

Based on all of these factors, we compiled this list of the best OTC hemorrhoid treatments. While some choices on our list may be more expensive than others, we wanted to give a wide range of options for buyers that would fit all needs and budgets. Once we narrowed down our options, we compared each hemorrhoid treatment's benefits to its price tag. Arturo Bravo, a gastroenterologist at Houston Methodist Willowbrook HospitalĪfter taking all of our options into consideration, we determined which to feature based on a few key criteria as recommended by dermatologists: key ingredients, form, and dosage. Kantsevoy, MD, director of The Center for Therapeutic Endoscopy at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore

Luckily, you can rely on good old-fashioned witch hazel to come through in a pinch, like this organic hemorrhoid balm by Motherlove. Sitz baths are a pregnancy-safe treatment for hemorrhoids, but soaking your rectum three times a day isn't always possible-and when you're pregnant, you need hemorrhoid relief ASAP.

"Even though it's unlikely that the ingredients in topical hemorrhoidal agents will harm the third-trimester infant, a discussion needs to be had between you and your obstetrician regarding therapy." "The topical hemorrhoidal agents have not been fully assessed for safety in pregnancy," says Matthew Bechtold, MD, a University of Missouri Health Care gastroenterologist. While the first line of defense for most people with hemorrhoids is medicated creams and ointments, pregnant women have to take a pause before running to the pharmacy for an OTC drug.

BEFORE AND AFTER HEMORRHOID CREAM HOW TO
A gastroenterologist from our Medical Expert Board also reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy and integrity surrounding hemorrhoids, different treatment options, and how to evaluate them.īelow, you'll find the best over-the-counter hemorrhoid treatments on the market today. We researched dozens of over-the-counter hemorrhoid treatments and evaluated them for the following attributes: ingredients, price, and use. Special pillows and bath salts can also provide relief. Treatments can include creams and ointments with ingredients like witch hazel, hydrocortisone, and phenylephrine, which can reduce swelling and calm itchy skin. That's where over-the-counter hemorrhoid treatments come in. While some are symptom-free, some people can experience "anything from blood in a toilet to fullness to discomfort," says Henry Govekar, MD, colon and rectal surgeon at Rush University Medical Group in Chicago. Hemorrhoids, or swollen veins in the rectum and anus, are typically a result of increased pressure in those same areas.
