Can Hemorrhoids Cause Constipation?

Having hemorrhoids can cause changes in the way you pass bowel movements, and they may contribute to constipation. If symptoms are mild, hemorrhoids will not affect your bathroom habits. However, when symptoms are more disruptive, they can cause bowel issues.

In this article, we explain the relationship between constipation and hemorrhoids, including prevention tips and treatment options.

The Role of Constipation in Developing Hemorrhoids

Do hemorrhoids make you constipated? Yes, they can contribute to constipation. However, the reverse is also true: chronic constipation increases your risk for developing them (also known as piles.)

With constipation, you will likely need to strain in order to pass a bowel movement. The force of that straining increases pressure on the lower rectum and anus, and that pressure can cause veins in the area to swell, leading to hemorrhoid formation. (If the veins inside the rectum become swollen, you will develop internal cases. When vessels outside the rectum or anus are affected, they form externally.)  

Once they’ve formed, they can trigger symptoms such as pain, itching and rectal bleeding. In turn, you may delay or avoid trying to pass stool, even when you feel the urge to go. Unfortunately, holding in a bowel movement can cause the stool to harden, becoming more difficult to pass and contributing to constipation. Furthermore, if they are severely swollen, the piles could partially block your anal opening, making it harder to pass stool and causing you to strain harder when using the toilet, causing constipation or worsening existing bowel issues.  

How to Treat Constipation and Hemorrhoids

While hemorrhoids can cause constipation, you may be able to alleviate both concerns by engaging in lifestyle-based hemorrhoids treatment such as changes in diet and exercise levels. Start by increasing the amount of water you consume, since this can help soften stool, reducing the need to strain in the bathroom and making it easier to pass a bowel movement.

Adding additional soluble fiber to your diet will also soften stools—great food-based fiber sources include black beans, Brussels sprouts, avocados and pears. If you struggle to meet your ideal daily fiber intake through diet (women should aim for 25 grams each day, while men’s recommended daily intake is 38 grams), supplements can also be helpful.

Exercise may also help alleviate both constipation and the condition. (Leading a sedentary lifestyle is considered a risk factor for hemorrhoid development.) Even something as simple as a daily walk can help support better bowel health and may relieve mild hemorrhoid symptoms.   

Other Ways Hemorrhoids Can Affect Your Bowel

In addition to contributing to constipation, can hemorrhoids cause bowel issues of other kinds?  When piles are large and swollen, several different bowel issues can become a problem.

Bowel incontinence

Large, swollen piles can prevent complete closure in the muscles surrounding your anus. As a result, they can cause bowel incontinence in the form of leaking stools or mucus coming from the anal opening.

Affected bowel movements

Hemorrhoids can affect bowel movements in multiple ways. As reviewed, both external and internal cases can contribute to constipation. Larger, swollen piles can interfere with anal function, allowing for involuntary stool leakage. Having internal ones can make you feel like there is stool stuck in your anus and can cause bleeding when you pass a bowel movement, or lead to bright red blood appearing in your stool.

Piles can create an uncomfortable feeling of fullness, making it feel like you have to use the bathroom, even when you’ve just passed a bowel movement. And having this condition can make it painful to pass any kind of bowel movement.

Having hemorrhoids can cause constipation, along with other changes to your bowel movements. Additional symptoms may include pain, itching and bleeding. When symptoms are mild, you may be able to find relief with lifestyle-based interventions, as well as over-the-counter hemorrhoid products.

However, when symptoms are more severe, or when you have grade 2-3 internal hemorrhoids, electing to have a medical procedure will be a more effective option. Request a consultationRequest a consultationRequest a consultation at the Texas Hemorrhoid Institute, and learn more about Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization, a less-invasive hemorrhoid treatment option.