulk-forming option.
Drink more water as you increase fiber. Fiber absorbs fluid in the gut, and without enough water, it can actually make stools harder to pass.
Use Sitz Baths to Reduce Swelling
A sitz bath is simply sitting in a few inches of warm water so your anal area is submerged. The warmth increases blood flow to the tissue, which helps reduce inflammation and relax the muscles around the rectum. It also provides immediate relief from itching and pain.
Cleveland Clinic recommends water at about 104°F (40°C), warm enough to be soothing but not hot enough to irritate already sensitive skin. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes per session, and repeat three to four times a day when symptoms are active. You can buy a small plastic sitz bath basin that fits over your toilet seat, or simply use your bathtub. Pat the area dry gently afterward rather than rubbing.
Apply Witch Hazel Topically
Witch hazel is one of the few natural topical treatments with a well-understood mechanism. It’s rich in tannins, compounds that tighten and constrict swollen tissue (an astringent effect). Beyond simple tightening, witch hazel also inhibits enzymes that break down connective tissue around veins, which helps the hemorrhoid hold its shape and shrink rather than continuing to bulge.
You can apply it using pre-soaked pads (sold at most pharmacies) or by dabbing liquid witch hazel onto a cotton ball and holding it against the area for a minute or two. It works well after a sitz bath when the tissue is clean and soft. Many people also find that chilling witch hazel pads in the refrigerator adds a numbing effect that further reduces discomfort.
Cold Compresses for Quick Relief
Ice constricts blood vessels and reduces the fluid buildup that makes hemorrhoids feel swollen and tender. Wrap ice or a cold pack in a thin cloth and apply it to the area for 15 minutes at a time. Never place ice directly on skin. You can alternate cold compresses with sitz baths throughout the day: cold to reduce swelling, warmth to promote healing blood flow.
Fix Your Toilet Posture
The standard seated position on a toilet keeps a U-shaped muscle called the puborectalis partially contracted. This muscle wraps around the rectum and creates a kink in the lower bowel, which means you have to push harder to move stool past that bend. That extra straining pressure is exactly what inflames hemorrhoids.
Raising your feet on a small stool (6 to 9 inches high) while sitting on the toilet brings your knees closer to your chest, mimicking a squatting position. This relaxes the puborectalis muscle and straightens out the colon, giving stool a more direct path. The result is less time and less effort on the toilet, both of which matter. Try to keep bathroom visits under five minutes, and never sit and scroll your phone while waiting for something to happen. If nothing is moving, get up and come back later.
Consider Bioflavonoid Supplements
Bioflavonoids, particularly a combination of diosmin and hesperidin found in citrus fruits, strengthen vein walls and improve blood flow in the small vessels around the rectum. Clinical trials involving over 2,800 patients found that this combination significantly reduced hemorrhoid symptoms compared to placebo. In one study, only 40% of patients taking the supplement experienced a flare-up during the trial period, compared to 70% in the placebo group. When flare-ups did occur, they were shorter (2.6 days vs. 4.6 days) and less severe.
These supplements are sold over the counter in most countries, often under the name “micronized purified flavonoid fraction.” Side effects are uncommon and mostly mild digestive issues. They won’t replace fiber and good habits, but they can be a useful addition when hemorrhoids keep recurring.
Habits That Speed Up Healing
Several everyday behaviors directly affect how quickly hemorrhoids shrink. Sitting for long periods pools blood in the rectal veins, so if you have a desk job, stand or walk for a few minutes every hour. Heavy lifting with poor breathing technique (holding your breath and bearing down) creates the same abdominal pressure as straining on the toilet, so exhale during exertion.
Avoid using dry toilet paper on inflamed hemorrhoids. It creates friction that worsens swelling and can cause small tears. Unscented, alcohol-free wet wipes or a gentle rinse with water are far less irritating. If you have access to a bidet or handheld sprayer, even better.
Loose, breathable cotton underwear reduces moisture buildup and friction against external hemorrhoids. Tight synthetic fabrics trap heat and sweat, which can increase itching and slow healing.
What to Expect and When to Get Help
With consistent at-home care, most hemorrhoids improve noticeably within a few days and resolve within a week. External hemorrhoids (the ones you can see and feel around the rim) tend to be more painful but respond well to sitz baths and cold compresses. Internal hemorrhoids, which form inside the rectum, often cause painless bleeding and may take slightly longer to fully shrink.
If your symptoms haven’t improved after a week of daily treatment, or if you notice blood in your stool or on toilet paper, it’s worth getting evaluated. Rectal bleeding has several possible causes beyond hemorrhoids, including inflammatory bowel conditions and, less commonly, colorectal cancer. A healthcare provider can confirm the diagnosis and, if needed, discuss minimally invasive options for hemorrhoids that don’t respond to conservative care.