Can You Poop Out a Hemorrhoid? Getting the Straight Poop on Rectal Lumps

That awful ache. The feeling of something protruding down there. The panic that your hemorrhoid is about to detach and exit your body with the next bowel movement. I know the painful predicament all too well.

But here’s the straight poop – you cannot actually poop out a hemorrhoid. I know, it might feel like that golf ball-sized lump will dislodge any second. But hemorrhoids are safely secured inside your anus.

Let me give you the lowdown on what hemorrhoids really are. These unpleasant bumps are normal cushions of tissue filled with blood vessels that live in your rectum. They only feel like alien growths when they become enlarged and irritated.

Internal hemorrhoids can temporarily prolapse through the anus during bowel movements. But they retract right back inside where they belong. It might make you feel like something came out that shouldn’t have. But your hemorrhoids remain where nature intended.

While prolapsed hemorrhoids can be extremely uncomfortable, the solution isn’t popping them out for good. Doing damage down there leads to more swelling and pain, not relief.

Instead, see your doctor about reducing hemorrhoid woes the right way. There are many treatments that can help shrink them back to normal size. Then they’ll stop protruding at all.

Now that you know you won’t poop the pesky things out, let’s learn about what really makes hemorrhoids flare up. The answers might surprise you…

What Exactly Are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are normal cushions of tissue filled with blood vessels that live in your rectum, just inside the anus. These vascular cushions help control bowel movements.

Everyone has hemorrhoids. They only feel like painful protrusions when they swell and become irritated. There are two types:

Internal hemorrhoids form in the rectum above the pectinate line (the inner-outer divide). You can’t see or feel these unless they enlarge.
External hemorrhoids occur under the pectinate line closer to the anus. These are more sensitive and can feel like bulges.

Both types can sometimes prolapse and cause unpleasant sensations.

Why Hemorrhoids Temporarily “Fall Out”

Internal hemorrhoids live safely tucked inside the rectum under normal conditions. But they can prolapse, or fall out of place, during bowel movements. Here’s why:

Straining – Hard pushing and holding breath to pass stool enlarges hemorrhoids and weakens connective tissues suspending them. This allows prolapse to occur.
Diarrhea – Watery stool can irritate and swell hemorrhoids, plus frequent movements make prolapse more likely.
Constipation – Firm, dry stool is hard to pass and requires increased abdominal pressure. This stresses and enlarges hemorrhoids.
Pregnancy – Hormonal changes and pelvic pressure from the uterus on veins can inflame hemorrhoids.

Prolapsed hemorrhoids may retract spontaneously after passing stool. If not, they can gently be pushed back inside with a finger. But they remain at risk of prolapsing again.

Why You Can’t Poop Out Hemorrhoids Permanently

Despite feeling like foreign growths that could detach, prolapsing hemorrhoids are still anchored securely inside your anus. Here’s why they won’t exit your body for good:

Anchored tissue – Hemorrhoids are comprised of cushions of soft tissue that remain fixed to the wall of the lowest rectum.
Elasticity – The anal sphincter muscle is elastic. Prolapsed tissue can squeeze through then snap back like a rubber band.
Blood flow – Hemorrhoids are vascular tissue filled with blood vessels. If severed, they would bleed profusely.
Pain receptors – Hemorrhoids are well-supplied with nerves. Forcing one out would be extremely painful.
Retraction – After prolapsing, hemorrhoids typically withdraw spontaneously or are easily pushed back inside.

So while hemorrhoids can bulge through the anus temporarily, they remain anchored in place and won’t detach fully to exit the body.

Why You Shouldn’t Try to Pop Hemorrhoids

Because hemorrhoids remain anchored inside, attempting to manually pop them out can harm them and make problems worse:

Trauma – Forcing hemorrhoids out tears tissue and damages the cushions. This leads to more swelling and pain.
Bleeding – Any cuts or tears to hemorrhoids from popping cause more irritation and bleeding with bowel movements.
Infections – Bacteria on the hands or around the anus can be introduced into torn hemorrhoid tissue leading to infections.
Pain and itching – Damaging hemorrhoids exposes more nerve endings and increases painful sensations and itching.
Prolapse – Straining or forcing hemorrhoids makes another prolapse more likely to occur.

Resist the temptation to pop hemorrhoids out. Seek medical treatments to shrink them back into place instead.

Medical Treatments to Reduce Prolapsed Hemorrhoids

If prolapsing hemorrhoids are recurring, consult your doctor about these treatment options:

Improved bowel habits – More fiber, fluids, exercise prevents constipation and straining during bowel movements.
Sitz baths – Warm water soaks help shrink hemorrhoids, improve blood flow, and reduce swelling.
Medications – Over-the-counter remedies like witch hazel, hydrocortisone, and analgesics ease swelling and pain.
Minimally invasive procedures – Rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, cryosurgery, and infrared coagulation all shrink internal hemorrhoids.
Surgery – For severe prolapsed hemorrhoids, surgery removes or staples the excess tissue in place.

With professional treatment, prolapsing hemorrhoids can be reduced to return fully inside where they belong. No more feeling like they might detach and exit the body!

FAQs

FAQ 1: Do external hemorrhoids have a higher risk of detaching?

No, external hemorrhoids are still anchored tissue that cannot fully detach. The location just under the skin makes them more sensitive and likely to prolapse and cause pain. But they remain connected.

FAQ 2: Can anything other than a hemorrhoid fall out when pooping?

Yes, passing very loose stool can sometimes cause a small piece of anal lining called a skin tag to protrude outside the anus. These tags are harmless excess skin that can be removed by a doctor if bothersome.

FAQ 3: What home remedies help push hemorrhoids back inside?

Applying cold compresses, sitting in a warm bath, and gently massaging with an over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream can help reduce swelling so a prolapsed hemorrhoid retracts more easily on its own. Never force it.

FAQ 4: How are internal and external hemorrhoids different?

Internal hemorrhoids form in the rectum above the pectinate line. These are not visible from outside. External hemorrhoids occur below this line close to the anus, so they’re more easily felt. Both can prolapse.

FAQ 5: Can hemorrhoids fall off if left untreated?

No, hemorrhoids will not detach or fall off on their own even if left untreated. The vascular tissue remains anchored. But lack of treatment can allow them to enlarge significantly, prolapse more frequently, and cause worsening pain and complications.

When Hemorrhoids Warrant Medical Care

Most mildly prolapsed hemorrhoids can be managed with home remedies and don’t require seeing a doctor. But if you have any of the following, seek medical help:

Severe persistent pain or swelling
Bleeding not relieved by hygiene and topicals
Hemorrhoids that don’t retract on their own
Prolapse that makes hygiene difficult
Changes in bowel movement caliber
Family history of colon cancer

Blood, excessive pain, and stool changes can indicate a more serious gastrointestinal issue. It’s always better to consult a professional.

While hemorrhoids can feel like alien lumps that might pop off, rest assured they are secured safely to your anal anatomy. Avoid the temptation to manually force them out. Instead, see a doctor to shrink enlarged hemorrhoids back into place where they belong.