Internal hemorrhoids develop inside the rectum and often cause painless bleeding, itching, pressure, or a feeling of fullness. At Medical Vascular Partners, our double board-certified diagnostic and interventional radiologists, Dr. Rajiv Srinivasa and Dr. Taylor Maloney, offer hemorrhoidal artery embolization (HAE) to relieve symptoms and help you recover faster.
Overview
Internal hemorrhoids are swollen veins located inside the rectum that develop when increased pressure affects blood flow in the lower rectum. They are common and often painless, but may cause symptoms such as rectal bleeding, irritation, a sense of pressure, or mucus discharge. Because they sit internally, many patients don’t realize they have hemorrhoids until symptoms appear. At MVP, we help patients understand the cause of their symptoms and offer minimally invasive options to treat internal hemorrhoids without surgery.
Symptoms of Internal Hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids often develop quietly, and symptoms may appear gradually as pressure and swelling increase. Because they form inside the rectum, many patients don’t feel pain at first, but other signs can signal an underlying issue, including:
- Painless rectal bleeding during or after bowel movements
- Bright red blood on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl
- A feeling of pressure or fullness in the rectum
- Mucus discharge after bowel movements
- Sensation of incomplete bowel evacuation
- Occasional prolapse or tissue bulging during straining
Treatment For Internal Hemorrhoids
At MVP, we take a patient-centered approach to treating internal hemorrhoids. Your care starts with a thorough evaluation by your physician to understand your symptoms, severity, and prior treatments. Our goal is to relieve bleeding and discomfort while avoiding unnecessary surgery whenever possible. We offer minimally invasive treatments to address the underlying cause of hemorrhoids, not just manage symptoms, and help you return to daily life.
Our primary treatment for internal hemorrhoids is hemorrhoidal artery embolization (HAE). This minimally invasive procedure works by targeting and reducing the abnormal blood flow feeding the hemorrhoids. Using image guidance, a small catheter is placed in an artery in the wrist or upper thigh, the arteries supplying the hemorrhoids are identified, and tiny particles are delivered to block the hemorrhoidal arteries. As blood flow decreases, the hemorrhoids shrink, leading to reduced bleeding and symptom relief over the following weeks.
Advantages of Hemorrhoidal Artery Embolization (HAE)
Hemorrhoidal artery embolization (HAE) offers a modern, minimally invasive alternative to traditional hemorrhoid surgery. By treating the underlying cause (excess blood flow to internal hemorrhoids), HAE can help relieve symptoms while minimizing discomfort and downtime. At MVP, we often recommend HAE for patients seeking effective relief without undergoing surgery, incisions, or trans-anal procedures.
The key advantages of HAE include:
- No surgical cutting or removal of tissue
- Performed as an outpatient procedure
- Minimal post-procedure pain
- Faster recovery compared to hemorrhoid surgery
- Reduced risk of complications
- No stitches or open wounds
- Preservation of normal anal anatomy
- Effective treatment for bleeding-predominant internal hemorrhoids
Schedule Your Consultation
Medical Vascular Partners is a physician-led medical practice specializing in minimally invasive treatments for vascular and pain-related conditions. We treat the root cause of symptoms using advanced techniques performed by board-certified diagnostic and interventional radiologists. If internal hemorrhoids are affecting your comfort, we help you determine whether hemorrhoidal artery embolization (HAE) is right for you. Schedule a consultation with Medical Vascular Partners today to explore treatment for internal hemorrhoids in Austin, TX.
