What to Do When Hemorrhoids Keep Coming Back

There are few things more frustrating than finally getting past a hemorrhoid flare-up...

...only to feel that familiar discomfort again a few weeks or months later.

You thought you were done with this.

The cream went back in the medicine cabinet. Sitting became comfortable again. Going to the bathroom stopped requiring quite so much thought.

Life felt normal.

And then...

They're back.

If your hemorrhoids keep coming back, it's reasonable to wonder whether they ever really went away—or whether you're doing something wrong.

The answer isn't always that simple.

Hemorrhoid symptoms can return for several reasons, and sometimes the bigger issue isn't what you did during the last flare-up.

It's what continues happening between flare-ups.

• Constipation.
• Straining.
• Long stretches on the toilet.
• Not enough fiber.
• Changes in routine.
• And other sources of repeated pressure can all contribute.

So rather than only asking:

“How do I get rid of this flare-up?”

It may be worth asking a different question:

“What can I change so I’m not right back here again?”

That question can change the way you approach hemorrhoids altogether.

Start by Looking at What Happens Between Flare-Ups

Hemorrhoids are swollen or enlarged veins around the anus or lower rectum. It is true that treating a flare-up may help reduce symptoms such as itching, burning, swelling, or discomfort.

But symptom relief doesn't necessarily remove the factors that contributed to the problem.

Think about it this way:

If constipation and repeated straining contributed to your hemorrhoids the first time, getting through the flare-up doesn't automatically change the contributing factors.

If you regularly spend long periods sitting on the toilet, that habit doesn't disappear when the discomfort does.

If your diet is consistently low in fiber, the end of a flare-up doesn't suddenly add vegetables to your diet.

That's one reason recurring hemorrhoids can feel like a cycle.

The symptoms improve, but the underlying conditions that helped create them may still be there.

If you want to dig deeper into the reasons this cycle can happen, read Why Hemorrhoids Keep Coming Back (And What Most People Miss).

Current hemorrhoid guidelines actually put a lot of emphasis on the everyday stuff: getting enough fiber and fluids, avoiding straining, spending less time on the toilet, and keeping constipation in check.

So let's take a look at some things you can do to break the cycle:

1. Constipation Keeps Putting Pressure on the Same Area

If there's one place I'd start when hemorrhoids keep returning, it's bowel habits.

Constipation can mean hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass.

And when stool is difficult to pass, what do most of us naturally do?

Push harder.

That repeated straining increases pressure around the anus and rectum.

Over time, that can contribute to hemorrhoid symptoms or make an existing problem more likely to flare again.

This is why addressing constipation isn't just about making bathroom trips more comfortable.

It can be an important part of reducing one of the recurring sources of pressure.

What You Can Do

Focus on supporting softer, easier-to-pass stools through habits such as:

• Eating enough fiber
• Drinking adequate fluids
• Staying physically active
• Responding when you feel the urge to go to the bathroom rather than repeatedly delaying it
• Talking with a healthcare provider if constipation becomes persistent

The goal isn't to force yourself to go every day.

It's to make bowel movements easier when they happen.

2. You're Still Straining

You don't have to consider yourself “constipated” to strain.

Maybe you're rushing.

Maybe you feel like you're not completely finished.

Maybe pushing has simply become part of your normal bathroom routine.

But regularly bearing down creates pressure in the area where hemorrhoids develop.

That's why hemorrhoid prevention isn't only about what comes out. It's also about how hard you're working to make it happen.

What You Can Do

Try not to force a bowel movement.

If nothing is happening, sitting there and pushing harder isn't necessarily the answer.

Sometimes the better move is simply to get up, go about your day and try again later when the feeling comes back.

Your bathroom trips shouldn't feel like a workout.

3. You're Spending Too Much Time on the Toilet

Sometimes the problem isn't straining.

It's staying.

You sit down. Check your phone. Answer an email. Watch a video. Read something.

Then somehow 15 minutes disappeared.

Maybe it's just a symptom of the day and age we live in, but the toilet isn't really designed to be a second office.

Prolonged toilet sitting can contribute to pressure in the hemorrhoidal area way more than we think, which is why current hemorrhoid guidelines recommend limiting time spent on the commode.

What You Can Do

Go when you need to go. Finish your business. Then get up.

One of the simplest hemorrhoid habits may also be one of the least exciting:

Leave your phone outside the bathroom.

Your inbox will survive.

4. You're Not Getting Enough Fiber Consistently

Most people know fiber is good for digestion.

The harder part is getting enough of it day after day.

You might eat plenty of fiber during the week and almost none while traveling.

Or eat well for a few days and then have several days where fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains barely make an appearance.

That inconsistency can matter if constipation tends to trigger your hemorrhoids.

Fiber helps support softer, easier-to-pass stools, which is why getting enough fiber and fluids is one of the first things experts recommend when it comes to hemorrhoids.

What You Can Do

Instead of waiting until you're constipated to suddenly think about fiber, make it part of your normal routine.

Good sources include:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Beans and legumes
• Whole grains
• Nuts
• Seeds

A fiber supplement can also help fill the gaps when getting enough from food consistently is difficult.

That's exactly where Easy Flow Fiber® can fit in. It was created to make adding fiber to your daily routine simple and convenient, especially on the days when your diet doesn't quite get you there.

And the important word here is consistently.

Fiber isn't just something to think about when hemorrhoids show up. It's one of those everyday habits that can help support healthier digestion between flare-ups, too.

5. Your Routine Changes—and Your Digestion Changes With It

Travel.

A busy week at work.

A new schedule.

Eating differently.

Not drinking as much water.

Skipping workouts.

Ignoring the urge to go because you're nowhere near a bathroom you'd willingly use.

Life changes.

And digestion sometimes changes right along with it.

That's one reason hemorrhoids can seem to return “out of nowhere.”

They may not actually be coming out of nowhere.

Something in your routine may have changed first.

What You Can Do

When a flare-up happens, think back over the previous few days.

• Were you constipated?
• Traveling?
• Sitting more than usual?
• Drinking less water?
• Eating differently?
• Straining?
• You don't need to obsess over every detail.

But noticing patterns can help you identify the situations that tend to cause problems for you.

6. You Treat the Flare-Up but Forget About Prevention

This may be the biggest reason recurring hemorrhoids are so frustrating.

When they hurt, you pay attention.

When they don't...

Why would you?

You feel better. You want to get on with your life.

That's completely understandable.

But it can create a pattern:

Flare-up → symptom relief → feel better → old habits return → another flare-up.

Creams, ointments, sitz baths, and other approaches may help manage symptoms during an active flare-up.

But they don't necessarily address constipation, fiber intake, straining, or other habits that may be contributing to recurrence.

That's where prevention becomes important.

Relief and Prevention Aren't the Same Thing

This distinction is worth making.

Relief asks:

What can I do to feel better right now?

Prevention asks:

What can I do to make this less likely to keep happening?

You may need both.

During a flare-up, your priority may understandably be reducing discomfort.

Between flare-ups, the focus can shift toward supporting the habits and systems that help you stay comfortable.

That's a different mindset.

Instead of thinking about hemorrhoid health only when something hurts, you start thinking about the everyday things that may help keep you from getting back there.

What a Long-Term Hemorrhoid Routine Can Look Like

Fortunately, preventing hemorrhoid flare-ups doesn't require turning your entire life into one giant hemorrhoid-prevention program.

Most of the habits are pretty ordinary.

• Get enough fiber.
• Drink adequate fluids.
• Stay active.
• Avoid unnecessary straining.
• Don't turn the toilet into a reading room.
• Pay attention when constipation starts rather than waiting until it becomes severe.
• None of those habits are particularly dramatic.

That's probably a good thing.

The best long-term routine isn't the one you follow perfectly for five days after a painful flare-up.

It's the one that's simple enough to keep doing after you've stopped thinking about hemorrhoids.

Where Hem Healer Fits In

This idea—supporting your body between flare-ups—is a big part of why Hem Healer exists.

We don't think hemorrhoid care should only begin when you're uncomfortable.

There's value in thinking about the things that support long-term hemorrhoid health even when you're feeling good.

That includes digestive regularity, healthy bowel habits, and supporting healthy veins and circulation.

Easy Flow Fiber® was created to make adding fiber to your daily routine more convenient and to support healthy digestion and regular bowel movements.

Hem Hero® was designed to support healthy veins and circulation as part of a consistent wellness routine.

Neither replaces healthy eating, hydration, movement, or appropriate medical care.

They're simply tools designed to fit into the bigger picture.

Because for someone who has dealt with hemorrhoids over and over again, the goal usually isn't just:

“Make this flare-up stop.”

It's:

“I'd really like to stop doing this.”

We understand the difference.

When Recurring Hemorrhoids Deserve a Medical Evaluation

There is an important point we don't want to skip.

Not every symptom around the anus or rectum is necessarily caused by hemorrhoids.

And rectal bleeding shouldn't automatically be assumed to be hemorrhoids simply because you've had hemorrhoids before.

If symptoms keep returning, are severe, don't improve, or you're experiencing persistent or unexplained rectal bleeding, it's worth talking with a healthcare provider.

A healthcare professional can confirm whether hemorrhoids are actually causing your symptoms and determine whether additional treatment may be appropriate.

For some people, lifestyle and conservative approaches are enough.

Others may benefit from office-based treatments such as rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, or infrared coagulation.

And some cases may require surgical treatment.

Recurring symptoms don't necessarily mean you need a procedure.

But they also don't mean you should keep treating yourself indefinitely without knowing what's actually going on.

The Bottom Line

If your hemorrhoids keep coming back, don't just look at the flare-up.

Look at the pattern.

• Constipation.
• Straining.
• Fiber intake.
• Hydration.
• Time on the toilet.
• Changes in routine.

The things happening between flare-ups may tell you more than the flare-up itself.

You can't guarantee that hemorrhoids will never return.

But supporting healthy bowel habits and reducing repeated pressure gives you something much more useful than simply waiting for the next flare-up.

It gives you a plan.

And eventually, the goal is pretty simple:

Spend less time managing hemorrhoids—and more time living your life without thinking about them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my hemorrhoids keep coming back?

Start by looking for recurring patterns between flare-ups, particularly constipation, straining, prolonged toilet sitting, low fiber intake, and changes in your normal routine. Supporting softer, easier-to-pass stools and reducing unnecessary pressure may help lower the likelihood of future flare-ups. If symptoms repeatedly return, are severe, or involve persistent or unexplained bleeding, talk with a healthcare provider.

Can hemorrhoids come back after they go away?

Yes. Hemorrhoid symptoms can improve and later return, particularly if contributing factors such as constipation and straining continue.

How do I prevent hemorrhoids from coming back?

Helpful habits can include getting adequate fiber and fluids, staying active, avoiding straining, limiting unnecessary time on the toilet, and addressing constipation when it occurs.

Why do my external hemorrhoids keep coming back?

External hemorrhoid symptoms can recur for several reasons, including repeated pressure or straining. If a painful lump repeatedly develops in the same area or you're unsure whether it is actually a hemorrhoid, consider having it evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Does fiber help prevent recurring hemorrhoids?

Adequate fiber can support softer, easier-to-pass stools and reduce the need for straining. Fiber is included in current clinical recommendations for conservative hemorrhoid management.

When should I see a doctor about recurring hemorrhoids?

Consider medical evaluation if symptoms repeatedly return, are severe, don't improve with conservative care, or involve persistent or unexplained rectal bleeding. A healthcare provider can also help confirm that hemorrhoids are actually responsible for your symptoms.

References

American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Hemorrhoids. Diseases of the Colon & Rectum. 2024.
PubMed: 2024 Hemorrhoids Clinical Practice Guidelines

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Symptoms & Causes of Hemorrhoids.
NIDDK: Symptoms & Causes of Hemorrhoids

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Treatment of Hemorrhoids.
NIDDK: Treatment of Hemorrhoids

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Hemorrhoids.
NIDDK: Eating, Diet & Nutrition for Hemorrhoids

Continue Learning

Why Hemorrhoids Keep Coming Back (And What Most People Miss)
Understand some of the reasons hemorrhoids can become a recurring problem and the everyday patterns that may be contributing.

How to Prevent Hemorrhoids: 8 Daily Habits That Can Help
Learn the everyday habits that can help reduce straining, support healthier bowel movements, and lower your risk of future flare-ups.

The Connection Between Constipation and Hemorrhoids: Why One Often Leads to the Other
Learn how hard stools and repeated straining can contribute to hemorrhoids—and why addressing constipation can be an important part of prevention.

7 Fiber Mistakes That Can Make Constipation Worse (And What to Do Instead)
Learn why simply adding more fiber doesn't always solve constipation and the common mistakes that can make things worse.

Our Commitment to Evidence-Based Education

At Hem Healer, we're committed to creating educational content that's grounded in guidance from respected medical organizations and peer-reviewed research whenever possible.

Our goal is to help you better understand hemorrhoids, digestive health, and the habits that support long-term wellness so you can make informed decisions about your health.

The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace personalized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your healthcare provider.