Written by Tracy Norfleet, MD, MBA, FACP, ABOM | Reviewed by Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH
Published on July 8, 2024
Key takeaways:
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, probiotics, and polyphenols. These compounds promote a healthy gut and act as a mild astringent.
There’s no evidence that drinking apple cider vinegar can help relieve or prevent hemorrhoids.
There’s no evidence that it’s safe or effective to put apple cider vinegar directly on hemorrhoids. The acid in apple cider vinegar may irritate hemorrhoids and make symptoms worse.
AleksandarGeorgiev/E+ via Getty Images
Millions of people in the United States have hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are inflamed blood vessels inside and around the anus and rectum. Hemorrhoids can cause pain, discomfort, itching, and burning. Although hemorrhoids can be unpleasant, they usually go away on their own. But it can take days to weeks for hemorrhoids to heal. In the meantime, people turn to various OTC and natural remedies to help relieve hemorrhoid itching and pain.
Some people use apple cider vinegar to help with hemorrhoid symptoms. Fans also claim that drinking apple cider vinegar can prevent hemorrhoids. It’s true that apple cider vinegar naturally contains helpful compounds like:
Acetic acid, a weak acid that can kill bacteria
Tannins, a polyphenol that acts as an astringent to help cleanse skin
Probiotics and prebiotics, which support gut health
Can apple cider vinegar help with hemorrhoids?
It’s not clear. There’s no evidence that apple cider vinegar can cure hemorrhoids or make hemorrhoids go away faster.
There’s very limited research on whether apple cider vinegar can treat hemorrhoids symptoms or prevent hemorrhoids in the first place. Without well-designed human studies, it’s impossible to say whether it’s safe to use apple cider vinegar for hemorrhoid prevention and treatment. It’s also impossible to say whether apple cider vinegar actually works to help with hemorrhoids.
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Some experts recommend apple cider vinegar for hemorrhoid treatment based on the fact that apple cider vinegar has skin-soothing (astringent) properties. For example, some experts recommend soaking a cotton ball with diluted apple cider vinegar and then dabbing the cotton ball on inflamed hemorrhoids to help relieve pain and itchiness. But again, there’s no evidence that this method actually helps relieve symptoms.
Some people also add diluted apple cider vinegar to a sitz bath to help with hemorrhoid itchiness and discomfort. Sitz baths have been shown to relieve hemorrhoid symptoms. But there’s no evidence that adding apple cider vinegar makes sitz baths work better.
Some people also argue that apple cider vinegar can help prevent hemorrhoids by preventing constipation. People are more likely to develop hemorrhoids if they’re constipated.
But it’s not clear if apple cider vinegar truly prevents constipation. Apple cider vinegar contains prebiotics and probiotics, which help maintain a gut microbiome. An unbalanced gut microbiome has been linked to a higher risk of developing constipation. But your gut microbiome isn’t the only thing that determines whether you develop constipation. Many other things — like hydration, diet and activity level — also play a role. So addressing the gut microbiome isn’t always enough to keep someone from developing constipation.
Looking for hemorrhoid remedies? Here’s our top OTC and home remedies for long-lasting hemorrhoid relief.
What you eat can impact your hemorrhoids. Here are foods to avoid if you’re prone to hemorrhoids (and what to eat instead).
Can hemorrhoids put you at risk for erectile dysfunction? Find out what science says about the link between hemorrhoids and erectile dysfunction.
Can apple cider vinegar make hemorrhoids worse?
Probably. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid. Although acetic acid is a weak acid, it’s still an acid. Applying acid (even in a diluted form) to inflamed hemorrhoids — or any inflamed skin — can cause more damage. This can worsen your symptoms and aggravate inflammation and prolong healing time.
But again, there’s limited evidence on the use of apple cider vinegar to treat hemorrhoids. That means it’s also impossible to know whether apple cider vinegar will always make hemorrhoids worse. Some people may use it and feel just fine. Others may use it and feel worse. Right now there’s just not enough evidence to know whether apple cider vinegar can safely be used to treat hemorrhoids.
What other natural hemorrhoid remedies can you try instead?
A definitive answer on the apple cider vinegar and hemorrhoids debate may be years away. But in the meantime, there are other natural remedies that have been shown to prevent and treat hemorrhoids. Here are five remedies you can safely use right now for hemorrhoid prevention or treatment.
Drink more water
Not drinking enough water can lead to constipation. When you’re constipated, you strain to have a bowel movement, which can aggravate hemorrhoids. If you’re hydrated, then your stool is hydrated, too. Stool that contains more water is easier to pass so you don’t strain. Staying hydrated may lower your risk of developing hemorrhoids. It will also make it easier to pass a stool when you already have hemorrhoids.
Make sure to drink enough water to meet your daily needs, this is usually 90 oz to 125 oz per day depending on your muscle mass.
Eat more fiber
Fiber bulks up your stool, making it easier to pass. If you’re prone to hemorrhoids it’s important to eat enough fiber to avoid straining. Aim for 25 g to 35 g of fiber each day to avoid constipation. Foods that are naturally high in fiber include:
Fruits
Vegetables
Nuts
Whole grains
Beans
You can also try fiber supplements. Just make sure you’re drinking enough water, too. Fiber can actually make your stools harder to pass if you’re dehydrated.
Don’t spend too long on the toilet
Sitting on the toilet for a long time can lead to straining. When you’re sitting on the toilet, avoid distractions like books, magazines, and electronic devices. This will help you limit your time on the toilet. Also consider using a stool or squatty potty to help position yourself and promote a quicker bowel movement.
Take a sitz bath
A sitz bath involves soaking your perineal area — the area around your anus and genitals — in warm water. The warm water helps increase blood flow to your hemorrhoids and promotes healing. Sitz baths also relieve symptoms like pain and itching. You can take a sitz bath for about 10 to 15 minutes several times a day.
Move more
Physical activity can help you move your bowels more regularly. This helps you avoid constipation and lowers your risk for developing hemorrhoids. But opt for aerobic activities like walking, jogging, running, and swimming.
Some exercises can actually increase your risk of developing hemorrhoids. For example, squatting and weight lifting, can increase the pressure inside your abdomen and can aggravate hemorrhoids. Your healthcare team can help you figure out which activities are safest if you’re prone to hemorrhoids.
The bottom line
Hemorrhoids can be quite painful and unpleasant. There are claims that apple cider vinegar can help hemorrhoids. But there’s no evidence that apple cider vinegar can treat hemorrhoid symptoms or prevent future hemorrhoids. Apple cider vinegar will not cure hemorrhoids. And, there’s a risk that apple cider vinegar can make hemorrhoid symptoms worse by irritating inflamed skin. The good news is there are other natural ways to prevent and relieve hemorrhoids, like staying hydrated and eating more fiber.
Written by:Tracy Norfleet, MD, MBA, FACP, ABOMDr. Tracy Norfleet is a board-certified internal medicine physician, health expert, and physician leader with over 20 years of experience practicing adult medicine.
Edited by:
Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH
Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.
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References
Lawrence, A., et al. (2023). External hemorrhoid. StatPearls.
Pan, R., et al. (2022). Crosstalk between the gut microbiome and colonic motility in chronic constipation: Potential mechanisms and microbiota modulation. Nutrients.
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