How should I treat a hemorrhoid?

I am a 23yr old female and I think that I may have gotten my first ever external hemorhoid. I don’t think its very big and it is not at all painful, just there and uncomfortable. I am wondering if I need to see a doctor or what do I need to do to make it go away? Should I refrain from sexual activity? How long does it take to go away? It has been there for about 5days now. Like it said, it is not painful, just a bit uncomfortable. In fact, I am not even sure that it is a hemorrhoid, but that is my guess from checking out web m.d. Any advise from those who know what they are talking about would be greatly appreciated!

In many cases hemorrhoid treatment involves steps that you can take on your own. But sometimes medications or surgical procedures are necessary.

Medications
If your hemorrhoids are producing only mild discomfort, your doctor may suggest over-the-counter creams, ointments or pads containing witch hazel or a topical anti-inflammatory agent containing hydrocortisone. This local treatment, in combination with daily warm baths, may relieve your symptoms.

Surgical or other procedures
If a blood clot has formed within an external hemorrhoid, your doctor can easily remove the clot with a simple incision, which may provide prompt relief.

For persistent bleeding or painful hemorrhoids, your doctor may recommend:

* Rubber band ligation. Your doctor places one or two tiny rubber bands around the base of an internal hemorrhoid to cut off its circulation and the hemorrhoid falls off. This simple procedure —called rubber band ligation —is done in the doctor’s office and is effective for many people.
* Sclerotherapy. In this procedure, your doctor injects a chemical solution around the blood vessel to shrink the hemorrhoid.
* Infrared light. A one- or two-second burst of infrared light cuts off circulation to small, bleeding, internal hemorrhoids.
* Surgery. If other procedures haven’t been successful or if you have large hemorrhoids, your doctor can remove tissue in a procedure called hemorrhoidectomy. The surgery is done with either a local anesthetic combined with sedation, a spinal anesthetic, or a general anesthetic. Surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis or you may require an overnight hospital stay. While you may experience discomfort after the procedure, medications can be used to relieve your pain. Soaking in a warm bath also can ease your discomfort.
* Stapling. This procedure, which blocks blood flow to hemorrhoidal tissue, is a relatively new treatment technique. While some experts point out that this procedure involves less pain than surgery and allows an earlier return to work, there are drawbacks as well. Stapling has been associated with a greater risk of hemorrhoidal recurrence and prolapse compared with open surgery. Talk with your doctor about what might be the best option for you.

How to Treat Hemorrhoids

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