Haemorrhoids are areas in the anal canal where tissue containing blood vessels has become stretched or swollen. This can occur due to increased pressure in the veins of the anus, as a result of childbirth, chronic constipation, obesity, diarrhoea, heavy lifting, or for no obvious reason at all.

There are two types of haemorrhoids - internal, arising from the lining of the lower rectum and anus, and external, arising from the skin around the opening of the anus.

It is not unusual to have both internal and external haemorrhoids at the same time.

The most common symptoms of haemorrhoids are itching, discomfort, bleeding and, less commonly, anal mucous discharge and soiling of the underwear.

Because of the high rate of bowel cancer in New Zealand in comparison to the rest of the world, rectal bleeding needs to be diagnosed accurately to exclude any other causes.

Once diagnosed, The Haemorrhoid Clinic will assist patients in the appropriate treatment and management of their condition.

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