Cycling Hemorrhoids: Is Cycling Good for Piles?

This article will help understand what is cycling hemorrhoids and learn how to avoid or treat it properly!
By
John Watson
John Watson
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John is an experienced cycling enthusiast and a great asset when it comes to writing skills. He's a Bachelor of Arts and a talented journalist. John is in charge of our blog read more
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Jessica Kingston
Jessica Kingston
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Jessica is our expert consultant on all things connected to biking - gear, technique, you name it. Being a pro cyclist in the past, she knows exactly how things work in and read more
Last updated: August 08, 2023
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Hemorrhoids (also known as piles) are a common medical issue that occurs in many adults. They are especially cumbersome for people who enjoy cycling. Cycling hemorrhoids can cause extreme discomfort both while riding and not. If you are experiencing anal itching, bleeding, or sores, you may be experiencing this problem. The are many over-the-counter treatments to help with hemorrhoids. Any sport or pass time that includes sitting for extended periods can result in them. While there is no evidence to suggest that cycling can cause hemorrhoids, it can worsen their condition of them and cause extra discomfort for the cyclist. Cycling is an excellent exercise, but if you suffer from hemorrhoids, you may be wondering if you should cycle. This article will tell you the risks of biking hemorrhoids. We will also discuss ways to do it safely. Read this article to decide if you should cycle while having this issue or not. 

What are the types of hemorrhoids?

There are three main types of hemorrhoids:

  • Internal are those lying inside the rectum. They can’t be seen or felt and usually they cause no discomfort. Too much straining or irritation when defecating can cause bleeding.
  • External are those located under the skin around the anus. When irritated. it can be seen and cause pain or itch.
  • Thrombose are those that cause bleeding in an external one and a clot or thrombus is formed and causes discomfort, pain, swelling, inflammation, and a hard lump.

Is it safe to bike with hemorrhoids?

Cycling Hemorrhoids: Is Cycling Good for Piles?
It is imperative to take safety precautions if you want to cycle with hemorrhoids. Biking without taking the proper precautions is likely to worsen the condition of your hemorrhoid flare-up. Between the workout that causes muscle tension and the pressure of the seat on the affected area, biking without taking precautions is not a good idea and can cause continued pain even when the bike ride is over.

If you wonder whether cycling is bad for hemorrhoids Trusted Source Hemorrhoids | Piles | MedlinePlus Hemorrhoids (piles) are swollen veins that sometimes protrude from the anus. medlineplus.gov or not. The answer is yes and it should only be done in moderation. Can bike riding cause hemorrhoids to bleed? Yes, extended times spent sitting on the bike seat for extended periods can cause the blood to rush to your hemorrhoids and cause more irritation or bleeding than you might already be experiencing. Riding a bike with hemorrhoids can cause the hemorrhoids to last longer than they would if you do not cycle also.

There are ways to reduce the damage to hemorrhoids from cycling, such as treating the hemorrhoids with cream or purchasing a bike seat that will not irritate the area too much. There are times when you can’t wait a few days to cycle, especially if you cycle competitively. If this is the case, you should that care of yourself by buying a seat that is appropriate for you.

Having hemorrhoids doesn’t mean you can never cycle again. Cycling hemorrhoids are not directly linked together, and there is no evidence to suggest that biking will directly cause hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids usually clear up within a few days, so the best thing you can do to make sure that you heal as fast as you can is to avoid irritation. If you do decide to cycle with hemorrhoids, then you should only bike short distances and avoid trails.

What can cause the hemorrhoids to flare up?

Many things can cause hemorrhoids to flare up Trusted Source Hemorrhoids | Student Health and Counseling Services Overview of Hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids are inflamed veins within swollen tissue of the anus and rectum. Hemorrhoids are very common. Hemorrhoids may become symptomatic as a result of activities or conditions that increase pressure in these veins. This in turn results in distention and engorgement of the veins. Straining with defecation, constipation, frequent diarrhea episodes, prolonged sitting, pregnancy, obesity and low fiber diet all may contribute to hemorrhoids. shcs.ucdavis.edu . Hemorrhoids are very common in adults and usually do not need medical intervention. People who have experienced hemorrhoids are more likely to experience them again than people who have never experienced hemorrhoids. It is very common for pregnant women to experience hemorrhoids. The growing pressure from pregnancy is the reason pregnant women are more likely to experience hemorrhoids. Pregnant women who start to frequently experience hemorrhoids can expect the hemorrhoids to subside once the pregnancy is over.

Constipation is Trusted Source Hemorrhoids Treatment, Symptoms, Causes, Prevention Hemorrhoids (piles) are swollen veins that form inside the rectum or outside the anus. They often go away without medical treatment. my.clevelandclinic.org also a common cause of hemorrhoids. The reason that people who are constipated may start to experience hemorrhoids is that they may be putting extra pressure on themselves when they try to pass a bowel movement. Pushing too hard or spending too much time on the toilet can cause hemorrhoids to flare up. Weight gain can cause hemorrhoids to flare up. Weight gain can put pressure on the pelvis, which can cause issues. Any additional pressure on the rectum can lead to hemorrhoids.

Lifting heavy objects too often can cause hemorrhoids. People who frequently lift heavy objects may be subconsciously straining more muscles than they anticipate. The straining from weightlifting can cause a hemorrhoid outbreak. People who spend a lot of time sitting down throughout the day can also be more prone to developing hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are especially common Trusted Source Hemorrhoids | NIDDK Symptoms of hemorrhoids depend on the type of hemorrhoid. External hemorrhoid symptoms include anal itching. Internal hemorrhoid symptoms include rectal bleeding. Certain toilet habits, constipation, a low-fiber diet, and aging may cause hemorrhoids. www.niddk.nih.gov in people who work in offices and drive for a living. These people are also people who may want to work out by riding a bike because people who must frequently sit for work often feel like they need to work out outside of work.

All these things can cause hemorrhoids to flare up and should be avoided if it is possible. Some people cannot avoid these situations, especially if their line of work is what causes their hemorrhoids. This is okay too! There are many ways to treat hemorrhoids and help them absolve quicker. Continue reading this article to help figure out ways to still ride your bike with hemorrhoids.

How to choose a proper bike seat for hemorrhoids?

Suppose you decide to ride a bike while having hemorrhoids, and you should buy a new hemorrhoid bike seat. Most bike seats can irritate people’s hemorrhoids, but there are seats designed to minimize discomfort and help cyclists ride their bikes without worrying about worsening their flare-ups. There are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing a bike seat to help with hemorrhoids. Comfort is critical when choosing a good bike seat that will minimize the discomfort of hemorrhoids. Wide bike seats that do not make your weight focus on the center of your body work the best. The wider the bike seat, the less irritation you will have to deal with when riding your bike with piles. According to our experience, the most comfortable bike seat for hemorrhoids is the YLG Oversized Comfort Bike Seat. We advise checking the reviews on the best road women’s bikes under $500 or the best bikes for overweight females as these models are designed especially for women’s bodies.

Thin bike seats should be avoided when you have hemorrhoids. It is ideal for taking as much strain away from cyclists as possible if they are experiencing hemorrhoids. It is a good idea to find bike seats that are eligible for a refund when buying online just in case the seat doesn’t work well for you. If buying in-store, try sitting on the eats if you are allowed to see if you think they would be most comfortable for riding your bike. Many bike seats like the Bikeroo Oversized Bike Seat can help reduce the harm to hemorrhoids that can be caused when riding a bike. Comfort is the most important part of preventing your hemorrhoids from worsening. The more comfortable you are, the less likely you are to clench or strain your muscles. You can also check out our analysis of the best suspension seatposts that provide comfort and decrease health risks.

How to make biking safer when you have hemorrhoids?

When you are experiencing a hemorrhoid flare-up, you should consider precautions to avoid worsening your condition.

  • One of the most important things you can do to increase the safety of your bike ride while having hemorrhoids is to have a comfortable seat. Read the above section for help selecting the right bike seat for you. Picking a comfortable bike seat is The best way to avoid adding tension to your affected area.
  • Apply cream regularly to your piles to improve their condition of them. Applying cream both before and after your bike ride can help prevent the piles from worsening from your bike ride. There are many over-the-counter creams available to treat hemorrhoids from biking. Applying the cream regularly can reduce pain and help the flare-up clear quicker than it would without the cream.
  • Stay hydrated during your bike ride. Staying hydrated will keep the elasticity in your skin and reduce the potential irritation of your hemorrhoid flare-up. Keeping your body hydrated is great for healing all sorts of body irritations. Always keep a water bottle on your person when biking with hemorrhoids. Stretch and take short walks before your bike ride.
  • Bike riding is a strenuous activity, so you should at least take time to do stretches before you ride to reduce muscle tension and avoid worsening your hemorrhoid flare-up. Taking a walk before your bike ride will get your blood pumping and circulating before your ride. Getting your circulation going before your bike ride can help reduce tension also.

Taking these precautions will increase the safety of your bike ride. Maintaining the moisture and elasticity of your skin is imperative to making sure your hemorrhoids don’t worsen. It is also key to avoid muscle strain or pressure as much as possible. Putting strain on your muscles will cause your hemorrhoids to worsen.

FAQ

Does cycling or bike riding cause piles or hemorrhoids?

No, it doesn’t. It can only worsen the symptoms when riding without the right seat and in a bumpy area. 

Is it ok to bike with hemorrhoids?

No, it’s not recommended to ride a bike with this problem as it can develop and cause pain and bleeding. However, when not in an active phase, you can do it but with a wide padded seat and not for a long period of time.

Can an exercise bike cause hemorrhoids?

Riding an exercise bike doesn’t cause piles but rather brings out the symptoms of an antecedent case of hemorrhoids. It can also worsen and develop the symptoms if you experience this issue.

Final thoughts

Hemorrhoids are a common medical issue among the general population that can cause discomfort in people’s daily lives. If certain safety measures are not employed, then people can face problems with their hemorrhoids worsening while riding a bike. However, having hemorrhoids does not mean that you cannot ride a bike safely at all. If you take proper care of your hemorrhoids, then you may not have to worry about your hemorrhoids worsening or not going away when you ride a bike. Muscle strain is the main cause of having hemorrhoids flare up and is the main reason that hemorrhoids might worsen. Cycling hemorrhoids can be avoided and dealt with if the right precautions are taken. Get a comfortable bike seat, stay hydrated, and apply the cream regularly to avoid the worsening or developing of cycling memories.

References

1.
Hemorrhoids | Piles | MedlinePlus
Hemorrhoids (piles) are swollen veins that sometimes protrude from the anus.
2.
Hemorrhoids | Student Health and Counseling Services
Overview of Hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids are inflamed veins within swollen tissue of the anus and rectum. Hemorrhoids are very common. Hemorrhoids may become symptomatic as a result of activities or conditions that increase pressure in these veins. This in turn results in distention and engorgement of the veins. Straining with defecation, constipation, frequent diarrhea episodes, prolonged sitting, pregnancy, obesity and low fiber diet all may contribute to hemorrhoids.
3.
Hemorrhoids Treatment, Symptoms, Causes, Prevention
Hemorrhoids (piles) are swollen veins that form inside the rectum or outside the anus. They often go away without medical treatment.
4.
Hemorrhoids | NIDDK
Symptoms of hemorrhoids depend on the type of hemorrhoid. External hemorrhoid symptoms include anal itching. Internal hemorrhoid symptoms include rectal bleeding. Certain toilet habits, constipation, a low-fiber diet, and aging may cause hemorrhoids.

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