What Can Cause Hemorrhoids to Have an Odor?
Hemorrhoids, or piles, are swollen blood vessels around your anus or inside your lower rectum. They form when there’s too much pressure on your anus. Chronic constipation, prolonged sitting, and a family history of hemorrhoids are some factors that can contribute to their development.
Hemorrhoids become more common with age. The National Institutes of Health says that about 1 in 20 Americans have them, and that number increases to about 1 in 2 in adults who are more than 50 years old.
Itchiness, pain, and bleeding are common symptoms of hemorrhoids. Although it’s not a typical symptom, a bad odor can be a symptom of hemorrhoids. A bad smell can also be a symptom of anal leakage, an infection, or the result of pain keeping you from cleaning your anus completely.
Keep reading to learn what causes hemorrhoids to smell and how you can treat it.
