If you have been diagnosed with haemorrhoids (piles) you may be offered Sclerotherapy injections as an alternative to banding where the haemorrhoid is too small to band. This is a common conservative treatment for smaller, internal haemorrhoids.
Sclerotherapy Procedure
This procedure will generally be carried out by a health professional as an outpatient and you should be able to go home immediately afterwards. A chemical solution is injected into the area around the haemorrhoid reducing the blood supply to the haemorrhoid. This hardens the tissue of the haemorrhoid so that a scar is formed. After about four to six weeks, the haemorrhoid should decrease in size or shrivel up.
After the injection, you should avoid strenuous exercise for the rest of the day and you should be able to return to work the day after. You may experience some minor pain for a while and may bleed a little.
After the Procedure
You may experience some discomfort or a feeling of fullness in the anus for a day or so after the sclerotherapy injection. This is quite normal. You should take regular painkillers if needed. You can bathe or shower as you wish and you can return to normal activities as soon as you feel comfortable.
You may see some minor spots of blood on the stools or on the paper when you wipe yourself after opening your bowels. This will settle with time.
Complications following injection of haemorrhoids are very rare. Very occasionally it can cause problems with the urinary system in men. If you have more severe pain, or a high temperature following the injection you should go to your nearest hospital
Further Information
For more information you can visit our webpage about Haemorrhoids. You can also find out about treatments other than sclerotherapy which may be available to you.
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