Overview

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in or around the rectum and anus. Many improve with conservative treatment, but some become persistent, recurrent, or severe enough to interfere with daily life.

For patients with refractory hemorrhoids, embolization may offer a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgical approaches.

ELMNT IR offers image-guided treatment designed to reduce excess blood flow to hemorrhoidal vessels in carefully selected patients.

Symptoms of Hemorrhoids

Symptoms may include:

• Rectal bleeding
• Pain or discomfort
• Itching or irritation
• Swelling or protrusion
• Pressure or fullness
• Recurrent symptoms despite conservative care
• Symptoms that affect daily activity or quality of life

Persistent bleeding or pain should be evaluated to confirm the cause and rule out other conditions.

When to Seek Treatment

Evaluation is recommended when hemorrhoid symptoms are recurrent, severe, or not improving with conservative measures.

Patients should seek medical evaluation for:

• Ongoing rectal bleeding
• Significant pain or swelling
• Recurrent symptoms after prior treatment
• Symptoms that interfere with daily life
• Concern for another gastrointestinal or colorectal condition

How Hemorrhoids are Diagnosed

Diagnosis typically involves:

• Clinical history and symptom assessment
• Physical exam
• Anorectal evaluation when appropriate
• Colonoscopy or additional evaluation when bleeding requires further workup
• Review of prior treatments and symptom recurrence

ELMNT IR works closely with referring physicians to ensure patients are appropriately evaluated before embolization is considered.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on severity, hemorrhoid type, and prior response to therapy. Options may include:

• Dietary changes and stool softeners
• Topical medications
• Office-based procedures such as banding
• Surgical hemorrhoidectomy in select cases
• Minimally invasive embolization for refractory cases

A Minimally Invasive Option

Hemorrhoidal Artery Embolization (HAE) reduces blood flow to the hemorrhoidal vessels, helping relieve symptoms without traditional hemorrhoid surgery.

Key advantages:

• Minimally invasive, catheter-based treatment
• No traditional surgical excision
• Outpatient approach in many cases
• May reduce bleeding and recurrent symptoms
• Designed for select refractory cases

🔬Learn more about Hemorrhoidal Artery Embolization (HAE) 

Who is a Candidate

You may be a candidate for hemorrhoidal artery embolization if:

• Symptoms are persistent or recurrent
• Conservative care has not provided enough relief
• Prior office-based treatments have not been sufficient
• Surgery is not preferred or may not be ideal
• Evaluation confirms hemorrhoids as the source of symptoms

A consultation and appropriate colorectal or gastrointestinal evaluation may be needed before treatment.

Why ELMNT IR

ELMNT IR is designed to bring advanced interventional radiology procedures out of the hospital and into a more accessible, patient-centered setting.

• Specialized focus on image-guided therapies
• Experience with embolization procedures
• Streamlined referral and scheduling process
• Outpatient environment designed for comfort and efficiency
• Close coordination with referring physicians

Next Steps

If hemorrhoid symptoms keep returning or have not responded to conservative treatment, evaluation can help determine whether embolization may be appropriate.

✉️ Request a consultation or speak with your physician about referral to ELMNT IR.