How Long Does It Take for Hemorrhoids to Go Away?

• Small internal (grade 1): A few days to about a week, often with home care alone.
• Larger or prolapsing internal (grade 2 to 4): Weeks; grade 3 and 4 frequently need an in-office procedure.
• External, uncomplicated: Small ones in days; larger ones about two to four weeks.
• Thrombosed external (clotted): Pain peaks in 48 to 72 hours; the clot reabsorbs over two to three weeks.
• After rubber band ligation: Soreness for roughly a week; full healing in one to two weeks.

Internal hemorrhoids sit above the point where you feel pain, so they are more likely to bleed than to hurt, and small ones often clear quietly. External hemorrhoids sit under sensitive skin, which is why they are the ones people notice and why they can take the longest.

You can shorten recovery by removing the pressure that caused the hemorrhoid in the first place:

• Keep stools soft. Eat more fiber from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, and drink enough water. A short course of a stool softener or bulk-forming fiber supplement helps when diet alone is not enough.
• Do not strain or linger on the toilet. Go when you feel the urge, and get up when you are done. Reading on the toilet keeps the veins under pressure.
• Take warm sitz baths. Sitting in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes a few times a day eases itching and swelling.
• Use over-the-counter relief. Creams, ointments, medicated witch hazel wipes, and short-term hydrocortisone products reduce burning and swelling while the hemorrhoid heals.
• Skip heavy lifting until it settles. Straining to lift raises abdominal pressure the same way straining to pass stool does.

If a thrombosed hemorrhoid is keeping you up at night, positioning and a numbing cream can help until you are seen. We cover this in detail in our guide on how to sleep with hemorrhoids.

Most hemorrhoids are harmless and temporary. A few situations, though, are worth a call to a gastroenterologist rather than waiting them out:

• Bleeding that keeps happening or is heavy. Minor spotting on toilet paper is common with hemorrhoids, but repeated or heavy bleeding should be checked, because the same symptom can come from colorectal polyps or cancer.
• Pain or discomfort that does not improve after a week or two of home care.
• A hemorrhoid that protrudes and will not go back in. Prolapsed hemorrhoids often need an in-office procedure.
• Sudden, severe pain and a firm lump. This can be a thrombosed hemorrhoid, and treatment is most effective in the first 48 to 72 hours.
• You are not sure it is a hemorrhoid at all. An exam settles the question quickly.

Bringing up anorectal symptoms feels awkward, and many people put it off for exactly that reason. Dr. Israel evaluates hemorrhoids in a straightforward, judgment-free way and takes the time to make sure nothing more serious is being missed. Hemorrhoids do not cause abdominal pain or turn into cancer, but the bleeding they cause can look identical to bleeding that does matter, so it is worth being sure. See our note on whether hemorrhoids cause stomach pain for more.

If your hemorrhoid is not improving after a couple of weeks, is bleeding, or is painful enough to disrupt your day, you do not have to wait it out. Dr. Yuriy Israel and the team at Gastroenterology & Nutrition, P.C. in Forest Hills, Queens offer same-week consultations and Sunday procedure hours, and accept most major insurance. Call (718) 261-0900 or schedule a consultation.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please schedule a consultation with our team to discuss your individual needs.