Haemorrhoid Cream & Treatment in Australia

What Are Haemorrhoids? Internal vs External

Haemorrhoids — also called piles — are swollen blood vessels in and around the anus and lower rectum. Everyone has these cushions of tissue; they only become a problem when they enlarge, become inflamed, or start to bleed. They are extremely common: it is estimated that around half of adults will experience haemorrhoid symptoms at some point, and they are especially common during and after pregnancy.

Internal haemorrhoids sit inside the rectum, above the point where you can feel pain, so they often present as painless bright-red bleeding on the toilet paper or in the bowl. External haemorrhoids form under the skin around the anus and tend to be more uncomfortable — they can cause itching, aching and a tender lump. Larger internal haemorrhoids can also prolapse (bulge outside the anus), which may need to be gently pushed back or reviewed by a doctor. Knowing which type you have matters, because a cream applied to the skin may not reach an internal haemorrhoid, where a suppository is often more useful.

What Causes Haemorrhoids?

Haemorrhoids develop when there is increased pressure on the veins around the anus. By far the most common trigger is constipation and the straining that goes with it — pushing hard to pass a firm stool raises pressure in these vessels. This is why treating constipation is central to both relief and prevention, rather than an afterthought.

• radio_button_uncheckedConstipation and straining to pass hard stools — the leading cause.
• radio_button_uncheckedPregnancy and childbirth, due to increased pressure and hormonal changes that relax blood vessels.
• radio_button_uncheckedProlonged sitting, including long periods on the toilet (for example, reading or scrolling on your phone).
• radio_button_uncheckedA low-fibre diet and not drinking enough fluid, which leads to harder stools.
• radio_button_uncheckedAgeing, as the supporting tissue around the anus naturally weakens over time.
• radio_button_uncheckedPersistent heavy lifting or chronic coughing, which repeatedly raise abdominal pressure.

Over-the-Counter Haemorrhoid Creams and Ointments

Topical creams and ointments are the products most people reach for, and they are widely available in Australian pharmacies and supermarkets. They work by relieving symptoms — numbing pain, calming inflammation, or soothing and protecting the skin — rather than removing the haemorrhoid itself. Because there is a range of active ingredients, it helps to understand what each one does so you can match it to your symptoms or ask your pharmacist for guidance.

Many popular products combine several of these — for example, a local anaesthetic plus a soothing astringent, or a corticosteroid plus an anaesthetic. In Australia, some combination products that contain both a corticosteroid and a local anaesthetic are kept behind the counter as Pharmacist Only medicines, so you may need to ask the pharmacist for them and answer a few questions before purchase. Always read the label and follow the directions for use, and check with the pharmacist if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or buying for someone else.

Suppositories, Wipes and Warm Sitz Baths

For internal haemorrhoids, suppositories (solid medicines inserted into the anus) can deliver the active ingredients where a cream cannot reach. They often contain similar ingredients to the creams — anaesthetics, astringents or corticosteroids — and are used alongside, or instead of, a topical product. Your pharmacist can advise which format suits your situation.

Simple self-care measures can be just as valuable as any product. A warm sitz bath — sitting in a few centimetres of plain warm water for around 10 to 15 minutes, two or three times a day and after bowel motions — can ease the aching and spasm of painful external haemorrhoids. A cold pack held against the area can help reduce swelling. When cleaning, pat gently with damp toilet paper or fragrance-free wipes rather than rubbing with dry paper, which can further irritate the skin.

Treating Constipation: The Foundation of Relief

If you take only one thing from this guide, make it this: creams manage the symptoms, but softening your stools and stopping the straining is what actually addresses the cause. Both Australian and international guidance consistently put dietary and lifestyle change first. Softer, easier-to-pass stools reduce the pressure that creates and aggravates haemorrhoids in the first place.

• radio_button_uncheckedEat more fibre: aim for a good intake of vegetables, fruit, wholegrains and legumes. Australian guidelines suggest around 25 to 30 grams of fibre a day for most adults.
• radio_button_uncheckedDrink plenty of water throughout the day, which works together with fibre to keep stools soft.
• radio_button_uncheckedConsider a fibre supplement or bulk-forming laxative (such as psyllium/ispaghula or sterculia) if diet alone is not enough — ask your pharmacist which suits you.
• radio_button_uncheckedDo not delay going when you feel the urge, and do not sit on the toilet longer than necessary.
• radio_button_uncheckedAvoid straining; if a bowel motion will not come easily, get up and try again later.
• radio_button_uncheckedStay physically active, as regular movement helps keep the bowel regular.

How Long Should You Use OTC Haemorrhoid Products?

Over-the-counter haemorrhoid products are designed for short-term symptom relief, not ongoing daily use. This is especially important for anything containing a corticosteroid (such as hydrocortisone). Prolonged use of a topical steroid on the delicate skin around the anus can thin the skin and cause further irritation, so these products are generally recommended for only about a week at a time unless a doctor advises otherwise.

Local anaesthetic products can also make the surrounding skin more sensitive if overused, and are best limited to a few days. If your symptoms have not improved after about a week of self-care and OTC treatment, or they keep coming back, that is a signal to see your GP or pharmacist rather than continuing to reach for the same tube. A doctor can confirm the diagnosis and discuss in-clinic options such as rubber band ligation or sclerotherapy for haemorrhoids that do not settle.

FAQ

What is the best treatment for haemorrhoids in Australia?

There is no single 'best' treatment, because it depends on your symptoms and the type of haemorrhoid. For most people, the first-line approach is self-care: treat constipation with more fibre and fluids, avoid straining, use warm sitz baths, and apply an over-the-counter cream, ointment or suppository to relieve pain, itching and swelling. Match the product to your symptoms — for example, a local anaesthetic for pain, or a soothing astringent for irritation. If symptoms persist beyond about a week, or you have any bleeding, see your GP or pharmacist for tailored advice.

What shrinks haemorrhoids the fastest?

No product makes haemorrhoids disappear instantly. For quick symptom relief, a cold pack and a warm sitz bath can ease pain and swelling within minutes to hours, and a topical product with a local anaesthetic can numb discomfort for a few hours. Products containing a vasoconstrictor or an astringent may help reduce swelling of the tissue over a few days. However, lasting improvement comes from softening the stools and stopping the straining, which takes the pressure off the vessels. Be wary of any product promising to 'shrink' haemorrhoids overnight.

What will a GP prescribe for haemorrhoids?

A GP will usually start with the same self-care advice and OTC products, and may recommend a fibre supplement or stool softener. For more troublesome symptoms, they might prescribe a stronger combination product containing a corticosteroid and a local anaesthetic, to be used short-term. Like the OTC versions, prescription topical treatments are intended for only a few days, because they can make the surrounding skin more sensitive. If simple measures fail, a GP may refer you to a specialist for an in-clinic procedure.

Is haemorrhoid surgery covered by Medicare in Australia?

Haemorrhoid procedures and surgery can be covered by Medicare when performed as a public patient in a public hospital, though waiting lists can be long for non-urgent cases. As a private patient, private health insurance may pay a benefit towards the cost, but there can be out-of-pocket gaps. Costs and coverage vary, so check directly with Medicare, your specialist, and your health fund before proceeding. Most haemorrhoids never reach the point of needing surgery — the majority settle with conservative treatment.

Is there anything better than the well-known pharmacy brands?

The familiar Australian pharmacy brands generally contain the same core ingredient types — local anaesthetics, corticosteroids and astringents — so no single brand is automatically 'better' than the rest. What matters is choosing the ingredient that matches your symptoms, and using it correctly and short-term. Some people prefer a plain astringent or protectant for mild irritation, while others need a combination product from behind the pharmacy counter. Rather than chasing a brand name, tell your pharmacist your symptoms and let them help you match a product to them.

Can I use haemorrhoid cream during pregnancy?

Haemorrhoids are very common in pregnancy and after birth, but not every ingredient is suitable, so pregnancy and breastfeeding are situations where you should always check with your pharmacist or GP before using any product. Non-medicated measures — a high-fibre diet, plenty of fluids, warm sitz baths and avoiding straining — are safe first steps. A health professional can advise which, if any, topical products are appropriate for you and how to use them.