GITNUXREPORT 2025

Hemorrhoid Statistics

Hemorrhoids affect most adults, especially middle-aged, costing billions annually.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The annual cost of hemorrhoid treatment in the United States exceeds $600 million

Statistic 2

The economic burden of hemorrhoids includes direct costs of treatment and indirect costs such as lost productivity, with estimates in the billions annually in the US alone

Statistic 3

Hemorrhoids affect approximately 75% of people at some point in their lives

Statistic 4

About 50% of adults between 45 and 65 years old experience hemorrhoids

Statistic 5

The prevalence of hemorrhoids is estimated to be between 4.4% and 36% in the general population

Statistic 6

Hemorrhoids are responsible for approximately 45% of outpatient proctology visits

Statistic 7

The incidence of hemorrhoids increases with age, with peak prevalence around 45-65 years old

Statistic 8

Internal hemorrhoids are more common than external hemorrhoids, accounting for about 70% of cases

Statistic 9

About 50% of pregnant women develop hemorrhoids during pregnancy, due to increased abdominal pressure and hormonal changes

Statistic 10

Hemorrhoids are classified into four grades, with grade IV being prolapsed and non-reducible, affecting about 10% of cases

Statistic 11

Hemorrhoids contribute to approximately 14–20% of rectal bleeding cases, especially in adults

Statistic 12

The global prevalence of hemorrhoids is estimated at around 4.4%, with variations across populations

Statistic 13

Women are more likely than men to seek treatment for hemorrhoids during pregnancy and postpartum periods

Statistic 14

About 15% of patients with hemorrhoids are asymptomatic, often diagnosed incidentally during examinations

Statistic 15

Hemorrhoids are the most common cause of rectal bleeding in adults under 50, accounting for about 60% of cases

Statistic 16

About 25% of hemorrhoid cases are classified as grade I, with bleeding but no prolapse

Statistic 17

Pain from external hemorrhoids is often aggravated by sitting and bowel movements, affecting about 60% of external hemorrhoid patients

Statistic 18

Women report a higher incidence of hemorrhoid-related discomfort during pregnancy compared to non-pregnant women, with prevalence up to 50%

Statistic 19

The median age of patients seeking hemorrhoid treatment is approximately 45 years old, indicating higher prevalence in middle-aged adults

Statistic 20

The prevalence of hemorrhoids in Asian populations is slightly lower, around 4%, compared to Western populations. Differences may relate to diet and lifestyle

Statistic 21

The annual annual incidence of hemorrhoids in the UK is estimated at approximately 1.5%, indicating common occurrence

Statistic 22

Hemorrhoids are less common in children, with prevalence estimates below 10%, usually related to constipation or other underlying conditions

Statistic 23

Chronic anal pain, often associated with external hemorrhoids, affects approximately 12% of patients presenting with anorectal complaints

Statistic 24

Approximately 37% of hemorrhoid patients experience recurrence within two years after initial treatment

Statistic 25

The recurrence rate after hemorrhoidectomy varies between 10-20%, depending on technique and patient compliance

Statistic 26

Surgery for hemorrhoids, including hemorrhoidectomy, can have complication rates of approximately 10%, including bleeding and urinary retention

Statistic 27

The recurrence rate of hemorrhoids after non-surgical management is approximately 20-30% within five years

Statistic 28

About 25-30% of patients who undergo hemorrhoidectomy experience postoperative complications such as pain, bleeding, or urinary retention

Statistic 29

Constipation is a significant risk factor for developing hemorrhoids, affecting over 14% of the population

Statistic 30

A high-fiber diet can decrease the risk of developing hemorrhoids by approximately 40%

Statistic 31

Chronic constipation increases the risk of hemorrhoids by approximately 2-3 times

Statistic 32

External hemorrhoids are more painful than internal ones, with pain severity correlating with thrombosis formation

Statistic 33

Hemorrhoids are more common in individuals with obesity, with prevalence rates averaging around 30%, compared to 10-15% in non-obese populations

Statistic 34

Approximately 30% of patients with hemorrhoids are diagnosed with concurrent anorectal conditions like fissures or fistulas

Statistic 35

Lifestyle factors such as prolonged sitting and sedentary behavior are associated with a 25% increased risk of hemorrhoids

Statistic 36

Hemorrhoids can cause significant anemia if bleeding persists over time, with some cases reporting hemoglobin drops of more than 2 g/dL

Statistic 37

Hemorrhoids have a genetic component, with studies indicating familial aggregation in about 20% of cases

Statistic 38

Approximately 40% of patients diagnosed with hemorrhoids are obese, which may correlate with increased intra-abdominal pressure

Statistic 39

Approximately 10-20% of hemorrhoid cases require surgical intervention

Statistic 40

Conservative treatments such as dietary fiber and topical agents provide relief in 80-90% of hemorrhoid cases

Statistic 41

Rubber band ligation, a common procedure for internal hemorrhoids, has a success rate of approximately 85%

Statistic 42

In a study, 87% of patients reported significant improvement after hemorrhoidectomy

Statistic 43

Dietary fiber intake can reduce hemorrhoid symptoms in about 70% of patients

Statistic 44

Thrombosed external hemorrhoids can cause severe pain, often requiring surgical removal in 60-75% of cases

Statistic 45

The use of sclerotherapy for internal hemorrhoids has a success rate of around 70-80%, especially for grade I and II hemorrhoids

Statistic 46

Hemorrhoid symptoms tend to improve significantly within 7 days of conservative treatment, such as increased fiber intake and sitz baths

Statistic 47

The fist-line recommendation for hemorrhoid management involves lifestyle and dietary modifications in over 85% of cases

Statistic 48

Postoperative pain after hemorrhoidectomy can last from 1 to 2 weeks, with a reported pain rate of up to 85% in some studies

Statistic 49

Synthetic rubber band ligation is often preferred over surgical hemorrhoidectomy due to lower complication rates, with success rates exceeding 80%

Statistic 50

About 60% of external hemorrhoids involve thrombosis, which leads to severe pain and swelling, often necessitating surgical removal for relief

Statistic 51

The success rate of minimally invasive procedures like infrared coagulation is approximately 70-75%, especially for grade I and II hemorrhoids

Statistic 52

Approximately 55% of hemorrhoid patients report relief within three days of conservative treatment, including dietary changes and warm baths

Statistic 53

The use of rubber band ligation is most effective in grade I and II internal hemorrhoids, with remission rates over 80%

Statistic 54

The use of herbal remedies like witch hazel or aloe vera has anecdotal support but limited scientific evidence for efficacy, with only 15-20% reporting relief

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Key Highlights

Hemorrhoids affect approximately 75% of people at some point in their lives
About 50% of adults between 45 and 65 years old experience hemorrhoids
The prevalence of hemorrhoids is estimated to be between 4.4% and 36% in the general population
Hemorrhoids are responsible for approximately 45% of outpatient proctology visits
The incidence of hemorrhoids increases with age, with peak prevalence around 45-65 years old
Approximately 10-20% of hemorrhoid cases require surgical intervention
Internal hemorrhoids are more common than external hemorrhoids, accounting for about 70% of cases
The annual cost of hemorrhoid treatment in the United States exceeds $600 million
Constipation is a significant risk factor for developing hemorrhoids, affecting over 14% of the population
About 50% of pregnant women develop hemorrhoids during pregnancy, due to increased abdominal pressure and hormonal changes
Approximately 37% of hemorrhoid patients experience recurrence within two years after initial treatment
Hemorrhoids are classified into four grades, with grade IV being prolapsed and non-reducible, affecting about 10% of cases
Conservative treatments such as dietary fiber and topical agents provide relief in 80-90% of hemorrhoid cases

Did you know that hemorrhoids affect up to 75% of people at some point in their lives, making them one of the most common yet often overlooked health concerns?

Economic and Public Health Impact

The annual cost of hemorrhoid treatment in the United States exceeds $600 million
The economic burden of hemorrhoids includes direct costs of treatment and indirect costs such as lost productivity, with estimates in the billions annually in the US alone

Economic and Public Health Impact Interpretation

With over half a billion dollars spent annually on hemorrhoid relief in the U.S. alone, it's clear that even a little discomfort can make a big—and costly—impact on wallets and productivity alike.

Prevalence and Demographics of Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids affect approximately 75% of people at some point in their lives
About 50% of adults between 45 and 65 years old experience hemorrhoids
The prevalence of hemorrhoids is estimated to be between 4.4% and 36% in the general population
Hemorrhoids are responsible for approximately 45% of outpatient proctology visits
The incidence of hemorrhoids increases with age, with peak prevalence around 45-65 years old
Internal hemorrhoids are more common than external hemorrhoids, accounting for about 70% of cases
About 50% of pregnant women develop hemorrhoids during pregnancy, due to increased abdominal pressure and hormonal changes
Hemorrhoids are classified into four grades, with grade IV being prolapsed and non-reducible, affecting about 10% of cases
Hemorrhoids contribute to approximately 14–20% of rectal bleeding cases, especially in adults
The global prevalence of hemorrhoids is estimated at around 4.4%, with variations across populations
Women are more likely than men to seek treatment for hemorrhoids during pregnancy and postpartum periods
About 15% of patients with hemorrhoids are asymptomatic, often diagnosed incidentally during examinations
Hemorrhoids are the most common cause of rectal bleeding in adults under 50, accounting for about 60% of cases
About 25% of hemorrhoid cases are classified as grade I, with bleeding but no prolapse
Pain from external hemorrhoids is often aggravated by sitting and bowel movements, affecting about 60% of external hemorrhoid patients
Women report a higher incidence of hemorrhoid-related discomfort during pregnancy compared to non-pregnant women, with prevalence up to 50%
The median age of patients seeking hemorrhoid treatment is approximately 45 years old, indicating higher prevalence in middle-aged adults
The prevalence of hemorrhoids in Asian populations is slightly lower, around 4%, compared to Western populations. Differences may relate to diet and lifestyle
The annual annual incidence of hemorrhoids in the UK is estimated at approximately 1.5%, indicating common occurrence
Hemorrhoids are less common in children, with prevalence estimates below 10%, usually related to constipation or other underlying conditions
Chronic anal pain, often associated with external hemorrhoids, affects approximately 12% of patients presenting with anorectal complaints

Prevalence and Demographics of Hemorrhoids Interpretation

Hemorrhoids, affecting nearly three-quarters of us at some point—especially middle-aged adults and pregnant women—serve as a reminder that even our most overlooked orifice can demand serious medical attention, with internal hemorrhoids reigning as the most common cause of rectal bleeding and a significant driver of outpatient visits worldwide.

Recurrence and Complications

Approximately 37% of hemorrhoid patients experience recurrence within two years after initial treatment
The recurrence rate after hemorrhoidectomy varies between 10-20%, depending on technique and patient compliance
Surgery for hemorrhoids, including hemorrhoidectomy, can have complication rates of approximately 10%, including bleeding and urinary retention
The recurrence rate of hemorrhoids after non-surgical management is approximately 20-30% within five years
About 25-30% of patients who undergo hemorrhoidectomy experience postoperative complications such as pain, bleeding, or urinary retention

Recurrence and Complications Interpretation

While surgical and nonsurgical approaches to hemorrhoids aim to provide relief, the persistent recurrence and complication rates—ranging from 10% to nearly a third—highlight that sometimes, even the most carefully stitched solutions leave life's most persistent discomforts unresolved.

Risk Factors and Associated Conditions

Constipation is a significant risk factor for developing hemorrhoids, affecting over 14% of the population
A high-fiber diet can decrease the risk of developing hemorrhoids by approximately 40%
Chronic constipation increases the risk of hemorrhoids by approximately 2-3 times
External hemorrhoids are more painful than internal ones, with pain severity correlating with thrombosis formation
Hemorrhoids are more common in individuals with obesity, with prevalence rates averaging around 30%, compared to 10-15% in non-obese populations
Approximately 30% of patients with hemorrhoids are diagnosed with concurrent anorectal conditions like fissures or fistulas
Lifestyle factors such as prolonged sitting and sedentary behavior are associated with a 25% increased risk of hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids can cause significant anemia if bleeding persists over time, with some cases reporting hemoglobin drops of more than 2 g/dL
Hemorrhoids have a genetic component, with studies indicating familial aggregation in about 20% of cases
Approximately 40% of patients diagnosed with hemorrhoids are obese, which may correlate with increased intra-abdominal pressure

Risk Factors and Associated Conditions Interpretation

Hemorrhoids, affecting over 14% of the population and linked to factors like constipation, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles, highlight how our modern habits and genetics conspire to turn a painful nuisance into a public health concern—underscoring that squeezing the fiber and avoiding prolonged sitting could be as crucial as avoiding genetic predispositions.

Treatment Methods and Outcomes

Approximately 10-20% of hemorrhoid cases require surgical intervention
Conservative treatments such as dietary fiber and topical agents provide relief in 80-90% of hemorrhoid cases
Rubber band ligation, a common procedure for internal hemorrhoids, has a success rate of approximately 85%
In a study, 87% of patients reported significant improvement after hemorrhoidectomy
Dietary fiber intake can reduce hemorrhoid symptoms in about 70% of patients
Thrombosed external hemorrhoids can cause severe pain, often requiring surgical removal in 60-75% of cases
The use of sclerotherapy for internal hemorrhoids has a success rate of around 70-80%, especially for grade I and II hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoid symptoms tend to improve significantly within 7 days of conservative treatment, such as increased fiber intake and sitz baths
The fist-line recommendation for hemorrhoid management involves lifestyle and dietary modifications in over 85% of cases
Postoperative pain after hemorrhoidectomy can last from 1 to 2 weeks, with a reported pain rate of up to 85% in some studies
Synthetic rubber band ligation is often preferred over surgical hemorrhoidectomy due to lower complication rates, with success rates exceeding 80%
About 60% of external hemorrhoids involve thrombosis, which leads to severe pain and swelling, often necessitating surgical removal for relief
The success rate of minimally invasive procedures like infrared coagulation is approximately 70-75%, especially for grade I and II hemorrhoids
Approximately 55% of hemorrhoid patients report relief within three days of conservative treatment, including dietary changes and warm baths
The use of rubber band ligation is most effective in grade I and II internal hemorrhoids, with remission rates over 80%
The use of herbal remedies like witch hazel or aloe vera has anecdotal support but limited scientific evidence for efficacy, with only 15-20% reporting relief

Treatment Methods and Outcomes Interpretation

When it comes to hemorrhoid management, conservative measures like fiber and lifestyle changes are remarkably effective for most—resolving symptoms in over 80%, while breakthrough procedures like rubber band ligation and sclerotherapy boast success rates hovering around 70-85%, but for the severely pained thrombotic cases, surgical removal remains the swift remedy—highlighting a spectrum where patience, diet, and sometimes a scalpel, chart the course from discomfort to relief.