GLP-1 Medications and Hemorrhoids: What You Need to Know

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels that develop in and around the anus. Some causes of hemorrhoids, also known as piles, include constipation, sitting too long on the toilet, and straining to pass a bowel movement. Recently, there has been a rise in the use of GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy for individuals who are trying to lose weight. And, because they can impact your diet and digestion, there are important factors to consider when it comes to GLP-1 medications and hemorrhoids.

How Ozempic Impacts Digestion

Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications can reduce your appetite, meaning you’re less likely to take in large amounts of fiber-rich fluids. This medication class can also change the fluid balance in your body, meaning stool may be harder to pass. Finally, the medications can directly impact your digestion, slowing down the process. In combination, these factors can increase your risk for constipation—and, in turn, for hemorrhoids.

GLP-1 Medications and Hemorrhoids

While this class of medication can increase your hemorrhoid risk, taking a drug like Ozempic does not have to leave you with piles. To help prevent hemorrhoid formation, you can focus on the following:

• Increase fiber in your diet, giving particular focus to these 5 foods to prevent hemorrhoids
• Drink more water, since hydration helps with digestion while keeping stools soft to prevent straining
• Move more, as staying physically active can also support healthy digestion
• Consider a stool softener if lifestyle measures alone are not preventing constipation

When to See a Doctor

As we’ve learned more about this class of medication, phrases like ‘Ozempic face’ have become part of our vocabulary. Sometimes, the drugs work so quickly that your body can’t quite keep up with all the changes, and side effects develop. So, if changes in your digestion due to GLP-1 medications have led to internal hemorrhoids, you don’t have to with symptoms such as pain, itching or bleeding. Instead, you can reach out to the team at the Georgia Hemorrhoid Institute to request a consultation. When you come into the office, we can discuss your eligibility for HAE (hemorrhoid artery embolization), a minimally-invasive treatment option for Grade 2-3 internal hemorrhoids.