Let's be real – when you first noticed that pea-sized bump near your backdoor, you probably thought it'd vanish in a week. But weeks turned into months, and that stubborn little guy's still camping out. I get it. Last year, mine overstayed its welcome for five agonizing months after pregnancy. Every bathroom trip felt like a betrayal.
Why won't my external hemorrhoid go away? That's the million-dollar question. Turns out, external hemorrhoids lingering for months (or even years) is crazy common. But most articles just tell you to "eat more fiber" without explaining why that sometimes doesn't cut it. We're digging deeper today.
Why Your External Hemorrhoid Isn't Budging
External hemorrhoids are swollen veins under the skin around your anus. Unlike internal ones, you can feel them. When they stick around, one of these culprits is usually to blame:
The Big Reasons Your External Hemorrhoid Won't Go Away
- Chronic constipation or straining – even if you're "trying" to fix it
- Prolonged sitting (office warriors and truck drivers, I see you)
- Incomplete treatment – stopping sitz baths when symptoms ease
- Undiagnosed food triggers like dairy or gluten causing inflammation
- Thrombosis – a blood clot hardening the hemorrhoid
- Underlying health issues like liver disease or pelvic tumors
Here's what shocked me: My morning coffee ritual was making things worse. Caffeine dehydrates you, leading to harder stools. Took me weeks to connect the dots. Small lifestyle flaws like this can sabotage healing.
Thrombosed Hemorrhoids: The Permanent Squatters
If your "my external hemorrhoid won't go away" is purple and feels like a marble, it's likely thrombosed. These bad boys rarely resolve without intervention. I met a guy whose thrombosed hemorrhoid lasted 11 months before he finally saw a colorectal surgeon. Don't be that guy.
Home Treatments That Actually Work (And What's Snake Oil)
Google will give you 100 remedies. I've tested most. Let's separate heroes from zeroes.
| Treatment | How It Helps | Brands I Like (Price Range) | Real Talk: Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Witch Hazel Pads | Reduces swelling instantly | Tucks ($8-$12), Preparation H Cool Wipes ($7-$10) | Can dry skin; avoid if allergic to witch hazel |
| OTC Creams | Relieves itching and inflammation | Preparation H Maximum Strength ($10-$15), Doctor Butler's ($16-$20) | Hydrocortisone creams thin skin if used >7 days |
| Warm Sitz Baths | Increases blood flow for healing | Plastic sitz bath ($15) or your bathtub (free!) | Annoying to do 3x/day; easy to skip |
| Supplements | Strengthens vein walls | Diosmin (Venixxa - $40/month), Horse Chestnut ($15/month) | Takes 4-6 weeks to see results; pricey |
Now, the snake oil aisle:
- Tea tree oil – burns like hell and can irritate
- "Hemorrhoid cure" teas – overpriced laxatives
- Vinegar compresses – just don't. (Tried it. Screamed.)
My game-changer? Combining Doctor Butler's cream (contains lidocaine) with 15-minute sitz baths after every bowel movement. Took 6 weeks, but my persistent external hemorrhoid finally quit.
Pro Tip: Buy a portable sitz bath for work. Hide it in a cleaning bucket – no one questions a bucket in office bathrooms.
When to Wave the White Flag and See a Doctor
If your external hemorrhoid won't go away after 6 weeks of diligent home care, it's time. Seriously. I put it off for months because "doctors = scary." Big mistake.
Warning Signs You Need Immediate Help
- Bleeding more than a few drops (could be colorectal cancer)
- Unbearable pain when sitting or walking
- Fever with hemorrhoid pain (sign of infection)
- A bulge that turns dark purple (strangulated hemorrhoid)
My doctor visit was awkward but life-changing. He ruled out scary stuff and suggested options I didn't know existed.
Office Procedures That Kick Stubborn Hemorrhoids to the Curb
| Procedure | How It Works | Cost (US) | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber Band Ligation | Cuts off blood supply to hemorrhoid | $600-$1,200 | 1-2 days discomfort |
| Infrared Coagulation (IRC) | Heat shrinks hemorrhoid tissue | $400-$800 per session | 24 hours |
| Excision | Surgical removal of thrombosed hemorrhoids | $2,000-$4,000 | 1-2 weeks off work |
Dr. Chen in Atlanta did my IRC. Three sessions, $375 each with insurance. Hurt less than my daily post-coffee bathroom trip. Best decision ever for my non-disappearing external hemorrhoid.
Nuclear Options: When Surgery Is Your Last Resort
If someone tells you hemorrhoidectomy is "no big deal," they're lying. My neighbor had it. Said it felt like "pooping shards of glass" for 10 days. But if your external hemorrhoid won't go away after years, it might be necessary.
Surgical Showdown: Pros and Cons
- Hemorrhoidectomy (Traditional)
- Pros: Permanent fix for large hemorrhoids
- Cons: 2-week recovery; painful first week
- Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy
- Pros: Less pain than traditional surgery
- Cons: Higher recurrence rate (15-30%)
- THD (Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization)
- Pros: Minimal pain; quick recovery
- Cons: Not effective for large external hemorrhoids
Frankly? Unless your hemorrhoid is golf-ball-sized or constantly thrombosing, try every non-surgical option first. Surgery should be the final boss level.
Preventing the Return of the Hemorrhoid
Here's how to avoid reliving the "my external hemorrhoid won't go away" nightmare:
Your Anti-Hemorrhoid Daily Checklist
- Squatty Potty or footstool ($25-$40) – aligns colon for easier poops
- Psyllium husk powder (NOW Foods - $15/month) – mix in water daily
- Bidet attachment (Luxe Bidet - $35) – replaces abrasive wiping
- Timer app – never sit on toilet >5 minutes
My prevention MVP? A $9 bamboo footstool from IKEA. Life-altering purchase.
FAQs: Your Burning Butt Questions Answered
Can a hemorrhoid last forever if untreated?
Technically yes. Thrombosed hemorrhoids can calcify and become permanent skin tags. Got a friend with a "lump" for 10 years – that's likely what happened.
Will exercise make my persistent external hemorrhoid worse?
Weightlifting? Absolutely. Cycling? Yep. Swimming and walking? Safe. Rule: If it spikes abdominal pressure, skip it.
Can stress cause hemorrhoids not to heal?
100%. Stress = constipation = straining. My hemorrhoid improved dramatically after quitting my hell-job. Coincidence? Doubt it.
Are there foods that prolong hemorrhoid healing?
The unholy trinity: Dairy, gluten, and coffee. Try cutting them for 3 weeks. My inflammation dropped 70% without dairy.
Should I pop a thrombosed hemorrhoid myself?
God no. Infection risk is high. Leave it to professionals with sterile tools.
Is it normal for an external hemorrhoid to linger after pregnancy?
Common? Yes. Normal? Not forever. Get check if still there >6 months postpartum.
Mistakes That Keep You Suffering
Why won't my external hemorrhoid go away? Often, we're sabotaging ourselves:
- Over-relying on creams – creams soothe but don't fix underlying issues
- Ignoring hydration – aim for urine like pale lemonade, not apple juice
- "I'll start fiber tomorrow" – procrastination is hemorrhoid fuel
- Stopping treatment too soon – healing takes weeks, not days
My final take? If your external hemorrhoid won't go away despite doing "everything right," see a specialist. Sometimes genetics or anatomy needs professional backup. Took me two years to admit that. Wish I hadn't waited.
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