Hemorrhoid correction surgery is necessary if non-surgical treatments are not effective. Since hemorrhoid surgery recover time can be painful and can also be risky, it's a good idea to try less invasive procedures first. Surgery should be a last resort.

• Hydrocortisone cream. This can be used to relieve the swelling and itching of hemorrhoids. It is generally used for external hemorrhoids and is available over-the-counter.



• Hydrocortisone suppositories. They can be used to treat internal hemorrhoids, and are also available over-the-counter.



• Prescription medications. Talk with your doctor about prescription medications to treat external and/or internal hemorrhoids.

Prevention of hemorrhoids can eliminate the need for hemorrhoid correction surgery. These prevention tips will also help treat hemorrhoids and can decrease the hemorrhoid surgery recover time if surgery is required.

• Make sure you get enough fiber in your diet. Fiber is found in foods like whole grain breads, bran cereals, beans, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Also make sure to drink plenty of water.
• If you experience constipation and are concerned you aren't getting enough fiber in your diet, consider adding a fiber supplement such as Citrucel or Metamucil.
• If you have hard stools, try an over-the-counter stool softener such as Senokot or Colace.
• Avoid sitting for long periods of time. Regular exercise will also help regulate the bowels.

Hemorrhoid corrective surgery is usually required when hemorrhoids are particularly large and if they bleed.

• Hemorrhoidectomy. During this surgery, an incision is made around the anus to cut away the hemorrhoid. You may be given local anesthesia so you can be awake during the procedure or you may be given general anesthesia so you will be asleep. General anesthesia carries more risks than local. Recovery after hemorrhoid surgery will be painful, and there is a significant risk of infection during the hemorrhoid surgery recover time.



• Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids (PPH). This procedure is used when hemorrhoids protrude outside of the anus. A stapler-like device is used to replace them inside the anus and to cut off their blood supply. The hemorrhoids then shrivel and die. Because the hemorrhoids are moved higher in the anus where there are fewer nerve endings, there is less pain then with a hemorrhoidectomy. There is still a significant risk of infection during hemorrhoid surgery recover time. In rare cases, damage to the internal anal sphincter may occur, leading to the inability to control the bowels.



• Laser surgery. Lasers are used to burn away hemorrhoids. Several treatments may be necessary, but this is a less invasive and less painful procedure than the surgeries mentioned above. Hemorrhoid surgery recover time will be shorter, as well. The problem with laser surgery is that hemorrhoids will often return, requiring more treatment in the future.



• Since hemorrhoid correction surgery carries so many risks and the recovery after hemorrhoid surgery can be so painful, more and more people prefer to try natural products first whenever possible. Natural products don't have the side effects of traditional medical treatments, and may have other health benefits as well.

See a doctor if other methods of treatment don't work to see if you need hemorrhoid correction surgery. See your doctor if there is blood in your stool to rule out other, more serious conditions.