Let’s talk about something most people would rather not bring up at the dinner table.
Hemorrhoids. Specifically, the kind that bleeds. The kind that keeps coming back. The kind that makes you dread every trip to the bathroom and sends you quietly searching for answers online at 11pm.
If that’s you, you’re not alone. Hemorrhoids affect about 75% of people at some point in their lives. But chronic, recurring hemorrhoidal bleeding — especially in adults over 40 — is something that genuinely deserves medical attention. Not because it’s dangerous (though it can be), but because it’s completely treatable.
And there’s one treatment option most people have never heard of: Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization, or HAE.
First — What Actually Causes Hemorrhoidal Bleeding?
Hemorrhoids are clusters of blood vessels located in and around the rectum and anus. Everyone has them — they’re a normal part of anatomy. The problem starts when those vessels become enlarged, swollen, or irritated.
When internal hemorrhoids bleed, it’s because the small arteries feeding those swollen vessels are pumping in too much blood. The tissue can’t handle the pressure, and bleeding results.
Typical treatments — rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, or surgical hemorrhoidectomy — address the hemorrhoids themselves. HAE goes upstream and targets the blood supply causing the problem in the first place.
So, How Does HAE Work?
HAE is performed by an interventional radiologist using a minimally invasive technique very similar to other embolization procedures:
- A tiny catheter is inserted through a small puncture in the wrist or groin — no large incisions
- Using live X-ray imaging and a special dye, the doctor identifies the specific arteries supplying blood to the hemorrhoidal tissue
- Microscopic particles are delivered through the catheter to reduce blood flow to those vessels
- With less arterial blood flowing in, the hemorrhoidal tissue shrinks, and bleeding stops
The procedure takes about 1–2 hours. Most patients go home the same day and return to normal activity within a few days.
✓ HAE requires no cuts, no stitches, and no removal of tissue.
✓ Clinical studies report success rates of 75–90% in stopping hemorrhoidal bleeding.
✓ Unlike surgical hemorrhoidectomy, HAE involves minimal post-procedure pain.
✓ Patients can return to normal activity within 2–3 days.
How Is This Different From Other Hemorrhoid Treatments?
Rubber band ligation and hemorrhoidectomy are effective — but they can be painful, require recovery time, and often need to be repeated. They also only treat the hemorrhoids that are visible and accessible at the time of the procedure.
HAE works differently. By reducing blood flow through the arteries that supply all of the hemorrhoidal tissue, it addresses the root vascular cause — which is why results tend to be more durable and comprehensive.
Who Is HAE Best For?
- Adults with recurrent internal hemorrhoidal bleeding
- Patients who have had previous hemorrhoid treatments that haven’t lasted
- People who want to avoid surgical hemorrhoidectomy
- Patients on blood thinners or with other conditions that make surgery higher risk
- Anyone whose hemorrhoid bleeding is frequent enough to affect quality of life or cause anemia
One Important Note
Rectal bleeding should always be evaluated by a doctor first. While hemorrhoids are the most common cause, your physician will want to rule out other causes before recommending any treatment. A colonoscopy or other evaluation may be recommended as a first step.
There’s no reason to be embarrassed, and no reason to keep suffering. Help exists — and it’s a lot more comfortable than you might think.
Call us to learn more about HAE and whether it’s right for you.