Hi - I am a 32 year old male who was diagnosed with a hemorrhoid (internal) a few years ago. I had intermittent bleeding but no real symptoms other than that. I controlled it with diet and exercise. Lately I have been experiencing some minor pressure/pain when bending down in roughly the same area where the hemorrhoids exist. It isn't a constant, gnawing pain but it is enough to be concerned it may be something else. I haven't had bleeding since October, '08 and have remained regular in terms of bowel movements.

My question is whether or not other people have noticed pain in the rectum/anus as a result of hemorrhoids. I worry it may be something else...but cancers of that area present with other symptoms that I don't have. It has been an issue for a couple of weeks, though not consistently.

Thanks! I try to eat more fruits and vegetables and walk a lot. Those seem to keep the rough BM's at bay and as a result, the bleeding too. The pain is minimal and usually when I bend over but it is intermittent. I suspect it is from the hemorrhoids and getting older!

Thanks again. I use Preparation-H which works well. This morning I had a little bit of bright red blood on my stool. The last time I had that was back in October. I haven't been eating too well lately and I need to get back to doing that. If it continues for more than a few days, I will contact my GI doctor.

I hear that!!! One day at a time you know? Thanks for the 'shoulder.'

Heather - Ahhh, who knows! I've got minor pressure that is intermittent and today I had a small amount of blood. The pain is somewhat new but the bleeding happens every once in awhile. Usually there is a correlation between eating non-healthier foods and these bleeding issues. I had the flexible sigmoidoscopy 5 years ago when the initial diagnosis of hemorrhoids was rendered. I went back last Fall when I had a few days of bleeding. I called the GI doctor but won't make an appointment unless this bleeding continues for more than a few days, after I make the dietary changes.

Thanks for checking in.

How are you managing?

-Josh