Dealing with bleeding hemorrhoids, sometimes known as piles, can be annoying and for some people, embarrassing. It’s uncomfortable and painful, and most find it a difficult condition to talk about or even consider on any serious level. But at least half of all Americans will develop this problem during their lifetime, so while they may still be annoying, there’s no need to feel embarrassed. If you have first or second-degree hemorrhoids and they are still persisting even after given home treatment and medication, you can call your doctor to find out more about nonsurgical options to rid yourself of them.
Sclerotherapy is one of the nonsurgical methods available to you. The procedure is very simple. Your doctor will use either a chemical or saline solution and inject it at the base of the problem area. The chemical will then shrink the bleeding hemorrhoid and leave a small scar that can help support the surrounding tissue while preventing future problems from cropping up.
There are risks with sclerotherapy, and your doctor should make you aware of them before beginning the procedure. You may want to ask about them before you schedule the procedure with your doctor’s office. If you have third or fourth-degree bleeding hemorrhoids, sclerotherapy is not the correct treatment option. Complications are very rare and occur in roughly only 1 out of every 5,000 patients. Oftentimes they occur due to improper technique.
Excessive bleeding or pain means the injection has not been done properly and more medical help is required. Injecting into the layer beneath the problem area can lead to an ulcer. Experiencing bleeding a week or two after the injection has occurred means this may have happened and you should return to the hospital.
Should the injection instead go into the prostate, the complications may be mild or severe. The difference will depend upon the depth of penetration and how much of the chemical or solution has been injected. If you notice any of the following, you should contact your physician: Retention of urine, infertility, prostate gland inflammation, the formation of an abscess, or the formation of a blood clot.
Urine retention is the most common complication of prostate injection and often will work out on its own. The most serious are inflammation of the prostate gland, abscess formation, and blood clot formation. Inflammation can be observed by frequent urination and a burning sensation when urination occurs, pain, or blood or pus in urine. There is no direct treatment for the inflammation aside from the prescription of antibiotics. The abscess may require surgery, as will the blood clot formation.
If you are concerned with these possible complications, seek out a skilled doctor with a good reputation. There are multiple nonsurgical methods that can be used, so have your doctor examine your condition thoroughly in order to decide what may work best for you. Always make sure you are comfortable with your options and have someone with you to provide support if you are uncomfortable.