Internal hemorrhoids live inside the rectum. Because there are very few pain-sensing nerves in that area, you might not even know they are there until they start causing symptoms.
External hemorrhoids are located under the skin around the anus. Unlike the internal variety, this area is packed with pain-sensing nerves, which is why these tend to be much more bothersome in daily life.
A thrombosed hemorrhoid occurs when a blood pool inside an external hemorrhoid forms a clot (thrombus). While it sounds scary, it is a common complication, though a very painful one.
It is easy to misidentify a hemorrhoid for something else, such as an anal fissure or even a skin tag. This is why a professional evaluation is the most important tool in your kit. Trying to treat a fissure with a hemorrhoid cream, for example, won't solve the underlying problem.
At Your Friendly Proctologist, the goal is to identify exactly what is happening so we can apply the right procedure. Whether it is a smaller internal issue that needs banding or a larger external issue that requires a more direct approach, getting the diagnosis right the first time saves you days of unnecessary discomfort.
The identification process is just the beginning. Most hospital-based surgeons won't see you for over a month after a diagnosis or procedure. Our protocol is built on accessibility. 11 years of experience has shown that patients recover better when they have direct access to their surgeon. We provide concierge-level service where you have 24/7 access to your doctor, ensuring that once you identify the problem, the solution is managed with your comfort as the priority.