What are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are swollen, enlarged veins that form inside and outside of your anus and rectum. They can be painful and uncomfortable and cause rectal bleeding. Hemorrhoids are also called piles. We’re all born with hemorrhoids, but at

baseline, they don’t bother us. It’s only when they become swollen and enlarged that they produce irritating symptoms.

How common are hemorrhoids?

An estimated 1 in 20 Americans has symptomatic hemorrhoids. They affect people of all ages, sexes, races and ethnicities. They’re more common as you age, affecting more than half of people over age 50.

Who might get hemorrhoids?

Anyone can get symptomatic hemorrhoids, even teenagers. (But because hemorrhoids take a while to develop, they’re uncommon in children.) You may be more at risk if you:

Have overweight/obesity.

Are pregnant.

Eat a low-fiber diet.

Have chronic constipation or diarrhea.

Regularly lift heavy objects.

Spend a lot of time sitting on the toilet.

Strain while having bowel movements.

Straining puts pressure on veins in your anus or rectum, causing hemorrhoids. You might think of them as varicose veins that affect your bottom.

Any sort of straining that increases pressure on your belly or lower extremities can cause anal and rectal veins to become swollen and inflamed. Hemorrhoids may develop due to:

Pelvic pressure from weight gain, especially during pregnancy.

Pushing hard to have a bowel movement (poop) because of constipation.

Straining to lift heavy objects or weightlifting.