Haemorrhoid symptoms may calm down for a while, and in some patients early symptoms improve after changes in diet, hydration and reducing straining. This does not mean that every problem will disappear on its own. Recurrent bleeding, pain, prolapse, itching or a lump near the anus require proctological assessment.
This article explains the most common facts and myths about haemorrhoids: when conservative treatment may be enough, when examination is needed and when a procedure may be considered. If you have symptoms of haemorrhoidal disease, book a proctology consultation in Gdańsk.
Author: Dr Kamil Smok, surgeon and proctologist | Medical review: Sara Godyńska, MD, proctologist | Status: Draft — medical review required | Publication date: 29.06.2026 | Last updated: 29.06.2026
Fact: haemorrhoids are normal structures, but haemorrhoidal disease is not
Haemorrhoidal cushions are natural vascular structures in the anal canal. They help maintain anal continence. The problem begins when they become enlarged, bleed, prolapse, cause itching, burning, discharge or discomfort.
It is useful to distinguish between:
- haemorrhoidal cushions — a normal part of anatomy,
- haemorrhoidal disease — when these structures cause symptoms.
More about treatment: haemorrhoid treatment in Gdańsk.
Myth: every rectal bleeding is caused by haemorrhoids
This is one of the most important myths. Bright red blood on toilet paper or in the toilet is often related to haemorrhoids or an anal fissure, but this should not be assumed without examination. Rectal bleeding may have different causes, and some require broader diagnostics.
You should see a proctologist especially when:
- bleeding recurs,
- blood is mixed with stool,
- pain, a lump or discharge appears,
- bowel habits change,
- there is anaemia, weakness, weight loss or general symptoms,
- symptoms return despite “haemorrhoid treatment”.
Read also: rectal bleeding — when does it require diagnostics?
Fact: early symptoms may improve with conservative treatment
In many patients with mild symptoms and early disease, the first step is not a procedure but conservative treatment. The goal is to reduce straining, improve stool consistency and reduce irritation around the anus.
Conservative treatment may include:
- a diet with enough fibre,
- hydration,
- management of constipation or diarrhoea,
- avoiding strong straining,
- shorter time on the toilet,
- topical treatment for itching, burning and irritation,
- in selected patients — pelvic floor physiotherapy if defecation mechanics are abnormal.
This is not “inferior treatment”. In some patients, it is the most important element of therapy and recurrence prevention. More: haemorrhoids — conservative treatment or procedure?
Myth: haemorrhoids always disappear on their own
Symptoms may calm down, but this does not always mean a permanent solution. If the cause is chronic constipation, strong straining, long toilet sitting, diarrhoea or advanced prolapse, symptoms often return.
In more advanced haemorrhoidal disease, simply waiting is usually not the best strategy. This is especially true when there is:
- recurrent bleeding,
- prolapse during bowel movements,
- need to manually reduce haemorrhoids,
- constant moisture, itching or soiling,
- worsening symptoms despite diet changes and topical treatment.
Facts and myths about haemorrhoids — quick summary
| Statement | Fact or myth? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Haemorrhoids always require surgery | Myth | Many cases can be managed conservatively or with minimally invasive methods. |
| Early symptoms may improve after habit changes | Fact | Fibre, hydration and less straining may reduce symptoms in many patients. |
| Every rectal bleeding is haemorrhoids | Myth | Bleeding requires assessment, especially when recurrent or accompanied by other symptoms. |
| Banding is for every patient | Myth | The Barron method is mainly for internal haemorrhoids and requires qualification. |
| Diet and habits remain important after a procedure | Fact | Constipation, straining and long toilet sitting increase recurrence risk. |
Fact: not every anal pain is haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids may cause discomfort, itching, burning, bleeding and prolapse. Severe pain, however, does not always come from internal haemorrhoids. Common causes include anal fissure, perianal thrombosis, abscess, inflammation or skin irritation.
More urgent assessment is needed in case of:
- sudden severe pain with a lump near the anus,
- pain with fever or purulent discharge,
- worsening pain despite treatment,
- pain that makes sitting difficult,
- pain combined with heavy bleeding.
Read also: perianal thrombosis — symptoms and treatment and anal pain when sitting — causes.
Myth: ointments and suppositories solve the problem permanently
Topical preparations may reduce itching, burning, irritation or swelling. They can be helpful symptomatically. However, they do not remove causes such as chronic constipation, straining, long toilet sitting or advanced prolapse.
If a patient repeatedly uses ointments and suppositories and symptoms return after stopping treatment, diagnostics are needed. Treatment should follow diagnosis, not the assumption that “it is definitely haemorrhoids”.
Fact: sometimes a procedure is needed
A procedure may be needed when symptoms are significant, recurrent or do not improve despite conservative treatment. This does not automatically mean classic surgery. In selected patients, minimally invasive methods may be considered, such as banding, sclerotherapy, coagulation or laser treatment.
A procedure may be considered when:
- haemorrhoids prolapse and cause discomfort,
- bleeding recurs,
- conservative treatment does not help enough,
- symptoms interfere with daily life,
- examination confirms haemorrhoids suitable for procedural treatment.
More: haemorrhoid banding — Barron method and laser or haemorrhoid banding?
Myth: after a procedure, nothing else needs to change
A procedure may reduce haemorrhoids and symptoms, but it does not automatically remove all risk factors. If hard stools, strong straining, long toilet sitting or uncontrolled diarrhoea continue, symptoms may return.
That is why the following remain important after treatment:
- soft, regular stool,
- fibre and fluids,
- avoiding straining,
- shorter time on the toilet,
- physical activity,
- treatment of constipation or diarrhoea,
- pelvic floor physiotherapy in selected patients.
Diagnostics — how to check whether it is haemorrhoids?
It is not possible to responsibly assess haemorrhoid grade based only on symptoms. A proctology consultation and examination are the foundation.
During the visit, the doctor may perform:
- medical history,
- inspection of the anal area,
- digital rectal examination, if indicated and possible,
- anoscopy,
- qualification for conservative treatment, a procedure or further diagnostics.
In recurrent bleeding, alarm symptoms or unclear source of blood, the doctor may recommend broader diagnostics.
Who can you see at Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej?
At Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej in Gdańsk, proctology consultations are provided by doctors dealing with diagnosis and treatment of anal and rectal diseases:
- Sara Godyńska, MD, proctologist,
- Justyna Szul, MD, proctologist,
- Dr Kamil Smok, surgeon and proctologist.
A visit does not mean automatic qualification for a procedure. The goal is to identify the cause of symptoms and choose treatment: conservative, physiotherapeutic, office-based, laser, surgical or further diagnostics.
Booking:
Book a proctology consultation
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Frequently asked questions
Can haemorrhoids go away on their own?
Symptoms may calm down, especially in early stages and after diet, hydration and straining reduction. This does not mean every problem will disappear permanently without treatment.
Does every rectal bleeding mean haemorrhoids?
No. Rectal bleeding may have different causes. If it recurs, is heavy, comes with pain, bowel habit changes, anaemia or weight loss, it requires medical assessment.
Do haemorrhoids always require surgery?
No. Many cases can be treated conservatively or with minimally invasive methods. Surgery is needed only in some patients after proper qualification.
Are ointments enough for haemorrhoids?
They may relieve symptoms, but they do not always solve the cause. If bleeding, prolapse, itching or pain return, diagnostics are needed.
Can haemorrhoids come back?
Yes. Recurrence risk increases if constipation, straining, long toilet sitting, diarrhoea, excess weight or abnormal defecation mechanics continue.
When should I see a proctologist?
When bleeding recurs, pain appears, there is a lump, haemorrhoids prolapse, itching or discharge occurs, or symptoms do not improve despite treatment.
Haemorrhoids may calm down, but guessing is not the answer
Bleeding, pain, a lump or recurrent symptoms require assessment. A proctologist will check whether conservative treatment is enough or a procedure is needed.
Book a proctology consultation →Summary
Haemorrhoid symptoms may periodically improve, and in early stages conservative treatment often helps reduce bleeding, itching, burning and discomfort. This does not mean that every problem will go away on its own or that recurrent symptoms should be ignored.
The biggest myths are that every rectal bleeding is haemorrhoids, that haemorrhoids always disappear by themselves, or that every patient needs surgery. In reality, treatment should be selected after examination: from diet and habit changes, through physiotherapy in selected patients, to banding, laser or other methods in properly qualified patients.
If you have symptoms, start with diagnostics. See also the hub: proctologist Gdańsk and the service page: haemorrhoid treatment in Gdańsk.
Read also
Sources and medical context:
- American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons — Management of Hemorrhoids, 2024
- NIDDK — Treatment of Hemorrhoids
- NIDDK — Eating, Diet & Nutrition for Hemorrhoids
- Cleveland Clinic — Hemorrhoids: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
- Cleveland Clinic — Hemorrhoid Banding
- Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej — proctology consultation in Gdańsk
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical consultation. Rectal bleeding, severe pain, a lump, black stool, anaemia, weight loss, fever, purulent discharge or rapid deterioration of general condition require individual medical assessment. Draft version — medical review required before publication.