This article was published on October 11th, 2017

Whether it’s to be liked or not, hemorrhoids have been causing folks unnecessary angst in their anal cavities dating back to ancient Egyptian times. Their sudden, and without warning, arrival, resulting in burning, itching, bleeding, and general discomfort in your most sensitive area is no bueno. Regretfully, hemorrhoids will probably come into your live at some point. Knowing how they develop and what you can do to treat them is a vital part of aging. Most importantly, hemorrhoids are no longer a pain in the ass.

On average, 3 out of 5 people will get hemorrhoids. If you are a gay man who prefers passive sexual activities, your chances of getting a hemorrhoid greatly increase.

Hemorrhoids, or piles, are normal vascular cushions of tissue in the rectal cavity that help with stool control. Hemorrhoids are normal but are misnomered when they become swollen or inflamed as ‘having hemorrhoids’. Everyone has hemorrhoids; it’s when they become enlarged that they become an uncomfortable nuisance. Pre-diagnosing them before they become an issue can prove to be exceedingly difficult. A number of factors can be attributed to their formation, including increased pushing and pressure on the abdomen, a lack of fiber in the diet, diarrhea, constipation, and too much friction to the area.

There are a lot of ways to treat hemorrhoids; their state and condition can be diagnosed through an examination by a physician or general practitioner. While there are two types of hemorrhoids, internal and external, often the easiest and best way to deal with them is by leaving them alone. Untouched and unbothered, 80% of hemorrhoid symptoms will disappear within a few days. Most doctors will recommend an intake of more water and more fiber added to patient’s diets to ensure smoother, more solid bowel movements.

There are other more invasive alternatives to hemorrhoid treatment. Surprisingly, sits baths and topical creams like Preparation H offer little scientific proof of their effectiveness, other than initial psychosomatic relief. Witch-hazel and other topical, natural ointments can be used, but offer about as much scientific proof of working as over the counter drug creams. Rubber band ligation offers nearly 90% effectiveness by cutting off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid by literally rubber banding it off. Sclerotherapy uses and injection of vein-shrinking agents to deflate the hemorrhoid bulb. Surgery is another option, with cauterization being a last resort for extreme cases.

Your best bet if you feel a hemorrhoid coming on is to leave it alone, and to increase water and fiber intake. It could be useful to try using a topical cream, but don’t depend on it to save the day in the end. If, within a few days, symptoms haven’t subsided, visit your doctor to see if you do indeed have a hemorrhoid and what is the best and most effective way to treat it. Sound like a pain in the ass? Welcome to adulthood!