Your Trusted Internal Hemorrhoid Treatment Experts in Rapid City, SD & the Black Hills
What Are Chronic Internal Hemorrhoids?
Chronic internal hemorrhoids are swollen, engorged blood vessels inside the lower rectum that cause recurring bleeding, discomfort, and pressure. Unlike a single hemorrhoid flare-up that resolves on its own, chronic internal hemorrhoids persist or keep coming back despite diet changes, topical treatments, and over-the-counter remedies. Left untreated, they can continue to bleed, prolapse, or interfere with daily life.
If you’ve been managing hemorrhoid symptoms for months — or years — without lasting relief, hemorrhoid artery embolization (HAE) offers a minimally invasive option that treats the underlying blood flow driving your symptoms, without surgery.
What Is Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization (HAE)?
Hemorrhoid artery embolization is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure that reduces blood flow to the arteries feeding internal hemorrhoids, causing them to shrink and symptoms like bleeding and discomfort to subside. Instead of removing tissue surgically, an interventional radiologist accesses the arteries through a small catheter and blocks blood flow to the swollen hemorrhoidal tissue from the inside. Because HAE preserves the anal canal and doesn’t require incisions, it typically involves less pain and a faster recovery than a surgical hemorrhoidectomy.
Read more about our Vascular Treatments. If you’ve been told surgery is your only option for hemorrhoids, consider getting a second opinion with our minimally invasive specialists.
Quick Facts
- Outpatient procedure, typically 45–60 minutes
- Performed with local anesthesia and light sedation — no general anesthesia
- Most patients go home the same day
- Light activity resumes within 1–2 days
Symptoms of Chronic Internal Hemorrhoids
Common signs include:
- Rectal bleeding, often noticed on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl
- Itching or irritation around the anus
- A feeling of fullness, swelling, or pressure in the rectum
- Discomfort or pain, especially during bowel movements
- A sense of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement
- Tissue that protrudes (prolapses) during or after a bowel movement
Causes & Risk Factors for Internal Hemorrhoids
Straining during bowel movements
Chronic constipation or diarrhea
Prolonged sitting, including long periods on the toilet
Pregnancy
Family history of hemorrhoids
Aging
How Are Internal Hemorrhoids Diagnosed?
At Black Hills Cardiovascular, our approach includes:
- Review of your medical history and symptoms
- A physical and rectal exam
- Anoscopy or colonoscopy, if needed, to rule out other causes of bleeding
- Imaging to map the rectal arterial anatomy before treatment
Internal Hemorrhoid Treatment Options
- Increased fiber and fluid intake
- Topical treatments and stool softeners
- Sitz baths
- Rubber band ligation for smaller hemorrhoids
When conservative measures and in-office procedures haven’t provided lasting relief — or symptoms keep returning — hemorrhoid artery embolization offers a minimally invasive option that treats the blood vessels feeding the hemorrhoids, without surgery or a hospital stay.
What to Know About Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization (HAE)
How Does Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization Work?
- Performed as an outpatient procedure
- A thin catheter is guided through the wrist or groin to the arteries supplying the hemorrhoids using imaging
- Small particles block blood flow to the swollen tissue, causing it to shrink over time
- No incisions, no general anesthesia, no hospital stay
What Are the Benefits of HAE?
- Minimally invasive with a fast return to normal activity
- Preserves normal anal sphincter function, avoiding risks like incontinence associated with surgical hemorrhoidectomy
- Performed on an outpatient basis with no hospital stay
- Reduces bleeding, pain, and discomfort
Am I a Candidate for HAE?
- Patients with symptomatic internal hemorrhoids that persist despite conservative treatment
- Those who want to avoid a surgical hemorrhoidectomy
- Medically cleared by an interventional specialist after imaging confirms suitable arterial anatomy
- Note: HAE is designed for internal hemorrhoids; external hemorrhoids may require a different treatment approach
What Is Recovery Like After HAE?
- Most patients go home the same day
- Light activity can resume within 1–2 days
- Avoid heavy lifting and straining for about a week
- Symptom improvement typically develops gradually over several weeks as blood flow to the hemorrhoidal tissue decreases
Frequently Asked Questions About Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization
How much does hemorrhoid artery embolization cost?
Cost depends on your insurance coverage, anatomy, and treatment plan. Our team can help verify your insurance benefits and walk you through self-pay options during your consultation.
Does hemorrhoid artery embolization work for external hemorrhoids?
HAE is designed to treat internal hemorrhoids by targeting the arteries that feed them. External hemorrhoids typically respond to different treatments, so a physical exam is used to confirm which type you have before recommending HAE.
How soon will I feel relief after hemorrhoid artery embolization?
Many patients notice reduced bleeding within the first few weeks, with continued improvement in discomfort and swelling over the following weeks as the treated tissue shrinks.
Is hemorrhoid artery embolization painful?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and light sedation. Most patients feel minimal discomfort, with only mild pressure or soreness at the catheter access site.
Can hemorrhoid artery embolization be repeated?
Yes. If symptoms persist or new hemorrhoids develop, repeat embolization or additional therapies may be considered.
Can hemorrhoid artery embolization help me avoid surgery?
Yes. For many patients with chronic internal hemorrhoids, HAE offers a minimally invasive alternative to surgical hemorrhoidectomy, with less downtime and a lower risk of complications like incontinence.
Is hemorrhoid artery embolization covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by insurance provider. Many patients can use insurance or FSA/HSA funds, and our team can help verify coverage and discuss self-pay options.
Why Choose Black Hills Cardiovascular for Hemorrhoid Treatment?
Our team combines advanced vascular and interventional expertise with a holistic, patient-centered approach. We collaborate with primary care providers and gastroenterologists to create a personalized plan for lasting hemorrhoid relief.
Schedule Your Hemorrhoid Treatment Consultation in Rapid City
If you’re ready to explore hemorrhoid artery embolization or other advanced treatments for chronic internal hemorrhoids, contact Black Hills Cardiovascular today. Call (605) 503-8192 or send us a contact form to schedule a consultation.
