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7 Habits That Can Make Hemorrhoids Worse
June 25, 2026
Hemorrhoids are common, but that doesn’t make them any less uncomfortable.
They happen when blood vessels in or around the lower rectum and anus become swollen or irritated. When that happens, you might notice bleeding, itching, swelling or pain.
“Many people have them, but everyday habits can make symptoms much worse,” says Jeremy Matloff, MD, a gastroenterologist with PACT Gastroenterology Center and Hartford HealthCare’s Digestive Health Institute. “However, small changes can help a lot.”
Here are some common habits that could be making your hemorrhoids symptoms worse.
1. Straining during bowel movements
The longer and harder you have to work to pass stool, the more likely you are to irritate hemorrhoids.
“Straining, often from constipation or hard stools, increases pressure in the veins around the anus,” says Dr. Matloff. “It’s a very common trigger for hemorrhoid flare-ups.”
Try this: Increase fiber gradually, drink more water and don’t force it if nothing is happening.
> Related: What’s Causing My Hemorrhoids?
2. Sitting on the toilet too long
Scrolling on your phone might seem harmless, but that extra time on the toilet can make things worse.
“Even 10 to 15 minutes can increase pressure on the rectal veins,” says Dr. Matloff. “The longer you sit, the more pressure builds, so don’t make the toilet a reading room.”
Try this: Go when you feel the urge and don’t sit for more than five minutes.
> Related: The 8 Best Foods for Your Colon
3. Not getting enough fiber
Eating enough fiber is one of the best ways to prevent and manage hemorrhoids.
“Fiber can help reduce straining, which can prevent hemorrhoids from flaring up,” says Dr. Matloff. “Without enough fiber, stools become hard and difficult to pass.”
Try this: Aim for 25 to 30 grams daily from fruits, vegetables, whole grains or supplements.
> Related: The Surprising Amount of Fiber You Actually Need
4. Not drinking enough water
But all that fiber only works if you’re hydrated.
“Without enough fluid, stool becomes dry, which makes it harder to pass, and requires more straining,” says Dr. Matloff. “Water helps keep everything moving and keeps the stool soft, so it’s easy to pass.”
Try this: Stay hydrated – aim for about 8 glasses of water a day.
5. Ignoring the urge to go
When you put off a bowel movement, stool sits in the colon longer. That gives your body more time to absorb water from it, making it drier, harder and tougher to pass.
“If you ignore the signal, your body adapts, and that often leads to constipation,” says Dr. Matloff. “It also makes stool harder and more difficult to pass.”
Try this: Go when your body tells you to.
> Related: 5 Ways to Beat Constipation
6. Chronic diarrhea
Constipation isn’t the only thing that causes problems.
“Frequent loose stools can irritate the area and worsen irritation,” says Dr. Matloff. “Both extremes can trigger symptoms.”
Try this: Talk to your doctor if diarrhea is ongoing.
> Related: Does Alcohol Cause Diarrhea?
7. Sitting too much
Long periods of sitting, especially at a desk, can increase pressure.
“Movement helps stimulate the gut,” says Dr. Matloff. “Even short walks can improve your symptoms.”
Try this: Take breaks and move throughout the day.
> Related: Is Your Poor Posture Causing Tech Neck?
Hemorrhoids are common and often manageable
Small daily habits matter more than you might realize. In many cases, the same habits causing hemorrhoids are also the ones that keep symptoms from improving.
“If you address the habits, you can often improve the symptoms,” says Dr. Matloff. “And if they’re not improving, don’t ignore them or feel embarrassed to bring it up. We talk about this every day, and we have treatments that can help.”