What Are the Pros and Cons of Sclerotherapy for Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are a condition that occurs when the anal blood vessels or tissues become irritated and begin to swell or inflame. This condition can take place internally or externally, and they are equally painful. Sclerotherapy for hemorrhoids is just one of the many available treatment options for getting rid of swollen hemorrhoidal tissue. Other methods of treatment can be just as successful, but sclerotherapy for hemorrhoids is a less invasive, less painful procedure that causes the problematic hemorrhoid to shrivel and dissipate within a short period of time. Sclerotherapy usually is successful, but it is not a permanent solution and might need to be repeated, and there is a chance of fairly heavy bleeding.

There are different professional treatments that one might receive depending on his or her particular case of hemorrhoids. Patients who have external hemorrhoids and who have tried home treatment on their own with little success might be good candidates to receive sclerotherapy for hemorrhoids. Some home treatments might consist of witch hazel rubs, hemorrhoid creams and sitz baths. After an in-office consultation, the doctor will decide whether sclerotherapy for hemorrhoids is the right form of treatment for the patient.

When a person goes in for treatment, the doctor will administer a shot to the bottom of the infected external hemorrhoid tissue. The shot is filled with a solution of quinine urea or phenol, which will cause the inflamed hemorrhoid tissue to become scarred. After this takes place, the hemorrhoid will eventually shrivel up and disappear.

After receiving this treatment, the patient should make a full recovery within a few days of healing time. The patient will notice that he or she no longer has the pain and swelling that existed before the hemorrhoid was treated. Sclerotherapy is less painful than other methods of treatment and has a high rate of success. In most cases, a low-dose pain reliever can be taken to eliminate any pain that might occur directly after the procedure has taken place.

Having this procedure is safe, but no procedure is perfect. Some patients might notice that relief is short-lived because the hemorrhoids can return after treatment, leaving the patient needing a repeat of the same procedure. Bleeding or rupture of the vein can occur if the doctor mistakenly places the needle in the wrong area of the hemorrhoid. In this case, the procedure would be stopped until the bleeding was under control. Allergic reaction, infection and the inability to have a bowel movement are all possible side effects of sclerotherapy.

As with any treatment, the patient should talk to his or her doctor about all possible side effects. This will ensure that the treatment being received will fit in with the patient’s current lifestyle. Having the correct information will help avoid unwanted outcomes later on.