The most common symptom of internal haemorrhoids is bright red blood covering the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl. However, an internal haemorrhoid may protrude through the anus outside the body, becoming irritated and painful. This is known as a protruding, or prolapsed, haemorrhoid. Symptoms of external haemorrhoids may include painful swelling or a hard lump around the anus that results when a blood clot forms, This condition is known as a thrombosed external haemorrhoid. Excessive production of mucus may also cause itching.
Haemorrhoids are very common in men and women.
About half the population have haemorrhoids by age 50. Haemorrhoids are also common among pregnant women. The pressure of the foetus in the abdomen, as well as hormonal changes, cause the haemorrhoidal vessels to enlarge. These vessels are also placed under severe pressure during childbirth. For most women, however, haemorrhoids caused by pregnancy are a temporary problem.