Why Is My Hemorrhoid Getting Bigger Instead of Smaller?

Andy Paras

23 Aug, 2026

Personally Researched | Last Updated: August 2026 | Based on Clinical Studies & Personal Experience.

If you've been treating hemorrhoids for days and it seems to be growing rather than shrinking, it's natural to feel worried and frustrated.

Most hemorrhoids do improve with home care within about a week, so when yours seems to be heading the wrong direction, something in your routine, your body, or the hemorrhoid itself may be working against you.

This article breaks down the most common reasons a hemorrhoid keeps getting bigger, what might be different about your case, and when it's time to stop waiting and see a doctor.

Common Reasons Your Hemorrhoid Is Getting Bigger

1. It May Be a Thrombosed Hemorrhoid

One of the most common reasons an external hemorrhoid suddenly grows and becomes intensely painful is a blood clot forming inside it — known as a thrombosed hemorrhoid. Instead of gradually shrinking, it swells rapidly, often within 24–48 hours, and can feel like a hard, tender lump. Thrombosed hemorrhoids usually need medical evaluation, since they may require a small in-office procedure to remove the clot and provide fast relief.

2. You're Still Straining During Bowel Movements

Continued straining — whether from constipation, diarrhea, or simply rushing on the toilet — keeps adding pressure to the swollen veins, undoing any healing progress. If your stool is still hard or you're pushing to finish, the underlying cause hasn't actually been addressed yet.

3. Ongoing Pressure From Sitting or Standing

Long stretches of sitting (including on the toilet) or standing can keep blood pooling in the rectal veins, preventing swelling from going down. This is especially common with desk jobs, long commutes, or physically demanding work that involves prolonged standing.

4. Low-Fiber Diet or Dehydration

If your diet hasn't actually changed, your stool may still be hard or irregular, which keeps triggering straining and pressure. Fiber and water are the two biggest levers for softening stool — without them, hemorrhoid treatments tend to stall or backslide.

5. Pregnancy or Hormonal Changes

During pregnancy, increased pressure from the growing uterus and hormonal changes that relax vein walls can cause hemorrhoids to keep enlarging despite home care.

They often improve after delivery, but pregnant individuals should always check with their doctor before starting any treatment.

6. Using the Wrong Treatment, or Overusing OTC Creams

Over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams can ease itching and discomfort, but they aren't proven to actually shrink hemorrhoids or stop bleeding.

Using them for more than about a week can also irritate the skin further, which can make swelling look and feel worse rather than better.

7. Excess Weight or Heavy Lifting

Carrying extra weight, or regularly lifting heavy objects (including at the gym) with improper technique, increases pressure on the pelvic and rectal veins.

This ongoing pressure can prevent an existing hemorrhoid from shrinking, or cause a new one to form nearby.

8. The Hemorrhoid Has Progressed to a Higher Grade

Internal hemorrhoids can advance in severity over time — for example, moving from a Grade 2 (which goes back in on its own) to a Grade 3 or 4 (which stays prolapsed outside the anus).

A hemorrhoid that keeps coming out and getting larger, rather than resolving, may need a procedure such as rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, or in more advanced cases, surgical removal.

9. It Might Not Be a Hemorrhoid at All

Some anal lumps that seem like a "growing hemorrhoid" are actually something else, such as an anal skin tag, an abscess, a fissure, or, rarely, a more serious condition. A healthcare provider can confirm what you're actually dealing with through a simple exam.

When to See a Doctor

Don't wait it out if you notice any of the following:

The lump is suddenly larger, hard, and very painful (possible thrombosis)
Heavy or ongoing rectal bleeding
Fever, pus, or increasing redness around the area (possible infection or abscess)
No improvement after a week of consistent home treatment
A hemorrhoid that no longer goes back in on its own
Any new or unexplained change in bowel habits

Rectal bleeding in particular should always be evaluated, since it can occasionally signal a condition other than hemorrhoids.

Conclusion

A hemorrhoid that keeps getting bigger instead of smaller is usually a sign that something is still adding pressure to the area — ongoing straining, a low-fiber diet, prolonged sitting, or a treatment that isn't addressing the root cause.

In some cases, though, rapid growth and pain point to a thrombosed hemorrhoid or a hemorrhoid that has advanced to a more severe grade, both of which benefit from medical attention rather than more waiting.

If your hemorrhoid isn't improving after a week of proper home care, or if it's suddenly painful, hard, or bleeding heavily, it's time to see a doctor — effective in-office treatments are available, and most people get fast, lasting relief once the right one is used.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why did my hemorrhoid suddenly get much bigger overnight?

A sudden increase in size and pain is often caused by a blood clot forming inside the hemorrhoid (a thrombosed hemorrhoid). This typically needs medical evaluation rather than home treatment alone.

2. Can a hemorrhoid keep growing if I don't change my diet?

Yes. If your stool remains hard or irregular due to low fiber or dehydration, ongoing straining can prevent a hemorrhoid from shrinking or even make it worse.

3. Is it normal for hemorrhoid creams to make swelling look worse?

Overusing over-the-counter creams for more than about a week can irritate the surrounding skin, which may make swelling appear worse. These creams also aren't proven to shrink hemorrhoids on their own.

4. How can I tell if it's a hemorrhoid or something else, like a skin tag or abscess?

It can be hard to tell without an exam. Skin tags are usually painless and don't change much, while abscesses often come with redness, warmth, and fever. A healthcare provider can confirm the diagnosis.

5. When does a growing hemorrhoid need surgery?

Surgery is typically reserved for large, prolapsed hemorrhoids (Grade 3 or 4) that don't respond to less invasive treatments like rubber band ligation or sclerotherapy.

6. Can pregnancy cause hemorrhoids to keep enlarging?

Yes, increased pelvic pressure and hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause hemorrhoids to grow despite home treatment. They often shrink after delivery, but any treatment during pregnancy should be discussed with a doctor first.

📑 Related Articles

📚 Medical Sources

Mayo Clinic — Hemorrhoids
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) — Hemorrhoids
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons — Hemorrhoids
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), Treatment of Hemorrhoids
Cleveland Clinic, Hemorrhoids: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Harvard Health Publishing, Hemorrhoids and what to do about them

Why Is My Hemorrhoid Getting Bigger Instead of Smaller?