How are bleeding piles treated?

Doctor's Answers 3

Often, women develop a protrusion of the skin at the front edge of their anus after childbirth. This is a skin tag which formed due to the stretching of your perineum and pelvis during childbirth. The skin tag then behaves as a weight at the anus every time you pass stools. Over time, it slowly causes your hemorrhoid in the anus to be dragged downwards. Not all women with this skin tag develop hemorrhoid problems and that is why colorectal surgeons tend to ask patients not to remove the skin tags if they do not have symptomatic hemorrhoids.

If you experience some bleeding on the toilet tissue after you wipe the anus too hard, it could be due direct abrasion of the anus lining at the skin tag. It could also be due to bleeding from hemorrhoids that are being dragged downward. If the bleeding is painless and drips into the toilet, it is likely to be hemorrhoid bleeding.

It is best to see a doctor to have that assessed. Your doctor will perform an anal exam including a digital rectal exam and visualizing the hemorrhoids with an anal probe called a proctoscope. Your doctor will then be able to recommend the best treatment.

Meanwhile, you can try to manage the problem by softening your stools if the stools are hard. You can do this by taking more fruits (aim for 1 serving of fruit a day, where 1 serving is equivalent to one apple/banana), drinking sufficient water to avoid dehydration and avoiding chilli/alcohol.

It is important to note that not all cases with bleeding in the anus are due to hemorrhoids. Your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy if he/she feels there may be a risk that your bleeding is from the colon.

Photo of Dr Wai Leong Quan
Dr Wai Leong Quan

Gastroenterologist

Although bleeding from piles are common, not all bleeding from the anus are due to piles. Bleeding which is fresh on toilet paper or dripping suggest the source being close to the anus with piles being one of the commonest cause. Other conditions with fresh bleeding include anal fissure and rectal ulcers. Blood clots or altered blood, on the other hand, suggest a bleeding source higher up.

Regardless of the actual reason, persistent bleeding or significant bleeding requires assessment and possibly treatment. A proctoscopy examination at your family clinic may be necessary to make a firm diagnosis of piles.

Rubber band ligation can also be done at the same setting to treat your bleeding if internal piles are found. Depending on your age, a colonoscopy may also be recommended to exclude bleeding from other causes such as polyp or diverticular disease.

- Dr Quan

Photo of Dr Paul Ang
Dr Paul Ang

General Practitioner

Thank you Yvonne for asking this interesting question.

It is quite common to have piles problem especially before and after delivery. But there could be other causes for the bleeding as well.

Most of the time, it would improve greatly a month after delivery.

Trying to soften your stools by taking laxatives and more fluids would help as well.

You could see a GP to have it examined to see if your piles require surgery. Most piles do not require surgery to treat.

Similar Questions

Is it normal for bleeding to occur 3 days after wisdom teeth extraction? When should I be concerned?

It is possible to have bleeding after a few days post operatively. There are a few factors which may have caused your bleeding: An unstable blood clot or the clot may have been disturbed due to eg) vigorous rinsing / exercising You experienced a difficult removal, which may cause the surrounding soft tissues or bone to bleed more. If you have high blood pressure If you have a “large” blood vessel in your bone or soft tissue which was traumatized You could try to bite on a gauze for 30 minutes, or apply pressure at the socket site to help stop the bleeding.

Photo of Dr Joanne Lam

Answered By

Dr Joanne Lam

Dentist

Why are my gums starting to cover up my teeth?

Your problem with gum overgrowing is not an unusual one, and it is usually something that should not be any cause for worry. There could be many reasons why gums overgrow, and I will attempt to list them here in broad categories: 1. Gums overgrowing due to local irritation and inflammation. 2. Gums overgrowing as a side effect of certain medication (for eg anti-convulsants). 3. Gums overgrowing due to some kind of systemic conditions (for eg pregnancy). 4. Gums overgrowing due to benign or cancerous growths.

Photo of Dr Gerald Tan

Answered By

Dr Gerald Tan

Dentist

Ask any health question for free

I’m not so sure about a procedure...

Ask Icon Ask a Question

Join Human

Sign up now for a free Human account to get answers from specialists in Singapore.

Sign Up

Get The Pill

Be healthier with our Bite-sized health news straight in your inbox