Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   What does a hemorrhoid feel like?
   I am a 44 year old straight male and my butt hole is sore. Please hold all your jokes. My wife says it might be a hemorrhoid.

   • ANSWER:
     i search at yahoo.com and i found this site… hope this will help…

     http://www.hemorrhoidshemroids.com/real-photo-picture-of-hemroids-hemorrhoids.html

     please don’t look at this site while your eating. I didn’t recommend it!

2. QUESTION:
   What type of psychological impact does this picture have on you?

   http://www.last.fm/music/Tyler%2C+The+Creator/+images/54588779

   • ANSWER:
     after seeing this photo, my brain will forever have a chemical imbalance that causes my mind to revert back to this image every time I see a bathroom stall, MC Hammer, or hemorrhoid creme.

     also, eyedea and abilities. f*** yes.

3. QUESTION:
   photo of anal squamous cell cancer?
   unable to see actual picture of anal cancerous polyp want to view that and anal squamous cell cancer.

   • ANSWER:
     Let me guess.

     You are an ugly looking thing near or on your anus and now you wonder if you have cancer.

     Unless you are running fevers, losing weight, and terribly fatigued it is ten thousand times more likely that you have an external hemorrhoid. Hemorrhoids can look terrible when they are engorged with blood and irritated but they are not cancerous and will not become cancerous. They are enlarged veins where the blood has engorged the vein and caused swelling. If they are external the easiest way to get rid of them is to get a pan of very hot water and sit in the pan soaking your rear for a few minutes at a time. Do this several times daily and be careful not to burn yourself. The hemorrhoid will shrink and usually disappear. Preparation H helps if you also have them internally. If you still can not get rid of them you can go to the Dr and have a variety of treatments from drugs to surgery but simple soaking or Preparation H will get rid of most hemorrhoids.
     Add more fiber to your diet. Eat raisins, apples and whole grain cereal daily and you will no longer get them. Hemorrhoids are a results of the crappy diet most Americans regularly consume.

     http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hemorrhoids/

     If you are having the cancer symptoms noted above then see your physician for a cancer workup.

     Most anal cancers are colorectal adenocarcinomas although a squamous cell cancer located in the anus is certainly possible.

     http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.endoatlas.com/jpeg/co_mt_13.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.endoatlas.com/co_mt_05.html&h=150&w=150&sz=17&hl=en&start=7&tbnid=odoR3Sdn74F54M:&tbnh=96&tbnw=96&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsquamous%2Bcell%2Banus%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26rls%3DGGLJ,GGLJ:2006-32,GGLJ:en

4. QUESTION:
   Help! My Hemorrhoid just popped!?
   Please help! A little over 10 minutes ago I went to the bathroom to do a number 2, Completely forgot I had a hemorrhoid and I popped it!

   I’ve cleaned up the area, made sure theres no blood or phaeces left in there but I’m not sure what I should do! Really dont want to tell my parents/Doctor, Super embarrising!

   Please help!

   Note: Wasn’t that big, about half the size of a thumbnail
   To add: Right now I’ve wrapped up a piece of toilet paper and place it on the hemroid and I’m currently sitting on it to apply pressure, Other than keeping it clean is there anything else I can do other than buying medicine!

   • ANSWER:
     You should see your doctor anyhow. Hemorrhoids shouldn’t pop, they’re a weak area in the veins down there that bulge out. They can be inside or outside the hole, and when they’re outside they hurt like asonmabeech, I don’t know if you can really forget they’re there. The inside ones tend to be the bleeders, but they don’t hurt. So you really should get it looked at to make sure that’s what it is.
     Don’t be embarrassed, especially with a doctor. They’ve seen up more butts than they would care to remember. Keep in mind that except for the options, we all have the same standard equipment and just about everybody at one time or another gets them. And your folks have seen it all before, cleaning you or taking your temperature.
     I had them real bad a couple times and I was razzed by a bunch of the guys at work. At some point in time every single one of them came in to my office, closed the door and asked me for advice. about what to do for their aching anus. I bet you know plenty of people, even kids, that have them. They may not know what it is, but they know their butt hurts when they take a dump. And I’m going out of my way to let you know you don’t have to get all medical about it. “Doc, my a** hole hurts when I take a s**t.” works just fine.
     There’s a bunch of things it could be besides a hemorrhoid. Unless it’s physically attached to the hole, like a bulge around the rim, it was something else. Don’t go putting Tabasco sauce or lemon juice or anything else that might be food on it. If you have witch hazel, that’s good, whatever it may be. A hot soak in a tub is good too. But you really should get someone to take a look unless you’re real flexible and can see it in the mirror. Wikipedia has a photo you can use to compare. And YOU”RE embarrassed? Think about the guy who’s picture it is! Good luck.

5. QUESTION:
   Can someone tell me what to do?
   Here is my picture, I need some suggestions for improvement:

   http://www.flickr.com/photos/40352498@N05/3715605682/

   • ANSWER:
     I doubt that others see you as you see yourself. I don’t see anything wrong, myself. If you WANT to make some changes – let your hair grow out ‘just’ a little & don’t plaster it down on your head. Fluff it up a little bit with some Mousse to make you look a little more mature. And try wearing Polo Type shirts w/a collar to make you look a little more like a young man instead of a little kid. Most important – you gotta learn to S M I L E. Don’t go around looking like your hemorrhoids are bothering you all the time. Life is not always the way it’s supposed to be. It’s just the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.

6. QUESTION:
   is it herpes outbreak?? painless blisters inside anus…i am positive for herpes type 2?
   does it stay fir a long time?

   • ANSWER:
     If you have already been diagnosed with herpes, the blisters are likely a herpes outbreak. The best way to know for certain is to get to the clinic and have the blisters examined and a sample collected for lab analysis. You would likely need to refill your anti-viral Rx, while you’re there, anyway.

     Depending on the size of the blisters/bumps..this may be hemorrhoids or anal fissures. It may even be as simple as a reaction to a strongly scented body wash, or not thoroughly rinsing off soap the last time you showered.

     The symptoms of herpes may vary. Some may experience a severe first outbreak, with obvious symptoms, (herpes blisters being present) and each subsequent outbreak may be less severe. Herpes can/will still be transmitted via any unprotected sex even when/if symptoms are subsiding over time. Once one has herpes..the virus remains in their system and can be transmitted to another.

     Some won’t experience the herpes blisters but will experience all of the other symptoms. All-over body aches, general fatigue, swollen lymph nodes in the groin, lower back and/or lower abdominal pain, stiff and aching joint pain, and generalised flu symptoms are all common for those with herpes. The blisters may or may not be painful at first, and may also leave the area feeling numb vs acute pain. It isn’t a stretch to presume that the blisters are a herpes outbreak.

     The STD guide below (link) has photo identification and info re: herpes (and other STDs) so you will be able to compare the appearance of the blisters, etc. Again, getting into a clinic asap is advisable, as the blisters should be active (emitting fluid) for medical staff to collect a sample for lab test.

     Herpes blisters may last for about a week, but new blisters can appear as the original blisters dry up. The known treatment is a Rx to an oral anti-viral and this will assist with the frequency and duration of an outbreak. Doing all you can to keep yourself healthy is one of the best ways to avoid recurring outbreaks. Proper rest, plenty of water, nutritious foods, daily exercise, vitamins, etc. The stronger the immune system = the healthier you are = less chance of experiencing another outbreak.

     STD i.d./photo guide:

     http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/std/pictures.htm

     herpes vs hemorrhoids:

     http://www.hemorrhoidshemroids.com/herpes-around-the-anus.html

     HSV-1/HSV-2:

     http://www.herpes.com/hsv1-2.html

7. QUESTION:
   Should the suit succeed?
   In Feb 1968 Grimsley, a 46-year-old security inspector, unexpectedly gave birth in her home less than two days after the doctors had told her that her stomach pains were nothing more than a urinary tract infection and a case of hemorrhoids. A reporter from a local newspaper interviewed Grimsley about the birth, and Grimsley provided details about it and posed for a picture with the child. The story appeared in the local newspaper the following day, was subsequently picked by the Associated Press, and also appeared in several other newspapers. In July 1986, a sypnosis of the article(including a photo of Grimsley and her son) appeared in the “Hard Times” section of the Penthouse magazine(a section that the magazine describes as “a compendium of bizarre, idiotic, lurid and witless driblets of information culled from the nation’s press”) under the heading “Birth of a Hemorroid”. Grimsley filed suit against Penthouse for defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Should her suit succeed?

   • ANSWER:

8. QUESTION:
   Does This Person Have Piles (Pic Included)?
   I am usually very good at diagnosing rectal problems but for some reason this one has stumped me. This woman has a lump around her anus. Details given were:

   * Lump on/around anus
   1. No pain emptying bowels
   2. No itching
   3. No bleeding
   4. No discomfort
   5. No accompanying constipation

   It was only noticed upon a bikini wax, by the Beauty Therapist. Obviously the person suffering is concerned over cancer.

   My diagnoses is piles, but I am not 100% sure as it doesn’t affect her bowel movements and no blood has been present. There is no present constipation nor difficulty in going to the toilet.

   Have a look at this picture and please help me diagnose. Answer needed by 18/04/13 so please provide honest and medically-related info only.

   Appreciated x

   WARNING – GRAPHIC (Picture of anatomy)

   http://www.flickr.com/photos/55616360@N03/8650340474/in/photostream/

   • ANSWER:
     Looks likes Piles to me and if you Google “Piles” and then look at images you will see many similar photos.

     I don’t think Anal Cancer is common and I imagine there would be bleeding. She can try Hemorrhoid Cream which effectively shrinks small Piles or she needs to see her Doctor if this doesn’t not work.

9. QUESTION:
   Need help with swollen spots around female great dane private areas.?
   I need help ASAP!! I just noticed that my 2 year old female dane has some swollen “bumps” that make a U-shape around the bottom part of her “girl parts”. They are really swollen, and it caught my eye earlier this morning, but I thought her parts were still swollen since she just came out of her heat cycle. But tonight I saw it more clearly, and I’m kind of freaked out. I have a picture of it, because it’s kind of hard to describe the way it looks. If anyone can help me,here is a link to a picture of the problem. My mom thinks it MIGHT be hemorrhoids, but I would think those would be closer to her butt region? I am really worried about her, and unfortunately I’m kind of broke, so I’m hoping to avoid an emergency vet right now. Please please help! http://www.flickr.com/photos/78181950@N08/6995531003/

   • ANSWER:
     Looks painful! Can she pee? Is she licking it? Discharge? Looks infected. If it were my dog, as long as she can pee and they have not increased in size I would probably…maybe….wait till morning and then absolutely take her to the vet. Always ask yourself if you had an injury or issue like your pet, would you go to the doctor? If you say yes, then go! Good luck!

10. QUESTION:
    Do you think my boyfriend cares about these flaws that I have?
    sorry this is kind of long i have a lot of “problems”

    Okay sooooooooo (this is a little inappropriate so if you don’t want to read inappropriate then leave)
    So, me and my 6 month boyfriend sext. ( We love each other a lot and I trust him. Plus its a long distance relationship so I don’t really care if he tells his friends because they could probably care less. He doesn’t tell them, anyway)
    I send him pics of me topless and one time a pic of my *nether regions*
    Okay so I shave my vagina but like I have this dark shadow between my legs and on both sides of my “lips” Even after I shave and there is no hair there!
    I kind of edited that picture so that wouldn’t show… but its kind of bothering me because for my birthday in a few months he is going to come see me and we might have sex. Would he care? Plus I have these weird bumps on my butt, not pimples or HEMORRHOIDS or whatever. Theyre like little bumps. Plus I have hair on my body. How come some girls are so flawless and they have no bumps lines hair or stretch marks on their body.
    I have stretch marks on my hips and you can really see them. my boyfriend hasnt seen them. I have acne scars on my shoulders ( my back ) and like girl chest hair. Plus I have some hair on my stomach. Ugh. What should I do? Do you think my boyfriend will care when he comes to see me or should I take care of that stuff.. and how?

    • ANSWER:
      you sound normal to me. i think maybe you’ve bought into this false reality about what all women look like. like you think you are supposed to look like a magazine model or something. well those girls in the mags, as beautiful as they already are, still aren’t good enough to be shown to the public. editors choose to go in an airbrush photos, digitally enhance features, digitally erase “imperfections”…. etc. etc.

      listen, you’re fine. around your vagina, so what. everyone’s genitalia and the skin around them are shaded many different pigments and tones. the bumps on your butt, probably “heat” bumps. they’re nothing, many people have them. he might find them cute, too bad you don’t. hair on your body? well that would make you a mammal. if you had no hair, i suppose you’d be a reptile or amphibian. lots of females have stray hairs or little rings of dark peach fuzz around their nipples. it’s natural. the stretch marks, get over it. you’re a female. you have “feminine” fat. meaning the places on your body that have curves, more than likely there are going to be little stretch marks. once again, all natural. acne on your back? get over it. it’s no big deal.

      life’s a lot easier when we don’t spend so much time worrying over the things in which we do not have any control over. some of the things we do have control over are…. are you a good person? do you have a good heart? do you treat yourself well, and others around you? are you good to your boyfriend? do you try your best in school or work or both? things like that, these are just a few of the things in our life in which we do have some control over. so try focusing more on those, and less on the others.

      really it’s our “imperfections” that make us “beautiful”.

      best wishes

11. QUESTION:
    White lump under my tongue piercing?
    I got my tongue pierced about 2 and a half weeks ago and have made sure to keep it at optimal health- alcohol free mouth-wash, salt water rinses, brushing my teeth twice a day. The swelling is pretty much gone and there isn’t much pain left to it, the only thing which worries me is that there has been a white, yellowy discharge from the top and bottom, my professional piercer says it’s fine and normal, but there’s a large, white, swollen bump at the bottom of my piercing.

    My boyfriend says it’s probably just scar tissue, but I’m very worried…

    Please help?

    Here’s a picture to help http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/513/photoon180712at1244pm.jpg/

    • ANSWER:
      It’s NOT cancer. That’s just someone trying to worry you. I don’t remember what exactly my piercer called it, I’ve had them on my cartilage and lip piercings, it’s basically like scar tissue. I’m not sure how to make it go away inside your mouth… If you get it on any external piercings, like the ones I mentioned, my piercer told me to put hemorrhoid cream on them to make them go away faster. I imagine the one on your tongue piercing will go away with time.

12. QUESTION:
    when will my hemmorhoid heal?
    Ive had it for two and a half weeks id say, and last thrusdag i was in agony so i went to the hostpital and my doctor gave me medication for it. The pain is mostly gone, but i took a hot bath today and when i got up it was popped and it was gooping with this nasty yellowish bloody looking fluid. So then i went back to sleep for a few hours and ive taken a picture of it and its just a hole from where it popped and ive put some hydrogen peroxide on it, taken more hot baths, and i have these medicated wipes and i squeezed the liquid of those onto the popped hemorrhoid. When will it close up and scab or heal? Thanks im 15 by the way

    • ANSWER:
      You took a photo of your bunghole? Thanks for NOT posting it.
      Ask your doctor these questions, no one here has examined you or knows its severity.

13. QUESTION:
    Cat with swollen red anus – anal polyps?
    My 12 year old male Persian cat had a surgery for bladder stones removal in the beginning of April. He had a catheter in his penis for 3 days (he had a stone stuck in his ureter that had to be pushed back to the bladder prior surgery). Since he came back from the hospital I’ve noticed that his anus was red and irritated, but my vet said it was normal. Then he was under amoxicillin for about a week or so and after that they changed the antibiotics for clavamox, just to prevent infection after surgery. All his tests (blood, urine analysis, etc) after surgery have been fine. He has no infection, no bacteria, nothing. But he had diarrhea, first because of the antibiotics and second because the vets changed his diet to Medical (Royal Canin) SO. Over this time his anus has become very red and sore. It looks almost as a bad case of human hemorrhoids, but raw and moist (I can send you pictures of it). Well, when I read the ingredients of the new can food and saw that it has corn flour in it, I thought I found the problem because the vet was suspecting of allergies and I remembered that my cat had allergies to corn before (corn litter.) So I asked the vet to change his food. Now he is taking the Medical Mature formula (1 1/2 can a day) and that solved the diarrhea, but the vet still can’t find a solution for his swollen and painful anal problem. The vet put him under Flagyl and, recently, also under Prednisolone, but nothing changed so far. My cat is loosing weight (not drastically, thou) and he’s also depressed. Our vet is very good, but she just doesn’t know what his problem is. He’s really very uncomfortable, and I’m really very worried about him, since this has been going on for almost two months now. He’s not licking his rear and I’m taking good care of him, but I feel hopeless. Can someone please help? I can send you photos and all information you need. Please, HELP ME! Many thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      With all of the antibiotics it would be normal to have diarrhea and this would cause the redness and a swollen anus. Ask the vet for a numbing cream that you can put on the area and also if some can be inserted just inside the rectum. His bowel movements may just be irritating area without a chance to heal. Maybe a good cream would help. Ask the vet if Preparation H can be used on a cat. It can be purchased with a small tube for inserting. Don’t use anything unless the vet give the ok.

14. QUESTION:
    could anyone help me through this please! ?
    im 19 male an was just wondering i Have Got Piles ive left them for about a year because Am Scared off treatment i tried getting it Done but its horrible getting things up your backside but its come to the point where ive had enough and need to get them done so am wondering anyone ever had them and what is it like getting them out ? does it hurt Am Scared if anyone has a Video of someone Getting treatment so i know whats going to happen thanks

    • ANSWER:
      Upon googling,I came across this:

      http://www.hemorrhoidshemroids.com/real-photo-picture-of-hemroids-hemorrhoids.html

      It has everything about Piles you could ever want to know. It even includes pictures for self-diagnosis and treatments available. Worth a look. Good luck!

15. QUESTION:
    Ovarian Cancer or Prego?
    Ok so last Monday I had protected sex on my period. My period was normal after the act everything was normal up until Saturday. My stomach started to growl really bad but I wasn’t hungry. The next day I began having bad lower abdominal cramps, my lower back was aching a little, and my legs. I also have severe pressure on my pelvic area and I saw a little blood when I wiped. WHAT COULD BE WRONG????????????? PLEASE HELP!!

    • ANSWER:
      I agree with “Waytootiny” though with protected sex – a condom – it should NOT be a STD (sexually transmitted disease).
      This is most likely a bladder infection – “cystitis.” Vigorous sex can lead to irritation and introduction of bowel flora (bacteria from the rectal are) into a woman’s bladder. Sometimes this is called “honeymoon cystitis.” http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cystitis/DS00285/DSECTION=risk-factors
      [ I like Mayo Clinic sites for reviews. I spent time there during medical training.]

      If you are the person pictured on this site, you are too young to have any likelihood of ovarian carcinoma. Hmmm . . . . I see from your pica question that you are 18 – way too young for a likely ovarian carcinoma.

      This is the cancer section. If you are concerned about a cancer, you can stop worrying in this case. You just need your primary care physician to check a urinalysis and possibly a urine culture plus start you on an antibiotic for a UTI (urinary tract infection).

      When you wipe and see blood – is it from the urethra (bladder infection), the vagina (menstrual blood) or the ano-rectal area (usually hemorrhoids) ? The doctor you see may want to know which area you think the blood came from if you can tell. Hemorrhoid bleeding is usually bright red. You know what menstrual blood looks like. Usually in cystitis there is microscopic blood in the urine but rarely visible blood.

      I’ll add my answer to your pica question here since these problems may be related :
      Pica in a young women is often related to iron deficiency caused by menstrual blood loss and a diet inadequate in red meat. You look like a model if the photo is you. If you do not eat red meats, you may need a multivitamin with iron such as a prenatal vitamin.
      Iron deficiency is simply to diagnose. When you see your doctor to check for a bladder infection, ask for a CBC to see if you have a mild hypochromic microcytic anemia consistent with iron deficiency. You could also have blood drawn for a serum ferritin +/- a serum iron and TIBC to check this if you want the full work up. With iron replacement orally your pica should go away. http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/sec14/ch172/ch172c.html

      Another thought is irritable bowel syndrome – very common – causing bloating, crampy abdominal pain, gas, and irregular bowel movements. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/irritable-bowel-syndrome/DS00106

16. QUESTION:
    why is my anal itch still around?
    I have had anal itching now for a week, i told my doctor and she said it is just the stomach acid coming through with my bowel movements that is causing it to get irritated and itch. well i have used everything imaginable i even took pinworm medication even though i know i didnt have them. I was also given fluconozole, and that was no help. I am at a loss as to what to do. I am washing properly and everything. I know what caused it in the forst place was wiping too much and making my butt raw, but now the itching just wont stop….??? any answers?

    • ANSWER:
      Hello,

      Well, the diagnosis is still speculative, but you don’t mention “piles” (hemorrhoids) and that is a very common cause of itching down there, especially after minor trauma.

      ‘Piles’ is where you have mild, swollen varicose veins just inside your anus canal. They can start to itch, if irritated, just like varicose veins in the legs can.

      Here’s a picture, it shows largish hemorrhoids, but they can be small and still cause trouble. http://www.drhomeo.com/photos/HEMORRHOIDSANDHOMEOPATHY_91AC/image.png

      If it’s hemorrhoids (piles), you may likely have had some blood on the toilet paper when you wipe?

      What I am going to suggest may sound a bit ‘gross,’ but I think it’s worth a good try. It requires a certain degree of stoicism, and it depends on getting at the inside lining of the back passage, where piles are, to work.

      Have your bowels open. Then at a washbasin (in private) or in a shower, soap your hands and use one soapy finger to clean out inside the anus canal. Use plain water to clear out the soap.

      Get out and dry yourself. Get some cotton-wool and tear off a small piece, and roll it up into a small cylinder. Get some cortisone cream (1% hydrocortisone cream) or similar, – – Betnovate cream is maybe a bit strong for prolonged use. Soak up the cream into the cotton-wool wisp by rubbing and rolling.

      Insert this cream-y cotton-wool cylinder into your anus and work it gently inside. Leave it in there. The cotton-wool will soak up any discharge, and will also put internal pressure on the piles. The cortisone cream will damp down the itching and soreness.

      The cotton wool may drop out later inside your pants, or it will come out next time you have your bowels moved.

      Hope this is of some help. I have known this to work where other things have failed.

      Best wishes,

      Belliger (retired uk gp)
      belliger@nym.hush.com

17. QUESTION:
    blood in 3 week olds stool?
    I am waiting for my pediatrician office to open at 8 to call in to see my ped. but in the mean time I wanted to ask if anybody has any experience with this. My son was born December 11th he had been having normal BM’s up until yesterday evening he is formula fed (similac advanced with iron) and his stools have been like a brownish/tan color. Yesterday he had a BM it was a dark brown color not runny. And then last night about 2am my husband changed him and he had a bright orange colored stool with red mixed through. This morning I got up to feed him at 6am and as I was burping him he was farting (he’s been very gassy) and I figured I would go check his diaper again to make sure he didn’t poop and there was a little bit of dark green poop and blood in his diaper. He doesn’t seem to be in pain and isn’t fussy and his BM’s haven’t been hard so I wouldn’t think he would of gotten a anal tear from constipation.

    • ANSWER:
      Sometimes the blood in a baby’s poop is bright red, and sometimes it’s black (which means it’s been digested).

      Bright red blood can show up in baby poop for a few different reasons. Call your doctor if you notice:

      Normal poop tinged with red blood, which is often a sign of a milk protein allergy (pictured above).
      Constipated poop with a hint of red blood, likely a result of tears in the anus or tiny hemorrhoids.
      Diarrhea mixed with red blood, which can indicate a bacterial infection.

      http://www.babycenter.com/baby-poop-photos