Do Grade 3 and Grade 4 hemorrhoids go away? It is among the most frequent questions that we receive on a regular basis. Advanced internal hemorrhoids that chronically prolapse outside the anus, unfortunately, tend not to go away on their own without treatment.
Grades 3 and 4 often progressively worsen over time if left untreated. However, there are several effective surgical and nonsurgical options that can remove or shrink prolapsed hemorrhoids.
This article reviews whether grades 3 and 4 truly go away and the procedures that can provide long-term relief.
Do Grade 3 And Grade 4 Hemorrhoids Go Away? Key Points
- Grades 3 and 4 are unlikely to permanently go away without procedural intervention.
- These grades often slowly worsen over time if left untreated.
- Temporary relief is possible with conservative measures.
- Office procedures or surgery are required to permanently resolve chronic prolapse.
- Hemorrhoidectomy and hemorrhoidopexy excise or reposition prolapsing tissue.
Do Grade 3 Hemorrhoids Go Away Permanently?
While small grade 3 hemorrhoids may occasionally shrink and improve temporarily with conservative at-home treatments, significant or prolonged grade 3 hemorrhoids generally do not go away permanently without procedural intervention.
They tend to slowly enlarge and advance in severity as straining and constipation continue. If left alone, grade 3 hemorrhoids frequently progress to being constantly prolapsed grade 4 hemorrhoids.
What Removes Grade 3 Hemorrhoids?
Treatments that reduce blood flow to the hemorrhoids, allowing them to shrink and recede, are required to get rid of significant grade 3 hemorrhoids.
Rubber band ligation and infrared coagulation are examples of office-based treatments that excise or cauterize tissue.
Injection sclerotherapy uses chemicals to shrink hemorrhoids. Cryosurgery freezes them off. For large protruding hemorrhoids, surgery may be necessary.
Do Grade 4 Hemorrhoids Go Away Permanently?
Grade 4 hemorrhoids, where prolapse is constant, almost never resolve without procedure. The protruding tissue gradually enlarges and becomes increasingly prone to bleeding and irritation.
Without treatment, grade 4 hemorrhoids tend to remain chronically prolapsed and symptomatic. They require interventions to reposition or excise the tissue.
What Removes Grade 4 Hemorrhoids?
Complete hemorrhoid removal requires surgery, typically hemorrhoidectomy or hemorrhoidopexy. Hemorrhoidectomy cuts out the hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoidopexy repositions and anchors the hemorrhoidal tissue back in place inside the rectum. Both provide permanent improvement of prolapse by treating the underlying enlarged hemorrhoids and weakened rectal muscles.
Conservative Measures Offer Temporary Relief
Dietary changes, stool softeners, hydration, warm baths, and ointments may temporarily reduce discomfort, bleeding, and swelling of higher-grade hemorrhoids.
However, these measures do not treat the underlying hemorrhoids, so prolapse and symptoms inevitably continue long-term if the hemorrhoids are not addressed.
Progression to Higher Grades without Treatment
Conservative symptom management does not stop progression to more severe prolapse since the abnormal hemorrhoid tissue remains.
Grades 1 and 2 can evolve into grades 3 and 4 without procedures to permanently remove or reposition the hemorrhoids.
Final Note From Dr. Rajarshi Mitra
I hope this overview explains why advanced hemorrhoid grades do not typically resolve permanently without treatment.
Various effective options exist to remove or shrink prolapsed hemorrhoids and provide lasting relief. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Dr. Rajarshi Mitra is a patient-centered, highly-rated Specialist Laparoscopic Surgeon & Proctologist in Abu Dhabi, offering Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery, Minimally Invasive Proctology & Lasers in Proctology. He is MBBS; MS (Surgery); FIAGES; FICS (USA); Dip. Lap (France); and Dip. Hernia (APHS) with 18 years of extensive experience in Laparoscopic Surgery, Minimally Invasive Proctology and Fellowship training in Colorectal and Bariatric Surgery.
