What Do Hemorrhoids Feel Like?

That is quite a weird question, isn't it? Well, for curiosity's sake, we will attempt to answer this in the most descriptive and informative way possible.

In order to determine how hemorrhoids feel like, we will divide them into two types: internal and external. Both of them differ in texture and how they affect the whole body. Here's how you can tell them apart:

•    Internal hemorrhoids
As the name suggests, they are found within the rectum – beyond our sight and touch. You usually won't feel them because the rectum only has a few pain-sensor nerves; the occasional bleeding due to rupturing (and can usually be seen during bowel release), and sometimes mucus discharge, is the only way to know that they're there.

When they get enlarged and start protruding – this is also known as prolapse, outside the anus, they look like small pink masses that feel soft and moist to the touch. This is where they start to hurt a little bit, but they usually shrink back inside the rectum involuntarily or can be gently pushed back.

Like any normal hemorrhoid, internal ones rupture as well but you won't feel anything once they do – you will only see blood leaking out of your anus. But when it doesn't, and sometimes when it's prolapsed, you feel like you always have the need to have a bowel movement.

•    External hemorrhoids
    These are the ones that you definitely need to watch out for. They range from being pea-sized, to being prolapsed – usually starting out as an internal hemorrhoid, which can be seen and felt within the anal opening, but most of the time, doesn't have a plan to shrink back anytime soon, plus it can be painful.
These hemorrhoids can also experience thrombosis, or the development of a blood clot inside them often after experiencing diarrhea or constipation. It becomes a firm lump with a spongy texture on the anus' rim and looks like a swollen grape. Don't panic though because thrombosed hemorrhoids are not that serious, but you will feel pain and discomfort from the itchiness.
 
On the other hand, you can still feel the same symptoms even when the hemorrhoid isn't thrombosed.

Although, unlike its internal counterpart, when it ruptures due to excessive blood clot, it will bleed and be painful and may cause scarring while it heals. It is highly suggested that when the pain starts getting unbearable, or when the thrombosed bump gets too severe, go see a doctor to check up on you and work up a remedy for the pain.

Additional note: people can have both types of hemorrhoids at the same time.

To summarize everything, internal hemorrhoids are soft and moist when prolapsed, and external ones are firm and spongy in texture when thrombosed (and obviously, also somewhat gooey when it ruptures).

With this, not only do you now know the textures of a hemorrhoid, you can now determine – in the case of external ones at least – when it looks and feels severe to the point of bursting, and be able to prevent it at an earlier time.