Which doctor should a man go to with hemorrhoids?

Which doctor should a woman or man consult for hemorrhoids? Which specialist will help cope with this very delicate problem? What treatment is required and how long will it last? Surely all these questions worry people who are faced with the problem of hemorrhoids. It is not customary to talk about any diseases, and in the case of hemorrhoids, it is a shame to discuss this problem, even with loved ones. It turns out that there is absolutely no one to ask for advice if hemorrhoids appear, which doctor should a woman or a man go to?

Often, out of despair, people start looking for answers on the World Wide Web, looking for symptoms, making their own diagnoses and prescribing treatment. This approach is extremely wrong! As a result of an erroneous diagnosis and incorrect treatment regimen, a person loses precious time, and the disease, in turn, progresses. As a result, the result is complications, an operating table, and rehabilitation. To prevent such an outcome, you need to know exactly which doctor treats hemorrhoids in the clinic.

Modern understanding of hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are a disease associated with varicose veins in the anus and an increase in the size of hemorrhoids, described by patients as “bumps”. It is one of the most common proctological diseases. But not everyone who is faced with this problem knows which doctor treats hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids do not go away on their own.

Which doctor should I go to for hemorrhoid treatment?

Hello, my name is Anastasia, I am 46 years old. For 4 weeks I have been bothered by painful sensations in the anus, and about three days ago I began to notice spotting after going to the toilet. At the same time, small nodules appeared, somewhat painful to the touch. There weren't any before. The pain gets worse when I sit down or walk quickly. I suspect that I have hemorrhoids and would like to ask, who should I contact with such complaints? Which doctor treats hemorrhoids and is it possible to do without surgery in this case? PS My job is sedentary.

Hello, Anastasia. The answer to your question, which doctor treats hemorrhoids is a proctologist or coloproctologist, depending on the type of medical institution. In district and regional hospitals and clinics, as a rule, there are no highly specialized doctors, and all patients with diseases of this nature are observed and treated by a proctologist. The reason for contacting him is any of the above symptoms, and consultation and examination by a doctor should be carried out as early as possible. Early diagnosis ensures early treatment, and therefore a greater likelihood of cure.

Which doctor should I contact if there is no proctologist in the clinic? An alternative option is to see a primary care physician or family doctor, who can also conduct an examination and determine the presence of hemorrhoids.

After the examination, the therapist will write a referral for further examination and explain which doctor you should see.

The difference between a proctologist and a coloproctologist is that the former provides consultation and treats patients with diseases of the rectum, while the functional responsibilities of the latter additionally include diseases of the large intestine. Therefore, if you have other complaints in the form of pain in the lower abdomen, diarrhea, nausea, it would be more appropriate to contact a coloproctologist.

First, let's determine if you really have hemorrhoids

The symptoms you describe are characteristic of the chronic course of hemorrhoids with periods of exacerbations. For its occurrence, there is always a need for some reason, which is revealed during a thorough medical examination. If any, even minor, manifestations of hemorrhoids appear, you should immediately go to the doctor. An experienced specialist will prescribe the necessary examination for you and provide the necessary treatment. For hemorrhoids to occur, there must be a specific cause or a combination of several causes, which will not be difficult for a good specialist to determine. These may include:

Varicose vessels of various locations;
Bad habits (smoking, alcohol abuse);
Sedentary lifestyle;
Sedentary work;
The presence of congenital anomalies in the structure of blood vessels, similar diseases in close relatives.

The likelihood of hemorrhoids increases when two or more factors are combined.

Symptoms of hemorrhoids are characterized, as you described, by a gradual onset with increasing pain in the anus, enlargement of hemorrhoids, which can periodically fall out of the intestines and then reset on their own. At this stage, the effectiveness of conservative treatment (without surgery) is quite high. The transition to more severe stages of hemorrhoids is characterized by the loss of large nodes that are painful to the touch and do not disappear on their own. Also, the progression of the disease is indicated by an increase in the amount of blood released during bowel movements.

Preparing for an examination with a proctologist

When contacting a proctologist, the doctor will definitely conduct an examination. Like any other procedure, an examination by a proctologist requires preparation. The main requirement is to cleanse the intestines on the eve of the examination. It is most convenient to use the Microlax cleansing enema in the evening and morning on the day of the study.

Be sure to have a towel and wet wipes with you. Remember all the manifestations of the disease and the order in which they occur. Take with you your outpatient card containing records of chronic diseases, previous operations, etc.

This is necessary to determine the cause of hemorrhoids and conduct differential diagnosis with other diseases of the rectum.

After the examination, the doctor will determine which scenario requires treatment. Hemorrhoids in the early stages are well treated conservatively. But it is important to consider that treatment should be aimed at combating the cause of the disease. Without identifying the cause and eliminating it, you risk only temporarily relieving the symptoms with the subsequent development of a relapse of the disease with renewed vigor. The use of medications for hemorrhoids should be accompanied by:

Giving up bad habits;
Compliance with a physical activity regime;
Rational nutrition;
Treatment of diseases of the vascular system, infections, including intestinal ones.

The question of surgical treatment will be raised by the doctor only if the drug treatment is ineffective.

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Why did it happen to me?

Recently, the presence of hemorrhoids is increasingly associated with hereditary functional deficiency of connective tissue and a violation of the nervous regulation of the tone of the venous wall and, of course, with the problem of the 21st century - a sedentary lifestyle. But don’t despair, this illness unites many people who have already dealt with this problem, which means you can handle it too.

This pathology affects more than 10 - 11% of the total population aged 20 to 50 years and, interestingly, our stronger sex gets sick 3 - 4 times more often.

Hemorrhoids in men

This is due to several reasons:

work in men involves heavy lifting, which leads to increased intra-abdominal pressure and tension in the anal sphincter, which together affect blood flow in varicose veins;
sedentary work, for example, drivers. With such work, the blood flow in the pelvic organs slows down, which aggravates the existing problem;
In addition, it’s no secret that men neglect healthy foods, especially plant-based ones. Fiber deficiency leads to indigestion, which, in turn, leads to hemorrhoids.

In addition, etiological factors are alcohol abuse, hereditary predisposition (hereditary functional deficiency of connective tissue), systematic hypothermia of the pelvic organs, neoplasms in the pelvis, obesity, chronic pathology of the heart and blood vessels.

Hemorrhoids in women

The main aggravating factor in the development of hemorrhoids in our fair sex is pregnancy and childbirth. According to some data, it occurs in approximately 25% of pregnant women and 49% of women who have given birth.

In pregnant women, this is associated with a gradual increase in the volume of the uterus and, as a consequence, with pressure from the walls of the rectum from the outside and the resulting disturbance of blood circulation in it. And besides this, bearing a child can be equated to constantly carrying a heavy weight, which also contributes to the development of hemorrhoids. During childbirth, the fetal head, being in the pelvis, compresses the vessels of the rectum, and when pushing, the hemorrhoids move down, may fall out, or, in rare cases, they rupture.

Is preliminary preparation necessary before visiting a proctologist?

Having decided which doctor to go to with hemorrhoids, now prepare yourself psychologically. A proctologist faces similar problems every day. Don't be shy or hide your symptoms. There is nothing shameful about your illness. Be sure to remember the names of medications, including multivitamins, that you take.

The doctor must know your daily routine and working conditions. You shouldn’t embellish and tell how you do your morning exercises if this doesn’t actually happen. To more accurately diagnose a disease, the doctor will need information not only about your health status, but also about hereditary diseases in your family.

Main manifestations of hemorrhoids

Experts distinguish between a period of remission and exacerbation. During the period of remission, patients do not complain. But if you don’t follow a diet (drinking alcohol, spicy foods) or excessive physical activity, bleeding may occur.

Typical complaints with hemorrhoids:

bleeding that occurs at the time of defecation or immediately after it (scarlet blood is released, sometimes in a trickle when straining), covering the stool from above;
itching in the anus is associated with the impregnation of the skin with mucous secretions from the intestines (so-called maceration), eczema may develop;
a feeling of heaviness and discomfort in the anus, especially after defecation (foreign body sensation);
prolapse of hemorrhoids.

Pain with hemorrhoids is not a characteristic symptom; it occurs with inflammation, thrombosis of the nodes or their infringement, in the presence of an anal fissure.

It is important not to miss the onset of the disease; it is gradual and imperceptible.

Which doctor treats hemorrhoids in men?

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Inflammation of hemorrhoids is always accompanied by discomfort in men and interferes with daily activities. You should not neglect the manifestations of the disease and self-medicate.

It is wise to find out who treats hemorrhoids and consult with them if the following symptoms occur:

bleeding during bowel movements;
itching and chronic irritation;
severe or chronic pain (more than 48 hours);
complications from hemorrhoids.

The general practitioner makes a diagnosis and rules out other diseases and the cause of anal bleeding. The characteristics of hemorrhoids can be determined through a rectal examination performed by a proctologist (external and internal examination). Internal hemorrhoids are examined using an anoscope or proctoscope.

Doctors recommend undergoing general diagnostics for all people over 40 years of age. If the first examination does not reveal any signs of the disease, the next visit to the proctologist should be scheduled after 5 years. However, if you are prone to developing a hemorrhoidal crisis, such examinations must be completed every year.

Who to contact at the first symptoms of hemorrhoids

Despite the delicacy of this disease, you should not put off going to the doctor, since the sooner you go, the easier it is to treat and the faster your quality of life will improve. Currently, this pathology is dealt with by coloproctologists (or they were previously called proctologists), general practitioners, and gynecologists. First of all, you should go to the clinic and get an appointment with a therapist. It is he who will coordinate your further actions.

If there are no coloproctologists in your locality, do not despair! Surgeons will help you; they are the ones who are extremely successful in treating this pathology in a number of cities and regions.

Help from a general practitioner and gynecologist

The therapist clarifies your complaints, collects anamnesis and conducts a digital rectal examination of the rectum. This procedure is painless and extremely informative, although patients do not like it. If hemorrhoids or the presence of scarlet blood stains are detected, the therapist may refer you for a consultation with a coloproctologist to clarify the diagnosis. A gynecologist examines pregnant women and women in the postpartum period.

A manual rectal examination is performed after acute pain has resolved.

Help from a coloproctologist

To clarify the diagnosis from instrumental diagnostic methods, coloproctologists also use:

anoscopy, which allows you to examine the rectum at a distance of up to 12 cm (deep from the sphincter);
sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy for differential diagnosis of hemorrhoids from other conditions (polyp and rectal cancer, anal fissure, prolapse of the rectal mucosa, acute paraproctitis).

Video colonoscopy is possible. The advantage of this method over traditional colonoscopy is that all information obtained is digitized and transmitted to a high-quality monitor. Also, the image of any area of the intestine can be enlarged, which greatly increases the information content of this method.

Before going to specialists, you need to prepare - cleanse the intestines, preferably using an enema method.

What to do if there is no proctologist

Not every hospital can have a highly specialized doctor. The responsibilities of the proctologist are transferred to the shoulders of other related specialists. A gynecologist, surgeon, or therapist can treat hemorrhoids.

If there is no proctologist in the hospital, you should find out who is treating such a delicate problem in men and women. Go for a consultation with him.

A gynecologist specializes in treating diseases of the female genital organs. But due to the fact that hemorrhoids can develop during pregnancy, after childbirth, due to inflammatory pathologies in the pelvic organs, a gynecologist can prescribe qualified treatment for hemorrhoids.
A therapist is a generalist who treats internal organs. During his training at the educational institution, he undergoes all related areas of medicine. A specialist is able to diagnose hemorrhoids and prescribe treatment to relieve painful symptoms. A comprehensive examination is carried out only if he is officially assigned the duties of a proctologist. In other situations, he is sent for a consultation with a proctologist.
The surgeon also studies diseases of the intestine and colon in the educational institution. Can combine the profession of a proctologist and is able to prescribe qualified treatment. Also, in some cases, it is the surgeon who performs hemorrhoid operations in the last stages of the disease.

To get qualified help, you should find out at the hospital or clinic who deals with coloproctology issues.

Review of drugs used for hemorrhoids

Conservative therapy is indicated in stage 1 of this pathology.

With all the variety of modern drugs, I would like to highlight the following:

Phlebotonic drugs (help restore impaired vein function and normalize their tone). In terms of price-quality ratio, in our opinion, the best drug is Venarus.
Combined drugs (have a hemostatic, vasoconstrictor, venotonic effect) - Procto-glivenol.
Painkillers - Proctosedyl M (a combination of butamben and benzocaine will quickly relieve pain).
Anti-inflammatory drugs - Diclofenac suppositories (proven anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect).
Drugs that strengthen the vascular wall - Troxevasin.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding - Natalsid (a substance obtained from brown seaweed), and from the 2nd - 3rd trimester, Olestesin suppositories (a good combination of sea buckthorn oil, benzocaine and sulphaethidol).

For a more pronounced effect, a combination of the use of suppositories and oral medications is better.

Before use, consult with specialists.

Review of folk remedies for hemorrhoids

Herbal remedies - herbal baths Procto Herbs (lavender oil, oak bark extract, chamomile and horsetail, castor oil - good helpers in treating this problem).
Suppositories with sea buckthorn oil (accelerate the healing of damaged tissues, strengthen cell membranes, have an immunostimulating effect, etc.).
Potato - a small cylinder cut out of it works wonders (similar to the principle of a candle). Scientists have found that large amounts of vitamin C and starch have venotonic and vascular wall-strengthening properties.

Traditional medicine is best combined with conservative therapy.

Minimally invasive surgical methods for treating hemorrhoids

Minimally invasive techniques for hemorrhoids currently used:

sclerotherapy is a method in which a special substance, a sclerosant, is injected into the lumen of the hemorrhoidal node, as a result the node is “sealed” and blood flow through it is stopped. Efficiency is about 90 - 97%;
ligation of nodes with latex rings - an elastic rubber ring is placed on the base of the node using a ligator (a special device), which prevents blood flow in it. Within 10 days, the node dies and is torn away along with the rubber ring. Efficiency 95 - 97%;
infrared photocoagulation - using a photocoagulator, the vessels of the hemorrhoid are cauterized. It is one of the cheapest methods, but is practical only for small nodes. Efficiency 75 - 85%;
cryotherapy, laser coagulation, electrocoagulation are little used due to their low efficiency.

Surgical treatment consists of excision of three groups of cavernous bodies (vascular glomeruli located in the rectum - the basis of hemorrhoids) with all internal nodes and ligation at the base of their vascular pedicles (according to the Milligan-Morgan method).