Do hemorrhoids require surgery?
Aug 20, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Li Jingxiang
Introduction
If hemorrhoid symptoms are mild, with only occasional rectal bleeding or slight discomfort, most patients can effectively alleviate symptoms and maintain a normal life without surgery through dietary adjustments, improved bowel habits, topical medications, and sitz baths. However, when hemorrhoids repeatedly cause significant bleeding leading to anemia, or when the hemorrhoidal mass prolapses and cannot be reduced, resulting in incarceration and severe pain, conservative treatments are often ineffective.
Generally, whether hemorrhoids require surgery depends on the severity of the condition. Mild cases can be controlled through conservative treatment, while severe cases require surgical intervention. If any abnormalities occur, timely medical attention is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:
If the hemorrhoids are mild, with symptoms such as occasional bleeding or slight discomfort, most patients can effectively relieve symptoms through dietary adjustments, improved bowel habits, topical medications, and sitz baths, without requiring surgery to maintain a normal life.
However, when hemorrhoids repeatedly cause heavy bleeding leading to anemia, or when the swollen veins protrude and cannot be pushed back in, resulting in incarceration and severe pain, conservative treatments often prove ineffective. At this stage, if surgery is not performed, the condition may continuously affect quality of life and even lead to further complications. Surgery is usually required to remove or reposition the affected tissue and address the underlying issue.
After discovering hemorrhoids, one should first seek medical advice to determine the severity of the condition, avoiding both unnecessary delays and rushing into surgery. Daily attention should be given to perianal care, maintaining a regular routine, and preventing worsening or recurrence of symptoms.
