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Does putting ice on hemorrhoids help?

In adults with symptomatic internal or external hemorrhoids, does topical application of ice or cold packs to the anorectal area reduce pain, swelling, or time to symptom resolution compared with no ice or other conservative measures?

Compiled 2026-10-05 · checked 2026-10-05 · next 2026-11-05 · automated review, how it works

What the evidence says

Bottom line

Icing hemorrhoids doesn't appear to ease pain more than not icing them, in the trials that tested it.

Three randomised trials applied a cooling device or cold water to the anal area in people with hemorrhoids, after a banding procedure, or after childbirth, and compared this with standard care or warm water. None found a meaningful difference in pain relief. These trials did not test whether ice reduces swelling, speeds healing, or prevents the need for further treatment — those questions remain unanswered for ice applied to the skin.

How certain

Moderate

One well-conducted randomised trial addresses this question directly.

What it shows

No meaningful benefit

Most of the evidence found no meaningful difference.

studies found
15studies found
randomised trials
4randomised trials
people studied
3,186people studied
years covered
1978–2014years covered

What the research shows

  • Pain score

    Three randomised trials compared a cooling device or cold water with no cooling (or with hot water) and found no meaningful difference in pain scores.[1,2,3]

    No improvement shown

  • Time to symptom resolution

    One trial tracking overall symptom relief after childbirth found no difference in pain resolution between a cooling device and standard care without it.[1]

    No improvement shown

  • Reduction in hemorrhoid size or swelling

    None of the trials testing simple ice or cooling devices measured hemorrhoid size or swelling directly.

    Not studied

  • Need for further intervention (e.g., surgery)

    No trial of ice packs or cooling devices tracked whether people later needed surgery or another procedure.

    Not studied

  • Recurrence of symptoms

    No trial of simple ice or cooling devices followed people long enough to report whether symptoms came back.

    Not studied

  • Skin irritation or cold injury from ice application

    No trial specifically measured skin irritation or cold injury. One device trial noted some people had trouble inserting the cooling device, but this was a practical complaint, not a measured injury.[1]

    Not studied

Important limitations

  • The trials tested manufactured cooling devices, like the Anurex, or cold-water sitz baths, not a plain ice cube or ice pack wrapped in a cloth. A simple home ice pack might feel different even though this is the closest evidence available.[1,2,3]
  • The populations tested were narrow: women right after childbirth, patients right after a rubber band procedure, and people with acute anal pain in an emergency setting. These groups may not represent everyone who tries icing at home.[1,2,3]
  • Most of the other research turned up by this search is about cryosurgery, a surgical freezing procedure done by a clinician using special equipment. That is very different from holding an ice pack against the skin, so it cannot be used to answer this question.[1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
  • The trials were small, ranging from 24 to 129 people, which limits how confident anyone can be in the finding of no benefit.[1,2,3]

Why people try it

  • Ice is a cheap, easy home remedy that many people already use for swelling and bruises elsewhere on the body.
  • Cold can feel numbing and soothing on sore skin, which may bring short-term comfort even if it doesn't change the underlying problem.
  • Ice packs are commonly listed in general home-care advice for hemorrhoids, so people assume the practice is proven.

What the studies found

  • Found a benefit4 · 27%
  • Found no clear effect4 · 27%
  • Mixed or unclear7 · 47%

What kind of studies

  • Case series7 · 47%
  • Narrative review4 · 27%
  • Randomised trial4 · 27%

The studies that decided it

  • Lam et al. 2012

    A novel device reduces anal pain after rubber band ligation: a randomized controlled trial

    No clear pain relief from cooling.Randomised trialLow qualityRelated question

    100 people3-6 weeks

    no significant difference in need for painkillers between groups; among those who used the cooler, 25% noticed improvement, while those who did not use it had lower pain scores than those who did

    Who was studied
    patients who had rubber band ligation for hemorrhoids
    What they received
    a frozen plastic anal cooling device used for pain
    Compared with
    no anal cooler (control group)
    Main outcome
    anal pain after the procedure, measured with a pain diary
    Quality
    small trial with inconsistent results and no clear reduction in overall pain or need for medication.
    Limitations
    Comparison of pain scores between users and non-users of the cooler was not randomized (self-selected use), and most pain after banding was described as mild overall.

    Taken word for word from the abstract

    • n 100 patients who underwent RBL were prospectively randomized into an anal cooler group (n = 50) or a control group (n = 50)
    • population 100 patients who underwent RBL
    • intervention a plastic device, the anal cooler which can be frozen in a freezer
    • comparator control group
    • primaryOutcome All patients were asked to keep a pain diary (0 = no pain; 10 = extreme pain)
    • result 24/50 patients (48 %) in the anal cooler group and 31/50 (62 %) in the control group needed oral analgesics (NS)
    • result Of these, 9/36 patients (25 %) noticed improvement
    • result The 14/50 patients (28 %), who did not use the cooler, had a lower post-banding pain score compared with patients who used the cooler (1.4 vs 6.4; P < 0.001)

    Tech Coloproctol · PMID 22527920 · Read it on PubMed ↗

  • Maestre et al. 2010

    [Cold or hot sitz baths in the emergency treatment of acute anal pain due to anorectal disease? Results of a randomised clinical trial]

    No difference found.Randomised trialLow quality

    24 people7 days

    no significant difference in pain control between cold and hot sitz baths

    Who was studied
    patients with acute anal pain from hemorrhoids or anal fissures
    What they received
    sitz baths with cold water (below 15°C)
    Compared with
    sitz baths with hot water (above 30°C)
    Main outcome
    pain level and quality of life at 7 days
    Quality
    very small number of patients (only 24) makes it hard to detect a true difference
    Limitations
    small sample size of only 24 randomised patients

    Taken word for word from the abstract

    • n 24 were randomised (Group 1: n=12 y Group 2: n=12)
    • population patients with acute anal pain due to haemorrhoids or anal fissures
    • intervention Sitz baths with water at a temperature of less than 15 degrees C
    • comparator Baths with a water temperature above 30 degrees C
    • primaryOutcome An analysis was made of the pain at 7 days (visual analogue scale), quality of life (SF-36)
    • result There were no statistical differences in pain

    Cir Esp · PMID 20580349 · Read it on PubMed ↗

  • Thomas et al. 1993

    Postpartum haemorrhoids--evaluation of a cooling device (Anurex) for relief of symptoms

    No benefit over standard care.Randomised trialModerate qualityRelated question

    129 people1993

    No difference in pain resolution between groups; other symptoms like bleeding and itching also not significantly improved

    Who was studied
    women with hemorrhoids after childbirth
    What they received
    Anurex cooling device applied to the anal area
    Compared with
    standard care without the cooling device
    Main outcome
    relief of hemorrhoid pain
    Quality
    It was a randomized trial but modest in size and only in postpartum women, not people with hemorrhoids generally.
    Limitations
    Small sample size; some participants had difficulty inserting the device; population limited to postpartum women.

    Taken word for word from the abstract

    • n 129 women randomly allocated to treatment and control groups
    • population Postpartum haemorrhoids are a common problem
    • intervention the recently marketed cooling device, Anurex
    • comparator treatment and control groups
    • primaryOutcome There was no difference in the rate of resolution of pain between the groups.
    • result There was no difference in the rate of resolution of pain between the groups. The test group estimated a greater duration of pain relief, but this was not statistically significant. Anal bleeding and itching were not significantly reduced in the test group.

    Med J Aust · PMID 8412917 · Read it on PubMed ↗

What actually helps, on this site

More about the condition:

All 15 studiesEvery study that answered the question, with its design, size and result.
The other 12 studiesEverything else the search returned, including anything retracted.
  • Fox et al. 2014

    Anorectal conditions: hemorrhoids

    Ice suggested, but not tested alone.Narrative reviewVery low qualityRelated question

    size not given2014

    abstract states this combination is the best management until recovery, with no comparative data given

    Who was studied
    people with prolapsed and strangulated hemorrhoids
    What they received
    stool softeners, analgesics, rest, warm soaks, and ice packs
    Main outcome
    recovery from prolapsed and strangulated hemorrhoids
    Quality
    this is a narrative review statement of expert-recommended management, not a study with data comparing ice to no ice
    Limitations
    no study design, data, or comparison is given for this recommendation; ice is only one part of a combined treatment approach

    Taken word for word from the abstract

    • population Prolapsed and strangulated hemorrhoids
    • intervention stool softeners, analgesics, rest, warm soaks, and ice packs until recovery
    • primaryOutcome are best managed with stool softeners, analgesics, rest, warm soaks, and ice packs until recovery
    • result Prolapsed and strangulated hemorrhoids are best managed with stool softeners, analgesics, rest, warm soaks, and ice packs until recovery; residual hemorrhoids are banded or excised later.

    FP Essent · PMID 24742083 · Read it on PubMed ↗

  • Serventi et al. 2011

    [Haemorrhoidal disease: role of conservative outpatient treatments]

    No specific result reported for ice.Narrative reviewLow qualityRelated question

    size not given2011

    abstract does not give a specific outcome or result for cryotherapy; it only lists it among reviewed techniques and states opinions are discordant across studies

    Who was studied
    people with haemorrhoidal disease treated as outpatients
    What they received
    cryotherapy (ice-based treatment) among other office treatments like rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, infrared photocoagulation, bipolar diathermy and direct current therapy
    Compared with
    other conservative outpatient techniques
    Main outcome
    procedure, indications, contraindications, results and limits of each outpatient technique
    Quality
    This is a narrative review without pooled data or a randomized comparison of all techniques, and it admits that opinions are discordant even among randomized studies.
    Limitations
    The abstract states there is no randomized trial comparing all these treatments, and many techniques are based on small or anecdotal series.

    Taken word for word from the abstract

    • population conservative office treatments of haemorrhoidal disease
    • intervention rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, cryotherapy, infrared photocoagulation, bipolar diathermy and direct current therapy
    • comparator Many are outpatient techniques proposed in current literature
    • primaryOutcome we describe procedure, indications, contraindications, results and limits
    • result Each method has its supporters, indications and limits; therefore in literature there are discordant opinions even when randomized studies are compared.

    Ann Ital Chir · PMID 21988040 · Read it on PubMed ↗

  • Coulom 2009

    [Nonsurgical therapy of hemorrhoids]

    No controlled studies done.Narrative reviewVery low quality

    size not given2009

    Cryotherapy has not been studied in controlled studies.

    Who was studied
    people with hemorrhoids
    What they received
    cryotherapy (ice treatment)
    Quality
    This is a narrative review and it states plainly that cryotherapy has never been tested in a controlled study, so there is no real evidence to judge it by.
    Limitations
    The abstract does not describe any study design, sample size, or outcome measures for cryotherapy specifically, only noting its absence from controlled research.

    Taken word for word from the abstract

    • intervention Cryotherapy has not been studied in controlled studies.
    • result Cryotherapy has not been studied in controlled studies.
    • population Hemorrhoids are a clinical and anatomical subject that has not been completely investigated.

    Gastroenterol Clin Biol · PMID 19762183 · Read it on PubMed ↗

  • MacKay 2001

    Hemorrhoids and varicose veins: a review of treatment options

    No outcome data reported for ice.Narrative reviewVery low qualityRelated question

    size not given2001

    not stated - cryotherapy is only mentioned as one treatment option among several, with no outcome data given

    Who was studied
    people with hemorrhoids
    What they received
    cryotherapy (one of several non-surgical treatments listed)
    Compared with
    other non-surgical treatments for hemorrhoids
    Quality
    This is a general review listing treatment options without reporting any study results or data for cryotherapy specifically.
    Limitations
    Abstract does not report any specific study, trial design, participant numbers, or outcome data for cryotherapy; it only lists it among several treatment modalities.

    Taken word for word from the abstract

    • intervention cryotherapy
    • population Hemorrhoids and varicose veins are common conditions seen by general practitioners.
    • comparator injection sclerotherapy, cryotherapy, manual dilation of the anus, infrared photocoagulation, bipolar diathermy, direct current electrocoagulation, or rubber band ligation
    • result When conservative hemorrhoid therapy is ineffective, many physicians may choose other non-surgical modalities: injection sclerotherapy, cryotherapy, manual dilation of the anus, infrared photocoagulation, bipolar diathermy, direct current electrocoagulation, or rubber band ligation.

    Altern Med Rev · PMID 11302778 · Read it on PubMed ↗

  • Singh 1998

    Cryohaemorrhoidectomy for primary haemorrhoids: an evaluation of the procedure in the Indian population

    Well tolerated, but effectiveness unclear.Case seriesVery low qualityRelated question

    174 people1998

    procedure was well accepted, cost effective, and had a low complication rate

    Who was studied
    people with primary hemorrhoids in India
    What they received
    cryotherapy (freezing) procedure for hemorrhoids
    Compared with
    no comparison group reported
    Main outcome
    how well patients accepted the procedure, cost, and complication rate
    Quality
    this was a small case series with no comparison group, so it can't show whether the treatment actually worked better than nothing.
    Limitations
    No control group; abstract does not report symptom or efficacy outcomes, only acceptability and complications.

    Taken word for word from the abstract

    • n The study of 174 patients
    • population evaluated for its efficacy and acceptability in the Indian population
    • intervention Cryotherapy is one of the available modalities for the management of primary haemorrhoids
    • comparator The study of 174 patients revealed the procedure to be well accepted, extremely cost effective and with a low complication rate in the Indian population, in contrast to the western experience.
    • primaryOutcome evaluated for its efficacy and acceptability in the Indian population
    • result revealed the procedure to be well accepted, extremely cost effective and with a low complication rate in the Indian population

    J Indian Med Assoc · PMID 9601185 · Read it on PubMed ↗

  • Madron et al. 1990

    [Cryotherapy of benign and malignant processes]

    Hemorrhoid symptoms improved quicklyCase seriesVery low qualityRelated question

    35 people1990

    symptoms went away quickly after treatment

    Who was studied
    patients with inflamed hemorrhoid nodes
    What they received
    cryosurgery (deep freezing) of hemorrhoid tissue
    Compared with
    none reported
    Main outcome
    resolution of hemorrhoid symptoms
    Quality
    This is a small, uncontrolled case series with no comparison group, so it can't show whether the treatment itself caused the improvement.
    Limitations
    No control group, no randomization, no blinding, and this is surgical freezing rather than simple ice application; outcomes described only as 'favourable' without data.

    Taken word for word from the abstract

    • population 35 patients with inflammations of haemorrhoidal nodes
    • intervention Cryosurgery is a method using brisk cooling of the tissue well beneath the freezing point
    • comparator the authors used between April 1986 and July 1987 this method in 35 patients with inflammations of haemorrhoidal nodes, 10 patients with haemangiomas and warts, the results being favourable
    • primaryOutcome The authors recommend acute treatment of haemorrhoids, as complaints recede rapidly.
    • result the results being favourable
    • n 35 patients with inflammations of haemorrhoidal nodes

    Rozhl Chir · PMID 2336600 · Read it on PubMed ↗

  • Mashiah et al. 1984

    Cryosurgery for life-threatening bleeding hemorrhoids in the elderly

    Freezing surgery stopped bleeding hemorrhoids.Case seriesVery low qualityRelated question

    43 peopletwo to five years

    results were excellent in all but one patient, who needed a repeat treatment after bleeding recurred, with no complications or deaths

    Who was studied
    elderly patients with severe, massive bleeding hemorrhoids
    What they received
    cryosurgery (freezing treatment using nitrous oxide gas) in an outpatient session
    Compared with
    none; no control group
    Main outcome
    resolution of bleeding and symptoms after treatment
    Quality
    This is a small, uncontrolled case series from 1984 with no comparison group, so it can't reliably show whether cryosurgery works better than doing nothing.
    Limitations
    No control group, no randomization, small sample, single-session case series design, old study.

    Taken word for word from the abstract

    • n Forty-three elderly patients with massive bleeding of hemorrhoidal varices were treated by cryosurgery
    • population Forty-three elderly patients with massive bleeding of hemorrhoidal varices
    • intervention treated by cryosurgery at a single outpatient session, using nitrous oxide gas, without premedication or anesthesia
    • comparator treated by cryosurgery at a single outpatient session
    • primaryOutcome The results were excellent in all but one patient
    • result The results were excellent in all but one patient, who had ulcerative colitis and required another session of cryotherapy following a recurrence of bleeding. There was no morbidity and no mortality.
    • followUp follow-up periods ranging from two to five years

    J Am Geriatr Soc · PMID 6606660 · Read it on PubMed ↗

  • Southam 1983

    Haemorrhoids treated by cryotherapy: a critical analysis

    Good results with careful patient choice.Case seriesVery low quality

    104 people1983

    careful patient selection gave good results and low recurrence; limiting the ice-ball to the mucosal part reduced pain and bleeding

    Who was studied
    patients with second, third degree or thrombosed prolapsed hemorrhoids
    What they received
    cryotherapy (freezing treatment) of hemorrhoids
    Compared with
    none
    Main outcome
    treatment results, complications and recurrence rate
    Quality
    this is an uncontrolled case series with no comparison group, so it cannot show whether cryotherapy actually works better than no treatment.
    Limitations
    no control group, no randomization, and outcomes described only in general terms without detailed statistics

    Taken word for word from the abstract

    • n One hundred and four patients with second, third degree or thrombosed prolapsed piles, treated by cryotherapy, were studied pre- and postoperatively.
    • population patients with second, third degree or thrombosed prolapsed piles
    • intervention treated by cryotherapy
    • comparator treated by cryotherapy, were studied pre- and postoperatively
    • primaryOutcome results of treatment
    • result Careful selection of patients will produce good results and a low recurrent rate.

    Ann R Coll Surg Engl · PMID 6870130 · Read it on PubMed ↗

  • Lewis et al. 1983

    Trial of maximal anal dilatation, cryotherapy and elastic band ligation as alternatives to haemorrhoidectomy in the treatment of large prolapsing haemorroids

    Less effective, more recurrence.Randomised trialModerate quality

    112 peoplebetween 6 months and 5 years

    cryotherapy was less effective than surgery or anal dilation, and more patients needed surgery later due to recurrent symptoms

    Who was studied
    patients with large prolapsing hemorrhoids that didn't respond to standard phenol injection treatment
    What they received
    cryotherapy (freezing treatment) for hemorrhoids
    Compared with
    surgical removal (haemorrhoidectomy), anal stretching, and rubber band ligation
    Main outcome
    reduction in hemorrhoid symptoms and signs
    Quality
    it was a randomized trial but with a small number of patients per treatment group and uneven follow-up times
    Limitations
    follow-up time varied widely between patients (6 months to 5 years), and the number of patients per treatment arm is not given, only the total.

    Taken word for word from the abstract

    • n A selected group of 112 patients with prolapsing haemorrhoids
    • population A selected group of 112 patients with prolapsing haemorrhoids which had failed to respond to injections of phenol in oil or which required manual replacement after defecation
    • intervention cryotherapy
    • comparator haemorrhoidectomy, maximal anal dilation, elastic band ligation
    • primaryOutcome reducing symptoms
    • result cryotherapy and elastic band ligation were less effective in both respects
    • result Patients in the other three groups developed recurrent symptoms requiring haemorrhoidectomy.
    • followUp followed up between 6 months and 5 years

    Br J Surg · PMID 6337671 · Read it on PubMed ↗

  • MacLeod 1982

    In defense of cryotherapy for hemorrhoids. A modified method

    No clear result reported.Case seriesVery low quality

    528 people1982

    abstract states cryotherapy is most effective and has fewest side effects when directed at internal hemorrhoids only, but gives no specific outcome data

    Who was studied
    people with hemorrhoids at various stages
    What they received
    cryotherapy (freezing) applied to internal hemorrhoids
    Main outcome
    correction of prolapse and bleeding from hemorrhoids
    Quality
    This is a descriptive report of procedures with no comparison group and no numeric outcome data, so it can't show whether the treatment actually worked.
    Limitations
    No control group, no specific outcome measurements reported, and it describes the author's own modified technique rather than a formal study.

    Taken word for word from the abstract

    • n The results of 528 treatment procedures are reported.
    • intervention Cryotherapy of hemorrhoids is most effective and has the least side effects when directed at the internal hemorrhoids only, at a high level, and in stages, each application being for a period of one minute only.
    • population A plan of treatment selection is presented, based on the stage of the hemorrhoids.
    • primaryOutcome correction of prolapse and bleeding by the creation of submucosal fibrosis
    • result Cryotherapy of hemorrhoids is most effective and has the least side effects when directed at the internal hemorrhoids only

    Dis Colon Rectum · PMID 6979469 · Read it on PubMed ↗

  • Lurz et al. 1978

    [Combined rubber band ligation and cryosurgery of hemorrhoids (author's transl)]

    Combined freezing and banding seemed to help.Case seriesVery low qualityRelated question

    200 people1978

    good results with less postoperative discomfort than freezing alone

    Who was studied
    patients with hemorrhoids, including large prolapsing (third degree) hemorrhoids
    What they received
    combined rubber band ligation and cryosurgery (freezing) of hemorrhoids
    Compared with
    cryotherapy (freezing) alone without banding
    Main outcome
    treatment success and postoperative discomfort
    Quality
    This is just a report on a series of patients with no control group and no statistics, so it can't really prove the treatment works.
    Limitations
    No control group, no statistical comparison, vague patient numbers, and this combines freezing with a separate banding procedure rather than ice alone.

    Taken word for word from the abstract

    • n more than 200 patients
    • population In third degree hemorrhoids, particularly in large prolapsing hemorrhoids
    • intervention combined rubber band ligation and cryosurgery of hemorrhoids
    • comparator postoperative complaints are less than by using the cryosond only
    • primaryOutcome a good therapy result was achieved on more than 200 patients
    • result it is an effective therapy in any kind of hemorrhoid ailments

    Med Klin · PMID 703664 · Read it on PubMed ↗

  • Wienert 1978

    [Cryotherapy for haemorrhoids (author's transl)]

    Mostly satisfactory, but caused pain.Case seriesVery low qualityRelated question

    1,737 people1978

    90% had a satisfactory result; 14% had severe pain immediately after treatment

    Who was studied
    patients with hemorrhoids
    What they received
    cryotherapy (cryosurgery) treatment of hemorrhoids
    Compared with
    none reported
    Main outcome
    satisfactory treatment result and pain after therapy
    Quality
    This is just a case review of patients who all got the treatment, with no comparison group and no long-term follow-up, so it can't really prove the treatment works.
    Limitations
    No follow-up results are reported, and there is no control/comparison group described.

    Taken word for word from the abstract

    • n Case reports of 1737 patients who were treated by cryotherapy have been analysed.
    • population Case reports of 1737 patients who were treated by cryotherapy have been analysed.
    • intervention treated by cryotherapy
    • comparator There are no follow-up results, because the treatment of haemorrhoids by cryosurgery is fairly new.
    • primaryOutcome This method gave a satisfactory result in 90% of the patients and 14% of the patients had severe pain immediately after the therapy.
    • result This method gave a satisfactory result in 90% of the patients and 14% of the patients had severe pain immediately after the therapy.

    Med Klin · PMID 305516 · Read it on PubMed ↗

How we searchedThe exact query, the date it ran, and what came back — so you can run it yourself.
Searched
PubMed · ClinicalTrials.gov · Crossref on 2026-10-05
The exact search — paste this into PubMed to repeat it
"Hemorrhoids"[Mesh] AND ("Cryotherapy"[Mesh] OR ice[tiab] OR "ice pack"[tiab] OR "cold application"[tiab] OR "cold pack"[tiab] OR cryotherapy[tiab])
PubMed expanded that to: "Hemorrhoids"[MeSH Terms] AND ("Cryotherapy"[MeSH Terms] OR "ice"[Title/Abstract] OR "ice pack"[Title/Abstract] OR "cold application"[Title/Abstract] OR "cold pack"[Title/Abstract] OR "Cryotherapy"[Title/Abstract])
What came back
63 records found · 63 read · 15 answered the question
Included
  • Human, animal or laboratory studies reporting an outcome relevant to the question
Excluded
  • Records about a different condition or intervention
  • Records reporting no outcome
  • Retracted publications, which are listed but excluded from every count
Limits
  • Details were read from abstracts, not full papers, so anything reported only in a paper's methods section is not captured here.
  • Fields were read from abstracts, not full text, so detail reported only in a paper's methods section is not captured.
  • Evidence strength is adapted from the GRADE framework. It is not a GRADE assessment and was not produced by a GRADE panel.

Automated evidence review — PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, Crossref. Search strategy, grading rules and the checks that must pass before anything publishes were written by Allen Kamrava, MD, MBA, FACS, FASCRS, colon & rectal surgery, Beverly Hills. The pages themselves are compiled by software running that method and are not read one by one before publication — saying otherwise would be the one claim here that could not be checked.

How we grade evidence →

  1. 63records came back from the search
  2. 63were read
  3. 15actually answered the question
Common questionsShort answers, drawn from the same studies.
Should I stop using ice on my hemorrhoids?
You don't have to. The trials found it didn't help more than not using it, but they also didn't find it caused harm. If it feels soothing to you, there's no evidence here that continuing is a problem.
Is ice the same as cryotherapy for hemorrhoids?
No. Cryotherapy, also called cryosurgery, is a medical procedure that freezes hemorrhoid tissue using special equipment. Putting an ice pack on the skin at home is much milder, and most of the research found in this search was actually about the surgical procedure, not home ice packs.
What did the strongest trial actually test?
A moderate-quality randomised trial gave women with hemorrhoids after childbirth a cooling device called Anurex, compared with standard care without it. It found no difference in pain relief between the two groups.
Does cold work better than warm sitz baths?
One small trial compared cold sitz baths with hot sitz baths in people with acute anal pain and found no difference in pain control between the two temperatures.
What should I do instead for hemorrhoid pain?
These studies didn't test other treatments like fiber, stool softeners, or topical medications, so this review can't say how well those work. If pain or bleeding continues, it's worth talking to a doctor.

This is information, not advice

This page summarises published research. It cannot tell you what is happening in your own body, and evidence changes. If something is bleeding, painful, or new, it is worth being looked at — that is a different question from the one on this page, and a better one to bring to a consultation.

Contact the office

Automated evidence review — PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, Crossref. Search strategy, grading rules and the checks that must pass before anything publishes were written by Allen Kamrava, MD, MBA, FACS, FASCRS, colon & rectal surgery, Beverly Hills. The pages themselves are compiled by software running that method and are not read one by one before publication — saying otherwise would be the one claim here that could not be checked.

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