Medical professional discussing haemorrhoid treatment options with a patient in a comfortable clinic setting.

Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids are vascular structures that occur naturally in the anal canal and anus. They play a role in continence. Haemorrhoidal disease occurs when these veins swell excessively, causing discomfort or complications.

Internal haemorrhoids, located in the upper part of the anal canal, react to the pressure of faeces and gas, but generally remain painless, even when dilated. On the other hand, external haemorrhoids, located under the skin surrounding the anus, are sensitive and can cause pain. Frequent symptoms include itching, pain or bleeding.

Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Degrees of severity
Treatment
FAQ
Contact a clinic near you

Causes

The exact causes of haemorrhoids are not always known, but there are several factors that increase the risk of their appearance. These include

  • Chronic constipation, due to repeated efforts to evacuate stools,
  • frequent episodes of diarrhoea,
  • prolonged sitting, particularly on the toilet,
  • a lack of physical activity,
  • excess weight, which increases abdominal pressure,
  • a diet low in fibre,
  • pregnancy, when hormonal changes relax connective tissue,
  • and ageing, which gradually weakens the tissue supporting the haemorrhoids.

Symptoms

The symptoms associated with haemorrhoidal disorders vary greatly from person to person. Initially, they are often not bothersome and painless. However, if symptoms become persistent, medical attention is recommended, particularly if blood is present in the stools.

The following signs may indicate swollen haemorrhoids:

  • itching around the anus
  • pain when having a bowel movement
  • visible traces of blood on toilet paper
  • an urgent or uncontrolled urge to have a bowel movement.

Pain during haemorrhoidal attacks

An attack of external haemorrhoids often manifests itself as the appearance of a small swelling near the anus, similar in colour to the skin. This blood clot can cause severe pain, as the anal region has many blood vessels and nerve endings, making it particularly sensitive. In contrast, internal haemorrhoids are generally painless, even in the event of an attack.

Bleeding associated with haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids, which are made up of shallow blood vessels, can bleed easily. Bleeding associated with internal haemorrhoids is generally light and is often only noticeable on toilet paper, during or after bowel movements.

Haemorrhoidal prolapse

In some cases, internal haemorrhoids can become very dilated and temporarily protrude from the anus during straining or pushing, a condition known as haemorrhoidal prolapse. This can lead to irritation, itching or a frequent urge to have a bowel movement, sometimes to no avail.

Diagnosis

Generally, the diagnosis of haemorrhoidal disorders can be made at the first consultation, on the basis of the patient's history. However, the doctor may carry out certain tests to assess the seriousness of the situation more accurately:

  • Rectal examination: inspection of the rectum by palpation
  • Visual examination of the anal canal (rectoscopy): insertion of a rectoscope to enable the doctor to assess the severity of the haemorrhoids
  • Visual examination of the intestine (colonoscopy): if there is blood in the stools, a thorough examination of the intestine is carried out to identify the cause.

The choice of treatment will then depend on the severity of symptoms and the extent of the disorder.

Degrees of severity of haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids are classified into four degrees of severity, reflecting the course of the disease and the associated symptoms:

Grade 1:

This is the initial phase. The haemorrhoids remain inside the anal canal, invisible and generally painless. Symptoms, if they appear, are often limited to slight bleeding or a diffuse sensation of discomfort, usually perceptible during defecation.

Grade 2:

At this stage, the haemorrhoids temporarily protrude from the anal canal during bowel movements, but retract spontaneously afterwards. In addition to bleeding, itching and a feeling of incomplete evacuation may occur after a bowel movement.

Stage 3:

This is a more advanced stage where the haemorrhoids protrude outside the anal canal and can no longer be replaced on their own. They can, however, be put back in place manually. Symptoms include pain, bleeding and a marked feeling of discomfort.

Grade 4:

This is the most severe stage. The haemorrhoids remain constantly outside the anal canal and can no longer be replaced. This often leads to intense pain, inflammation and significant discomfort, generally necessitating surgery.

Each stage requires its own specific treatment. In the event of symptoms, it is essential to consult a doctor for a precise diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Treatment

Treatment of haemorrhoids depends on their severity and the symptoms they cause:

For stages 1 and 2 :

A conservative approach is preferred. Ointments or suppositories with an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and decongestant effect may be used. However, treating the underlying cause, often constipation, is essential to ensure the treatment is effective. A high-fibre diet, adequate hydration and regular exercise help to prevent and reduce constipation.

For stages 3 and 4:

Surgery usually becomes necessary to correct the situation and provide lasting relief from symptoms.

FAQ

How can I tell if I have haemorrhoids?

If you notice bleeding during or after bowel movements, it's best to consult a specialist who will be able to make a more accurate diagnosis.

How can I prevent and avoid haemorrhoids?

Make sure your bowel movements are regular and soft, by eating a diet rich in dietary fibre (fruit, vegetables, wholegrain cereals) and drinking plenty of fluids. Get regular exercise (e.g. walking, running).

We find a specialist for you

Choose a specialty Abdominal cancer Achilles tendon rupture Acupuncture Adapted physical activity Addiction psychiatry and psychotherapy Aesthetic and corrective dermatology Aesthetic medicine Age-related far-sightedness (presbyopia) Allergology and immunology Alter G Andrology Anesthesiology Angiography Angiology Art therapy Babymoon at Swiss Medical Network Biliary surgery Birth: Everything you need to know Bonding psychology Breast cancer Calcific tendonitis of the shoulder Cancer rehabilitation Canine-assisted therapy Cardiological rehabilitation Cardiology Cartilage damage Cataracts Cervical spondylotic myelopathy Check-up Child and adolescent psychiatry Chiropractic Colon surgery Coloproctology Computed tomography Corneal diseases Corneal irregularity (astigmatism) Corneal transplantation Cruciate ligament tear CyberKnife® System Da Vinci Densitometry Dentistry Dermatology and venereology Desire to have children Diabetology Disorders of the parathyroid gland Dry eye Ejaculation disorders Elbow surgery Endocrinology Endometriosis Enlargement of the thyroid gland (goitre) Erectile dysfunction Eye consultations Eye inflammation Eye surgery Far-sightedness (hyperopia) FEMTO-LASIK procedure Fibroids Foot/ankle surgery Frozen shoulder Gastric surgery Gastroenterology and Hepatology General medicine General surgery Geriatric psychiatry Geriatrics Glaucoma Global reconditioning Graves’ disease Gynaecological examinations Gynaecological oncology Gynaecology Hair transplant surgery Hallux valgus Hand surgery Heel pain Hematology Hepatobiliary surgery (liver surgery) Hernias Herniated disc Herniated disc in the lumbar spine Herniated disc in the thoracic spine Hip impingement Hip osteoarthritis Hip prosthesis Hip surgery Homeopathy ICL technique Infectiology Inflammation of the thyroid gland (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) Internal medicine Internal oncological rehabilitation Interrupted breathing during sleep (sleep apnoea) Interventional cardiology Interventional radiology Intervertebral disc prosthesis | Artificial intervertebral disc IVS-3 Kidney and urinary tract diseases Knee arthroscopy Knee pain and knee surgery Knee prosthesis Laser eye treatment methods LBV procedure Long-Covid Rehabilitation Lymphology Lyra Gait Mako Mammography Maternity Medical oncology Medical training therapy (MTT) Meniscus tear Migration psychology MindMotion™ GO Morton’s neuroma MRI Multiple sclerosis Musculoskeletal rehabilitation Near-sightedness (myopia) Neonatology Nephrology Neural therapy Neurological rehabilitation Neurology Neuropaediatrics Neuropsychology Neurosurgery Nuclear medicine Nutritional counseling Obesity and overweight Obstetrics Occupational therapy Onco-haematology Oncology Operations on the eyelids Ophthalmology Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) Oral surgery Orthopaedic rehabilitation Orthopaedic surgery Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis of the ankle Osteoarthritis of the knee Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint Osteopathy Osteoporosis – fractures in the spine Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) Paediatric eye diseases Paediatrics Pain therapy Pancreatic surgery Papillon Parkinson Pathology Pediatric surgery Penile curvature Penile implants Physical and rehabilitation medicine Physiotherapy Pilates Plastic surgery Pneumology Podiatry Postpartum: Everything you need to know for the first time after the birth Pregnancy PRK technique Proctology Prostate cancer Psychiatrie and Psychotherapy for adults Psychiatry and psychotherapy Psycho-oncology Psychology Psychosomatic rehabilitation Psychotherapy Pulmonary rehabilitation Radio-oncology Radioembolisation Radiology Radixact® imaging system REAplan® - robot-assisted rehabilitation of the upper limbs Rehabilitation Rehabilitation after a knee prosthesis Rehabilitation back pain Rehabilitation Hip Prosthesis Retinal and macular diseases Retinal surgery Rheumatology Robots and medical equipment ROSA® Rotator cuff rupture Scoliosis and kyphosis (curvature of the spine) Senology (breast care) Shoulder dislocation Shoulder impingement Shoulder prosthesis Shoulder surgery Sleep diagnostics Sleep disorders Slipped disc in the cervical spine – cervical disc herniation Small intestinal surgery SMILE procedure Speech therapy Spinal stenosis – narrowing of the spinal canal Spinal surgery Spinal tumours and metastases on the spinal column Sports medicine Standard radiology Strabismus (squint) Stroke Surgical oncology Swiss Stem Cells Solutions Switzerland GLA:D® programm Therapies Thoracic surgery Thyroid cancer (thyroid carcinoma) Thyroid nodules Thyroid surgery (endocrine surgery) Torn ligaments/ligament injuries Traditional Chinese medicine Travel Medicine Ultrasound Underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) Urogynaecology Urology Vascular surgery Vasectomy (sterilisation/reversal) Vein surgery VELYS™ Visceral surgery Visual disturbances VitalStim Vitreous changes
Choose a hospital Clinica Ars Medica Clinica Sant'Anna Clinique de Genolier Clinique de Montchoisi Clinique de Valère Clinique Générale Ste-Anne Clinique Générale-Beaulieu Clinique Montbrillant Clinique Valmont Hôpital de La Providence Hôpital de Moutier Hôpital de Saint-Imier International Patients Privatklinik Belair Privatklinik Bethanien Privatklinik Lindberg Privatklinik Obach Privatklinik Siloah Privatklinik Villa im Park Rosenklinik Rapperswil Schmerzklinik Basel
Choose a canton ZH BE LU AG SG BL SH BS SO FR GE TI GR VS VD NE

Call us and make an appointment

Clinique de Genolier

Haemorrhoids

Route du Muids 3
1272 Genolier

info@genolier.net

+41 22 366 90 00

Show moreShow less