Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization: Non-Surgical Hemorrhoid Treatment

If you have been managing hemorrhoids for months or years and conservative treatments have stopped helping, you may have been recommended for hemorrhoidectomy — the surgical removal of hemorrhoids. Before committing to surgery, it is worth knowing that hemorrhoid artery embolization offers a non-surgical alternative that addresses hemorrhoid bleeding through a catheter-based procedure, with significantly less pain and a much faster recovery than traditional surgical approaches.

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common conditions affecting adults, but the range of treatment options is not always clearly explained. Many patients progress from over-the-counter treatments to physician-administered office procedures to surgery without ever hearing about interventional radiology options that exist between those endpoints.

At Seamless Medical Centers, Dr. Zagum Bhatti, Board-Certified Interventional Radiologist, performs HAE for patients across Southeast Texas and the Houston area. Both Houston-area HAE services and Port Arthur HAE services are available at our Port Arthur office.

What Are Hemorrhoids and Why Do They Cause Bleeding?

Hemorrhoids are enlarged or inflamed blood vessels in and around the rectum and anus. Internal hemorrhoids develop inside the rectum, above the dentate line, and are the type most commonly responsible for rectal bleeding — the bright red blood you may notice on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. External hemorrhoids develop under the skin around the anus and more commonly cause pain, itching, and discomfort rather than bleeding.

Internal hemorrhoids bleed because the thin rectal mucosa covering them is fragile and easily disrupted during bowel movements. As hemorrhoids enlarge, the small arteries supplying them deliver increased blood flow, making the vessels more prominent and bleeding more likely. This is the mechanism that HAE targets: by reducing the arterial blood supply to the hemorrhoidal tissue, the engorgement decreases and bleeding improves.

Risk factors for symptomatic hemorrhoids include chronic straining during bowel movements, prolonged sitting (including on the toilet), low-fiber diets, pregnancy, obesity, and family history. Chronic diarrhea or constipation both contribute to hemorrhoid development and worsening.

The HAE Procedure: How It Works

Hemorrhoid artery embolization works by selectively blocking the small arteries supplying the internal hemorrhoidal tissue, reducing blood flow to the engorged vessels and allowing them to shrink. This is performed using a catheter — a thin, flexible tube — inserted through a small puncture in the wrist or groin and guided to the hemorrhoidal arteries using real-time X-ray imaging.

The procedure uses micro-coils or embolic particles to block specific arterial branches supplying the hemorrhoids. This targeted approach reduces hemorrhoidal blood flow without disrupting blood supply to the surrounding rectal tissue. The procedure is performed under conscious sedation, not general anesthesia, and takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Most patients go home the same day.

Unlike traditional hemorrhoid procedures — including hemorrhoidectomy, rubber band ligation, and sclerotherapy — HAE does not involve any direct manipulation of the hemorrhoidal tissue through the anus. This is the primary reason the post-procedure pain is dramatically lower than after surgical hemorrhoidectomy, which notoriously involves significant post-operative pain due to the sensitivity of the anal region.

Who Is a Candidate for HAE?

HAE is most appropriate for patients with grade II or III internal hemorrhoids who have persistent bleeding despite conservative management and office-based treatments. Patients who have tried and not found lasting relief from fiber supplementation, sitz baths, topical medications, and rubber band ligation are often the most appropriate candidates for HAE evaluation. Patients who are not surgical candidates due to medical comorbidities, or who simply prefer to avoid surgery, are also often good candidates.

HAE is primarily indicated for hemorrhoid bleeding rather than pain. Patients whose primary complaint is pain from thrombosed external hemorrhoids or pain from prolapsed tissue may be better served by surgical approaches that directly address the external components. During the consultation, Dr. Bhatti evaluates whether HAE is the most appropriate option based on your hemorrhoid grade, symptom pattern, and prior treatment history.

HAE Compared to Hemorrhoidectomy

Hemorrhoidectomy — surgical excision of hemorrhoidal tissue — is the most definitive treatment for symptomatic hemorrhoids and produces excellent long-term results. However, it is also one of the most painful outpatient procedures performed, with recovery typically involving two to four weeks of significant anal pain, limited activity, and careful wound care. Most patients require prescription pain medication for the first week to two weeks. Read the detailed comparison of HAE vs hemorrhoidectomy for a full breakdown of how these approaches differ.

HAE recovery is significantly lighter. Most patients experience mild discomfort and return to work within two to three days. The absence of anal incisions means there is no wound to care for and no risk of the anal stricture or fecal incontinence that can occasionally complicate surgical hemorrhoidectomy. For patients in Southeast Texas and the Houston area who cannot accommodate a multi-week recovery, HAE’s recovery profile represents a meaningful practical advantage.

For patients who want to understand whether HAE is right for their hemorrhoid situation, contact Seamless Medical Centers to schedule a consultation. Visit our services overview for information on the full range of procedures.

Schedule Your Consultation

To learn more about your options, contact Seamless Medical Centers to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bhatti. Phone: 409-213-9575. Address: 3300 Jimmy Johnson Blvd, Suite #130, Port Arthur, Texas 77642.