What is haemorrhoids?
Haemorrhoids, or piles, are enlarged, swollen blood-vessel cushions in and around the anus. They commonly cause bright red bleeding on wiping, itching, discomfort and sometimes a lump that appears during bowel movements. They are graded by whether they stay inside, prolapse and return, or remain outside the anus.
Haemorrhoids are extremely common, affecting people of all ages but particularly those with constipation, a low-fibre diet, a job involving prolonged sitting, or during and after pregnancy. Diagnosis involves an examination of the back passage, often with a small scope (proctoscopy) in clinic. Because rectal bleeding can occasionally signal something more serious, doctors may arrange a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy first, particularly for people over 50 or with a change in bowel habit.
Common symptoms
- Bright red blood on the toilet paper or in the pan
- Itching or irritation around the anus
- A lump or swelling at the anus, especially after passing a stool
- Aching or discomfort when sitting
- A feeling of incomplete emptying
- Mucus discharge or soiling
- Sudden severe pain if a pile becomes thrombosed
How long will you wait?
Routine NHS pathways for haemorrhoids commonly take several months from referral to outpatient treatment, and longer where surgery is needed, as piles sit low on elective priority lists.
Privately, you can typically see a consultant within 3–7 days, with banding often done at the first appointment and surgery, if needed, within 2–4 weeks.
NHS England median referral-to-treatment wait: 12.4 weeks, with 2.5 million people waiting over 18 weeks (May 2026). Individual waits vary by trust and urgency.
Treatment options
- Diet and topical treatment. More fibre and fluid, avoiding straining, and short courses of soothing creams settle most early haemorrhoids.
- Rubber band ligation. A quick outpatient procedure that places a small band around the pile, causing it to shrink and fall away.
- Haemorrhoidal artery ligation (HALO/THD). A stitch-based operation that cuts off the blood supply to the piles without cutting tissue away.
- Haemorrhoidectomy. Surgical removal of large or prolapsing piles; the most durable option, though recovery is sorer for two to three weeks.
What does private treatment cost?
As a guide, private rubber band ligation typically costs around £500–£1,500, while surgical haemorrhoidectomy or HALO procedures are typically around £3,000–£4,800 in the UK in 2026.
Does health insurance cover haemorrhoids?
Private medical insurance normally covers investigation of rectal bleeding and treatment of haemorrhoids that develop after your policy starts, including banding and surgery where clinically needed. Piles you had before joining will usually be excluded as pre-existing at the outset, potentially reviewable after a symptom-free period on moratorium terms. Insurers cover treatment of the acute problem; over-the-counter creams and routine dietary management are not claimable.
Frequently asked questions
When should I see a doctor about piles rather than self-treating?
See a GP if bleeding persists beyond a week or two, keeps returning, or is mixed in with the stool; if you have a change in bowel habit, unexplained weight loss or are over 50; or if pain and swelling are severe. These features do not mean anything serious is present, but they warrant proper examination to rule out other causes, including bowel cancer.
Is haemorrhoid banding painful?
Banding is done in clinic without anaesthetic because internal piles sit above the nerve line that senses sharp pain. Most people feel a dull ache or pressure for a day or two, managed with simple painkillers. There may be slight bleeding when the pile detaches after a few days. Around two to three piles can be banded per session, and repeat sessions are sometimes needed.
Will haemorrhoids come back after treatment?
They can. Banding has a meaningful recurrence rate over several years, while formal haemorrhoidectomy offers the most durable results at the cost of a sorer recovery. Whatever treatment you have, keeping stools soft with plenty of fibre and fluid, avoiding straining, and not lingering on the toilet significantly reduce the chance of new piles forming.