Treatment of external haemorrhoids in men

Haemorrhoids are considered a fairly common problem: about 15% of people face this condition at least once in their lifetime. Due to the delicacy of the disease, many try to cope with the symptoms on their own at first, without seeking help from a doctor. It is important to remember: proper treatment prescribed by a doctor after an examination allows symptoms to be quickly relieved and prevents recurrence of haemorrhoids in the future.

What is external haemorrhoids?

External haemorrhoids is called the pathological enlargement of haemorrhoids, which are located externally (that is, outside the anal canal). This occurs because the external haemorrhoidal veins lose elasticity and tone, dilating under the influence of risk factors. External haemorrhoids should be distinguished from internal ones. External ones will be covered with skin, whereas internal ones are surrounded by mucous membrane. Usually, bleeding does not occur during defecation, as the enlarged nodes are not subjected to trauma. However, the frequency of thrombosis is high with external haemorrhoids.

Causes of external haemorrhoids in men

Factors that provoke the appearance of external haemorrhoids:

1. Heavy physical exertion. With excessive training, intra-abdominal pressure increases, which can lead to overstretching of the haemorrhoidal veins.
2. Constipation and prolonged sitting on the toilet. Pressure in the rectum increases, blood flows to the haemorrhoids. They grow in size and become visible to the naked eye. The problem of constipation is aggravated by prolonged straining during defecation.
3. Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. Alcohol causes dilation of blood vessels, including haemorrhoidal ones. With existing haemorrhoids, alcohol can cause massive bleeding.
4. Pregnancy and childbirth. As the uterus grows in size, the pressure in the abdominal cavity increases. In women who have given birth, haemorrhoids are diagnosed 5 times more often than in women who have not given birth.
5. Sedentary lifestyle. Sedentary work, lack of regular physical activity leads to blood stagnation in the pelvic area.
6. Excess weight. In people with obesity, the venous system experiences tremendous stress. The vessel wall quickly loses elasticity and stretches.

In recent years, the incidence of external haemorrhoids has increased. People have become less active, eat foods low in dietary fiber, which is necessary for preventing constipation. Genetics also play a role: the risk of developing haemorrhoids is higher in those whose relatives also suffered from this condition.

Symptoms of External Haemorrhoids in Men

External haemorrhoids are accompanied by the following symptoms:

• itching and burning in the anal area, which is highly sensitive;
• pain syndrome – increased pain is caused by friction of haemorrhoids on clothing during the day;
• swelling of the tissues around the anus – may be a consequence of the inflammatory process;
• the appearance of dense nodes is the result of the formation of blood clots in them.

Blood clots can dissolve on their own over time. Their presence causes severe pain to a person when sitting, sneezing, defecation and coughing (that is, in situations where intra-abdominal pressure increases). When the nodes are inflamed and constantly traumatized as a result of friction, anal fissures can form, which only adds discomfort and pain.

Treatment of external haemorrhoids in men

Drug treatment

They help fight the manifestations of external haemorrhoids:

• phlebotonics are drugs that have a positive effect on the tone of the veins;
• rectal suppositories, ointments or creams – relieve pain, provide an anti-inflammatory, decongestant and antipruritic effect;
• careful hygiene of the anal area – daily shower, use of soft toilet paper to prevent skin trauma;
• medicinal baths – during periods of exacerbation they are carried out 2-3 times a day;
• ice compress – helps relieve pain, inflammation and swelling of tissues.

Which drug is suitable for the patient depends on the specific clinical situation. In any case, a preliminary consultation with a doctor is required. Individual intolerance to the drug is possible; each medicine has its own purpose. Based on symptoms, you should not select the drug yourself. For example, blood in the stool is not a clear sign of haemorrhoids. It may be a manifestation of colorectal cancer or ulcerative colitis. Self-medication in this case will only worsen the prognosis. Also, even minor but regular blood loss in stool can lead to severe anemia over time. Therefore, when the first symptoms occur, consultation with a specialist is necessary.

Effective and quick treatment of external haemorrhoids

In advanced cases, when the nodes are large and there are signs of inflammation, thrombosis and other complications of external haemorrhoids, surgical treatment is indicated. The final decision on the need for surgery is made by the proctologist.

At stages 1-2 of external haemorrhoids, laser thrombectomy is possible. Such an intervention relieves a person of pain and inflammation immediately after surgery, which lasts only 15-20 minutes. The advantages of laser surgery for external haemorrhoids are that such an operation does not require anesthesia and hospitalization: the person can go home the same day. Laser thrombectomy does not involve any incisions in the skin, so the risks of bleeding and bacterial infection are reduced to zero. The patient recovers quickly after the operation and returns to his usual activities the next day.

The operation using the HAL-RAR method – ligation of haemorrhoidal vessels – is widely used. Disruption of blood flow to the nodes impairs their nourishment and leads to their shrinkage. As a result, all symptoms of external haemorrhoids disappear. Under ultrasound guidance, the doctor identifies the arteries supplying the haemorrhoids and ties them off. The advantage of this operation is its targeted effect and minimal tissue trauma. At the same time, the blood supply to the rectum is not affected.

In stage 3-4 haemorrhoids, it is possible to perform surgery according to Milligan-Morgan. Its essence lies in excising all nodes as a single complex. There are closed and open techniques for performing the operation, as well as a submucosal variant of its implementation.

You can make an appointment for a consultation with a specialist who will select the best method for treating external haemorrhoids for you. In our clinic, treatment is painless: we perform spinal-epidural anesthesia with the installation of an epidural block. Therefore, you should not delay treatment of haemorrhoids.