Hemorrhoids Treatment Specialists in Los Angeles

What are Hemorrhoids?

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.

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

Our board-certified interventional radiologists in Los Angeles offer image-guided treatment designed to reduce excess blood flow to hemorrhoidal vessels in carefully selected patients.

Hemorrhoids are common and can range from mild, temporary symptoms to persistent problems that repeatedly cause bleeding, discomfort, or swelling. While conservative treatments are often the first step, patients whose symptoms continue or return despite treatment may benefit from an evaluation to explore additional options.

Internal Hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids develop inside the rectum and may not cause noticeable pain because there are fewer pain-sensitive nerves in this area. Common symptoms can include bright red blood during bowel movements, itching, irritation, or a feeling of fullness. In some cases, an internal hemorrhoid may prolapse, meaning it extends outside the anus, which can lead to additional discomfort.

External Hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids develop under the skin around the anus, where there are more pain-sensitive nerves. Because of their location, they are more likely to cause pain, swelling, itching, irritation, or a noticeable lump near the anus. If a blood clot forms inside an external hemorrhoid, known as a thrombosed hemorrhoid, symptoms can include sudden, more severe pain and swelling.

Symptoms of Hemorrhoids

Symptoms may include:

• Rectal Bleeding: Bright red blood may be noticed during or after a bowel movement. Persistent or unexplained rectal bleeding should always be medically evaluated.
• Pain or Discomfort: Hemorrhoids may cause soreness, tenderness, or discomfort around the anus, particularly during bowel movements.
• Itching or Irritation: Inflamed hemorrhoidal tissue can cause persistent itching or irritation around the anal area.
• Swelling or Protrusion: Hemorrhoids may become swollen or protrude outside the anus, particularly during bowel movements.
• Pressure or Fullness: Some patients experience a sensation of pressure or fullness in the rectal area.
• Recurrent Symptoms: Bleeding, discomfort, or swelling may return even after conservative or office-based treatment.
• Quality of Life: Persistent symptoms can interfere with exercise, work, sitting comfortably, bowel movements, and other everyday activities.

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

Rectal bleeding should not automatically be assumed to be caused by hemorrhoids. Other gastrointestinal and colorectal conditions can produce similar symptoms, making an appropriate medical evaluation important before treatment. For patients with confirmed hemorrhoids, the frequency and severity of symptoms, along with their response to previous treatments, can help guide the next step.

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.

This evaluation is particularly important when hemorrhoidal artery embolization is being considered. Confirming that hemorrhoids are responsible for the symptoms helps determine whether a targeted, image-guided treatment is appropriate and whether additional gastrointestinal or colorectal evaluation is necessary.

Hemorrhoids Treatment Options in Los Angeles

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

• Dietary Changes and Stool Softeners: Increasing dietary fiber, maintaining adequate hydration, and using stool softeners when appropriate may help reduce straining and improve bowel movements.
• Topical Medications: Topical treatments may provide temporary relief from symptoms such as itching, irritation, or discomfort.
• Office-Based Procedures: Treatments such as rubber band ligation may be considered for certain types of hemorrhoids.
• Surgical Hemorrhoidectomy: Surgical removal of hemorrhoids may be recommended in select cases depending on the severity and type of hemorrhoids.
• Minimally Invasive Embolization: Hemorrhoidal Artery Embolization (HAE) may be considered for select patients with persistent or recurrent symptoms that have not responded adequately to conservative treatment.

 The appropriate hemorrhoid treatment depends on the individual patient. The type and severity of hemorrhoids, predominant symptoms, previous treatments, overall health, and personal treatment preferences can all factor into determining which approach may be appropriate.

Hemorrhoid Relief Through Minimally Invasive Hemorrhoidal Artery Embolization (HAE) Treatment

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 for Hemorrhoid Treatment in Los Angeles

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.

 Patients do not need to determine on their own whether their hemorrhoids qualify for embolization. ELMNT IR can review symptoms, medical history, previous treatments, and relevant testing to determine whether further evaluation for HAE may be appropriate.

Why Choose ELMNT IR for Hemorrhoid Pain Relief

ELMNT IR is designed to bring advanced interventional radiology procedures in Los Angeles 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