Internal Hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids are those that originate inside the body in the lower rectum. They are usually painless because this region lack pain receptors.

Often people with minor internal hemorrhoids don't even know they have them. People with minor internal hemorrhoids usually find out they have them because of some minor bleeding which may appear as bright red dots on toilet paper, or some drops of blood in the toilet bowl or mixed in with the stool. Such bleeding should not be assumed to be due hemorrhoids because rectal bleeding can also be a symptom of a much more serious condition. Therefore, if you experience rectal bleeding and have not been previously diagnosed then it is very important that you consult a medical doctor for a proper diagnosis.

More severe forms of internal hemorrhoids are those that have become distended and get pushed out of the body ("prolapse"). There is a grading system for internal hemorrhoids that is explained in this article.

It is possible for a prolapsed hemorrhoid to become strangulated. This can happen if the anal sphincter goes into spasm, trapping a prolapsed hemorrhoid outside of the body and cutting off its blood supply. This can cause extreme pain and can also lead to gangrene. Therefore, if you experience a strangulated hemorrhoid then you should seek immediate medical attention.