Internal hemorrhoids are painless and sometimes cause a lot of bleeding. The vein may then become irritated and painful. External hemorrhoids can easily be seen or felt. When the swollen veins are scratched or broken by straining or rubbing, they begin to bleed. External hemorrhoids may also protrude, or prolapse, through the anus.
Hemorrhoids occur as a result of too much pressure on the veins in the rectum.
Pregnant women should try not to become constipated because pregnancy is associated with a tendency to have hemorrhoids. In the last trimester of pregnancy, the enlarged uterus pressing on blood vessels in the anal area can cause hemorrhoids. Also, the strain of childbirth itself sometimes leads to postpartum hemorrhoids. Your doctor will examine your rectum and anus with a gloved finger. Your doctor may want to examine your rectum using a proctoscope or anoscope, which are hollow, lighted viewing instruments.