How often does hemorrhoids cause bleeding?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on March 10, 2025
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Internal hemorrhoids can cause rectal bleeding, typically occurring during defecation, ranging from dripping to jet-like bleeding. Rectal bleeding is painless, and prolonged bleeding can lead to anemia characterized by loss of appetite, fatigue, and lack of concentration. It is important to timely apply hemostatic medications or opt for treatments like electrocoagulation, banding, or surgery. Dietary adjustments should be made by increasing the intake of vegetables and fruits and reducing spicy, greasy, and irritating foods. Regular routines should be maintained, avoiding prolonged sitting, and using warm water for sitz baths every evening can effectively relieve the symptoms of hemorrhoidal venous dilatation.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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What color is the blood in hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are mainly divided into internal and external hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids can cause rectal bleeding, the color of which is bright red. If the hemorrhoids are severe, then the amount of bleeding can be significant. Internal hemorrhoids mainly present with painless rectal bleeding, usually occurring after defecation. It is necessary to go to the hospital's proctology department timely for an anoscopy. Mild cases can be treated with medications for hemorrhoids and topical ointments, while severe cases may require surgical treatment. It is important to rest frequently, drink plenty of water, avoid sitting for long periods, eat less spicy food, and also avoid smoking and alcohol.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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What to eat when hemorrhoids bleed?

When symptoms of bleeding occur in hemorrhoids, it is generally necessary to first carry out symptomatic treatment with oral hemostatic medications and local anal suppository for hemorrhoids. Simple bleeding or minor bleeding can be alleviated by oral medication or conservative topical drugs. If the bleeding hemorrhoids are accompanied by recurrent protrusion of internal masses or severe anal pain, in addition to oral hemostatic drugs, it is also necessary to combine surgical ligation or internal hemorrhoidal banding for hemostasis, and if necessary, combined with internal sclerosant mucosal injection for comprehensive treatment. When patients with hemorrhoids bleed, it is generally advised to eat liquid food and avoid hard textured food, and certainly not to eat spicy and irritating food.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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What causes hemorrhoids to bleed?

Internal hemorrhoids can easily cause rectal bleeding. The main reason is the varicosity of hemorrhoidal veins. During defecation, dry and hard stools scratch the hemorrhoidal veins causing them to rupture and bleed. Additionally, due to the long-term presence of hemorrhoids, the hemorrhoidal veins become overstretched, making the vein walls thin and fragile, and easily damaged during bowel movements. For hemorrhoid-induced rectal bleeding, treatment can be administered through medications aimed primarily at reducing bleeding symptoms and alleviating the varicosity of the hemorrhoidal veins. Sitz baths can also be used to reduce swelling around the anus. If medication provides limited relief, minimally invasive or surgical treatments may be considered.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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What should pregnant women with hemorrhoids eat?

If pregnant women suffer from hemorrhoids, they should correct some unhealthy dietary habits. It's important to eat more foods rich in fiber, as high-fiber foods often accelerate intestinal peristalsis to alleviate constipation. In daily life, one can eat more celery, cabbage, and fruits like apples, bananas, oranges, pears, and dragon fruit, which are all good choices. Additionally, consuming more coarsely processed foods, which are also rich in nutrients and dietary fiber, is suitable for pregnant women with hemorrhoids to ensure smooth bowel movements.

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Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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Is it scary to have bleeding hemorrhoids?

Firstly, hemorrhoids are soft venous masses formed by the dilation and excessive twisting of veins under the mucous membrane and the skin at the end of the rectum. During defecation, the stool rubs against the raised twisted veins, and the straining during defecation causes increased pressure on these vessels, leading to rupturing of the hemorrhoidal veins and resulting in bleeding with the stools. If the amount of bleeding is significant, it can lead to symptoms like anemia and dizziness. If the bleeding is minor, it generally does not pose a problem. Therefore, if there is a case of hemorrhoidal bleeding, it is best to visit the colorectal surgery department of a hospital for a proper diagnosis and, if necessary, surgical treatment can be performed to prevent recurrence of the bleeding.