If you’re struggling with persistent pain and bleeding from internal hemorrhoids, you may feel frustrated with traditional treatments that haven’t provided lasting relief. At the Orange County Interventional Radiology Center, we offer hemorrhoid embolization — an innovative solution that can help you regain your comfort and confidence without the downtime associated with surgery.
Book AppointmentHemorrhoids are swollen veins in the rectum and anus that can cause discomfort and bleeding, particularly during bowel movements. Also called piles, hemorrhoids can form outside of the anus or deeper inside the rectum. While hemorrhoids may resolve on their own with a high-fiber diet, lifestyle changes and creams that temporarily relieve itching and swelling, severe hemorrhoids — especially those that occur internally — might require further treatment.
Hemorrhoid embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that reduces blood flow to internal hemorrhoids, causing them to shrink naturally. Unlike traditional hemorrhoid surgery, there’s no need for incisions or tissue removal, making it an excellent option for patients seeking a gentler alternative. Depending on your needs, hemorrhoid embolization can be performed separately or in conjunction with hemorrhoid banding procedures (typically performed by a GI specialist).
When considering treatment options for hemorrhoids, it’s helpful to understand how hemorrhoid embolization compares to other common approaches.
Conservative measures like dietary changes, topical creams and sitz baths are typically the first line of defense against hemorrhoids. While these approaches may provide temporary relief for mild cases, they rarely address the underlying issue in more severe cases. Hemorrhoid embolization offers a more definitive solution by targeting the source of the problem.
Rubber band ligation involves placing a small elastic band around the base of a hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply. While effective for smaller hemorrhoids, this technique can cause significant discomfort and typically treats only one hemorrhoid at a time. In contrast, embolization can address multiple hemorrhoids simultaneously with less discomfort.
Traditional hemorrhoidectomy involves surgically removing hemorrhoid tissue. While effective, this procedure typically results in significant pain, bleeding, and a recovery period of several weeks. Hemorrhoid embolization avoids these drawbacks, offering comparable results with minimal downtime and discomfort.
Hemorrhoids develop when the veins in the rectal area become enlarged and inflamed, often due to constipation, increased pressure or straining during bowel movements, pregnancy or prolonged sitting. Internal hemorrhoids are inside the rectum and usually aren’t painful, but straining when passing stool can cause them to bleed or prolapse. External hemorrhoids occur in the skin around the anus and are more likely to result in pain, itchiness, swelling and irritation.
Book AppointmentAnyone can get hemorrhoids, but the risk increases with age. Other risk factors include:
Certain medications like opioids also increase the risk of hemorrhoids by reducing motility in the digestive tract. Understanding these risk factors can help you take preventive measures to reduce your likelihood of developing hemorrhoids. If you’re already experiencing symptoms, addressing these underlying causes alongside treatment can help improve your overall health.
Hemorrhoidal artery embolization offers several distinct advantages over more invasive surgical approaches, including:
For patients who have been dealing with the discomfort of hemorrhoids for months or even years, these advantages make hemorrhoid embolization an attractive alternative to more invasive surgical options.
Before considering hemorrhoid embolization, our experienced team carefully evaluates each patient’s needs and medical history. While this innovative procedure is suitable for many people suffering from hemorrhoids, certain factors help determine if it’s the best choice for you.
You may be a good candidate for hemorrhoid embolization if you:
As a nonsurgical treatment option, hemorrhoid embolization involves less risk and downtime than more invasive procedures. It is effective for hemorrhoids that protrude while straining but retract to their original position, either on their own or with manual assistance (grade 2 and 3 hemorrhoids). If you have grade 2 or 3 internal hemorrhoids and haven’t found relief with other techniques, you may be an ideal candidate for hemorrhoid embolization.
Hemorrhoids are classified into four grades based on their severity, which helps determine the most appropriate treatment approach:
Hemorrhoidal artery embolization is particularly effective for grade 2 and 3 hemorrhoids. For grade 1 hemorrhoids, conservative measures may be sufficient, while grade 4 hemorrhoids might require surgical intervention. At OCIR, our specialists will assess your needs and recommend the most appropriate treatment option based on your specific condition.
Hemorrhoid embolization typically takes about 45 minutes and is performed as an outpatient procedure using local anesthesia with mild sedation. During treatment, our interventional radiologists make a pin-sized hole in the upper thigh to access the femoral artery. A small tube called a catheter is inserted and, using real-time imaging, guided to the blood vessels supplying the hemorrhoids. Once it is in the appropriate position, your provider releases tiny coils that block these blood vessels, causing the hemorrhoids to shrink naturally over time.
Once the procedure is complete, the catheter is removed and pressure is applied to the puncture site. Only a small mark remains that can be easily covered with a bandage. Most patients report minimal discomfort, and you’ll be able to return home the same day.
Recovery from hemorrhoid embolization is quick compared to traditional surgical options. Most patients can return to their normal activities within 24-48 hours. You may experience mild discomfort at the catheter entry site, but this usually resolves after a day or two. The hemorrhoids will gradually shrink over the following weeks as their blood supply diminishes.
To optimize your recovery, we recommend:
Most patients begin to notice improvement in their symptoms within days, with continued improvement over the following weeks. Full results are typically seen within four to six weeks of treatment as the hemorrhoids gradually shrink.
At the Orange County Interventional Radiology Center, our team has extensive experience in performing hemorrhoid embolization. This specialized procedure requires precise imaging guidance and technical expertise that only trained interventional radiologists can provide.
We understand that having hemorrhoids can be painful and challenging, so we also prioritize patient care and comfort throughout the entire treatment process. From your initial consultation through your recovery, our team takes time to explain each step, answer your questions and address any concerns you may have. Patients appreciate our personalized approach and the expert care they receive without having to navigate a large hospital system.
At Orange County Interventional Radiology, our experienced team of interventional radiologists specializes in providing innovative, nonsurgical solutions for hemorrhoids and other concerns. We understand how this condition can affect your quality of life, and we’re here to help you find relief with the most advanced treatment options available.
Contact us today at (949) 317-1633 to schedule a consultation and learn if hemorrhoid embolization might be right for you. Our team will answer your questions and help you understand all your treatment options.
FAQ'S
Most patients report minimal discomfort during and after the procedure. Unlike traditional hemorrhoid surgery, which can cause significant pain in the rectal area, hemorrhoid embolization access is through the thigh, avoiding trauma to the sensitive rectal tissues.
Hemorrhoidal artery embolization has an excellent success rate, with clinical studies showing that 85-95% of patients experience significant symptom relief. Most patients report a substantial reduction in bleeding within the first few weeks, and many achieve complete resolution of their hemorrhoid symptoms. The procedure’s effectiveness is particularly high for grade 2 and 3 internal hemorrhoids, making it a reliable alternative to more invasive surgical options.
While hemorrhoid embolization has a high success rate, new hemorrhoids can potentially develop if the underlying causes (such as chronic constipation or straining) aren’t addressed. Our team provides guidance on lifestyle modifications to help prevent recurrence.
Hemorrhoidal artery embolization is specifically designed to treat internal hemorrhoids by targeting the blood vessels that supply them. External hemorrhoids, which develop under the skin around the anus, have a different blood supply and are typically not suitable for embolization treatment. However, many patients with mixed internal and external hemorrhoids find that treating the internal component with HAE provides significant overall symptom relief. During your consultation, our team will evaluate your specific condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment approach.
One of the major advantages of hemorrhoidal artery embolization is that it doesn’t affect your bowel function. Unlike surgical procedures that can impact the muscles and tissues involved in bowel control, HAE only targets the blood vessels supplying the hemorrhoids. This means you can expect normal bowel movements both immediately after the procedure and long-term.
Many insurance plans cover hemorrhoidal artery embolization, especially for patients who have tried and failed to find relief with more conservative treatments. Our team works with you to determine coverage and obtain necessary pre-authorizations before your procedure.
Our Locations
29300 Portola Parkway, Suite B
Lake Forest, CA 92630
Toll Free: (800) 267-5677
Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
26921 Crown Valley Parkway, #120
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Toll Free: (800) 267-5677
Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
18102 Sky Park Circle South, Suite D
Irvine, CA 92614
Toll Free: (800) 267-5677
Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Contact Us