Hemorrhoids in Men: What's Different and What to Know

Hemorrhoids affect men and women at roughly equal rates over a lifetime. But research consistently shows that men wait significantly longer before seeking medical care — often 6 to 12 months or more after symptoms first appear. Many men manage symptoms for years before making an appointment.

This delay has real consequences. Hemorrhoids that are easy to treat in early stages can progress to a point where more involved treatment is needed. And more importantly: rectal bleeding isn't always a hemorrhoid, and assuming it is without evaluation is a gamble not worth taking.

Several habits and activities that increase hemorrhoid risk are more prevalent among men:

Low dietary fiber intake. Men statistically eat less fiber than women. Low fiber leads to constipation, constipation leads to straining, straining causes hemorrhoids.

Heavy lifting. Compound exercises like squats and deadlifts — as well as physical labor — create significant spikes in intra-abdominal pressure. When combined with breath-holding (the Valsalva maneuver common in strength training), these spikes are intense enough to worsen existing hemorrhoids or contribute to new ones.

Higher alcohol consumption. Alcohol dehydrates and can irritate the digestive tract, directly contributing to harder stools and constipation.

Sedentary work. Long hours in a desk chair increases sustained pressure on the rectal veins.

Exercise overall is protective against hemorrhoids — it promotes bowel regularity and healthy circulation. The issue is specifically with heavy compound lifts performed at high intensity and volume. If you're a serious lifter and developing hemorrhoid symptoms, this is worth discussing with a colorectal specialist who understands the athletic context.

Proper technique, progressive load management, and excellent bowel health (fiber, hydration, no pre-existing constipation) reduce but don't eliminate the risk. Don't push through symptoms.

Let's be direct: embarrassment about rectal symptoms keeps a lot of men out of the doctor's office longer than it should. Dr. Chung evaluates and treats this area of the body every single day. There is nothing about your symptoms that will be surprising or unusual to him. The appointment is quick, matter-of-fact, and often a significant relief to finally have answers.

Colorectal cancer rates are slightly higher in men than women, and risk increases with age. If you're over 45 and haven't been screened — or if you have a family history of colorectal cancer — rectal bleeding is a reason to get evaluated, not rationalized. A hemorrhoid evaluation and colorectal cancer screening can often be addressed together in a single conversation with Dr. Chung.

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