Hemorrhoids usually get worse when there’s more pressure, irritation, or straining around the rectum and anus. Addressing these triggers early can shorten a flare-up and prevent complications like thrombosis or prolapse.

What Makes Hemorrhoids Worse? (Quick Scoop)

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins, so anything that increases pressure in that area or irritates the tissue can flare them up.

1. Bowel Habits That Aggravate Hemorrhoids

  • Straining on the toilet : Pushing hard to pass stool increases pressure in the rectal veins and can cause hemorrhoids to swell or bleed.
  • Sitting on the toilet too long : Scrolling your phone on the toilet keeps blood pooling in the anal veins and makes symptoms worse.
  • Chronic constipation : Hard, dry stools scrape and stretch the anal canal, forcing you to strain more.
  • Chronic diarrhea : Frequent, loose stools can irritate and inflame the anal area, worsening pain and burning.

“Shit or get off the pot” actually captures a real medical point: don’t linger and don’t strain.

2. Lifestyle Pressures and Daily Habits

  • Sitting for long periods : Desk jobs or long drives put continuous pressure on the rectal area.
  • Heavy lifting : Repeatedly lifting heavy weights at the gym or work increases abdominal pressure and can aggravate or trigger hemorrhoids.
  • Sedentary lifestyle : Little movement slows gut motility, increasing constipation risk and hemorrhoid flares.
  • Obesity : Extra weight around the abdomen raises pressure in pelvic veins and can worsen hemorrhoids.
  • Pregnancy : The uterus presses on pelvic veins, and hormonal changes plus constipation can make hemorrhoids more painful in late pregnancy and after delivery.

3. Food, Drinks, and Irritants

  • Low-fiber diet : Lots of white bread, processed foods, red meat, and fast food lead to harder stools and more straining.
  • Fried and greasy foods : Often low in fiber and can slow digestion, encouraging constipation and painful bowel movements.
  • Too little water : Dehydration dries stools, making them harder to pass and increasing the risk of tearing and swelling.
  • Excess alcohol : Alcohol can dehydrate you and slow intestinal movement, both of which worsen constipation and hemorrhoids.
  • Very spicy foods (during a flare) : Capsaicin can pass through undigested and burn as it exits, intensifying pain and itching around already inflamed hemorrhoids.

4. Skin Irritation and Stress Factors

  • Harsh wiping or dry toilet paper : Scrubbing the area or using rough paper increases irritation, itching, and swelling.
  • Scented wipes, soaps, or tight synthetic underwear : Fragrances and trapped moisture can inflame the skin around the anus.
  • Ignoring early symptoms : Waiting while pain, bleeding, or a lump worsens can lead to thrombosed or prolapsed hemorrhoids that are harder to treat.
  • High stress and anxiety : Stress can alter gut motility and bowel habits (swinging between constipation and diarrhea), provoking recurrent flares.

5. Activities and Positions That Can Flare Symptoms

  • High-impact or perineum-pressure sports : Running, cycling, horseback riding, and similar activities can increase friction and pressure directly on hemorrhoids.
  • Certain sitting positions : Leaning back and slumping can focus pressure on the rectal veins and increase pain.
  • Anal intercourse during a flare : Direct trauma to inflamed hemorrhoidal tissue can worsen pain and bleeding.

6. When to Worry and What to Do

  • Contact a doctor urgently if you have heavy rectal bleeding, black/tarry stools, severe pain with a hard lump, fever, or weight loss, because not all rectal bleeding is from hemorrhoids and serious conditions need to be ruled out.
  • Helpful immediate changes often include:
    • Increasing fiber and fluids
    • Avoiding straining and long toilet sessions
    • Limiting heavy lifting and high-impact exercise during flares
    • Using gentle, unscented cleaning and warm sitz baths

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.