Diseases & Conditions
When to repair a hemorrhoid
If you aren't able to control hemorrhoid symptoms to your satisfaction with lifestyle changes or topical therapies (creams, ointments, or suppositories), then you could consider surgical repair. One procedure is called rubber band ligation (RBL), in which a small band is placed around an internal hemorrhoid to cut off the blood supply. RBL is usually effective at least half of the time, and repeated ligations improve the success rate. Ligation causes minor pain for most people but no long-term side effects.
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