Understanding the treatment
Embolization reduces arterial inflow to haemorrhoidal tissue using a catheter. Its main treatment target is bleeding. It does not physically remove prolapsing tissue and should not be described as a complete substitute for every haemorrhoid operation. Sources and further reading
Is it appropriate for me?
What the assessment considers
Rectal bleeding needs an assessment to establish its cause. Examination, previous treatment records and any indicated bowel investigations help determine whether haemorrhoids are responsible and which treatment is suitable.
When another approach may be better
Do not assume that rectal bleeding is caused by haemorrhoids. Bowel habit measures, medicines, banding and surgery may be appropriate. Prolapse, anaemia, blood-thinning medication and other illnesses influence the decision.
Share your symptoms and existing reports so the next step can be considered in context. Sending records does not commit you to a procedure.
Send imaging for reviewOptions and expected benefit
Bleeding can persist or recur and further treatment may be required. Evidence and possible harms need explicit discussion. Relief of bleeding does not guarantee improvement in prolapse or other bowel symptoms.
Options to discuss
- Bowel measures and medicines
- Banding or other office procedures
- Embolization or surgery in selected cases
Fibre, stool-softening measures and medicines, rubber-band ligation or other office procedures, and surgery when indicated. Rectal bleeding needs assessment for other causes.
The relevant comparison depends on your diagnosis and goals. A smaller access puncture does not, by itself, establish which treatment is best for you.
Evidence and uncertainty
NICE considers the evidence on safety and benefit insufficient and recommends this procedure only in a research setting in the UK. Any proposal here needs an individual discussion of this uncertainty.
Read the guidance and its contextPreparing for assessment
Send existing records if you have them. You do not need to arrange a new scan simply to start an enquiry; the team can explain what further assessment may be needed.
- Colonoscopy or proctoscopy report
- Recent haemoglobin and ferritin
- Record of previous banding or surgery
- Current medication, including anticoagulants
Include previous procedures, relevant medical conditions, allergies and your current medicines. Tell the team about blood-thinning medicines and any possibility of pregnancy. Do not stop medication or change eating and drinking instructions based on a website: obtain your individual preparation plan.
How the procedure works
Plan the procedure
The team reviews the diagnosis, imaging and treatment goals, explains alternatives and agrees the proposed technique with you.
Image-guided access
Imaging guides a catheter or needle to the selected treatment area. Local anaesthesia and any additional pain relief or sedation are discussed beforehand.
Treat the selected target
Catheter reduces selected arterial inflow. The technique and materials depend on the treatment plan and imaging findings.
Observation and discharge planning
The team monitors recovery and decides when discharge is appropriate. You receive individual instructions for pain relief, activity and follow-up.
Before consent, discuss the proposed technique, pain relief, material or device choices, possible complications and what happens if the planned procedure cannot be completed.
Recovery and follow-up
Follow-up reviews bleeding, symptoms and, when relevant, anaemia. Continue the bowel-management plan agreed with your team. Persistent or recurrent bleeding should be reassessed rather than automatically attributed to treated haemorrhoids.
Before discharge, ask for written instructions, a contact route and a follow-up plan. Return to work, exercise and travel should be agreed for your circumstances. Patients travelling to İzmir should plan enough time for assessment and recovery before booking fixed return arrangements.
Planning assessment and travel from abroadRisks and when to seek help
Bleeding or bruising at the catheter site may occur. Rectal ulceration or reduced blood supply to the bowel are important potential harms; bleeding may persist and another treatment may be needed.
Ask the treating team to explain which symptoms are expected and which need urgent assessment after your particular procedure. Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, heavy bleeding, chest pain or difficulty breathing require urgent medical help. Do not wait for a website review or a WhatsApp reply in an emergency.
Your consent discussion and discharge instructions take precedence over this general information.
Approach to treatment decisions
Symptoms, imaging, alternatives and your priorities all matter. An assessment may lead to observation, further tests, another specialist opinion or a discussion of treatment.
How I decide whether a procedure is appropriate
Symptoms, imaging, the evidence and your priorities all inform the recommendation. My decision framework explains how I consider these together, including when observation or another treatment may be more appropriate.
See my approach to treatment decisionsQuestions patients ask
How is suitability assessed?
Rectal bleeding needs an assessment to establish its cause. Examination, previous treatment records and any indicated bowel investigations help determine whether haemorrhoids are responsible and which treatment is suitable.
When might a procedure be unnecessary?
Do not assume that rectal bleeding is caused by haemorrhoids. Bowel habit measures, medicines, banding and surgery may be appropriate. Prolapse, anaemia, blood-thinning medication and other illnesses influence the decision.
What benefit can I realistically expect?
Bleeding can persist or recur and further treatment may be required. Evidence and possible harms need explicit discussion. Relief of bleeding does not guarantee improvement in prolapse or other bowel symptoms.
What does follow-up involve?
Follow-up reviews bleeding, symptoms and, when relevant, anaemia. Continue the bowel-management plan agreed with your team. Persistent or recurrent bleeding should be reassessed rather than automatically attributed to treated haemorrhoids.
What records should I send?
Colonoscopy or proctoscopy report; Recent haemoglobin and ferritin; Record of previous banding or surgery; Current medication, including anticoagulants. Send existing records first; further tests can be discussed after review.
Will reducing bleeding also remove prolapse?
Not necessarily. Embolization targets arterial inflow and bleeding; it does not remove prolapsing tissue. Symptoms related to prolapse may need a different approach.
Can rectal bleeding be assumed to come from haemorrhoids?
No. An examination and any indicated bowel investigations are needed to establish the cause. Recurrent bleeding also deserves reassessment, even after a previous haemorrhoid treatment.
Does sending records commit me to treatment?
No. Reviewing records may lead to further assessment, observation or another specialist opinion. Any procedure requires a separate discussion and informed consent.
Expertise and sources
Responsible physician: Mehmet Hakan Pıçak, MD, interventional radiologist in İzmir, Türkiye.
The responsible physician identifies the practice specialist. It does not, by itself, certify medical review of this text. A medical-review date is shown only when a documented review matches this content version.
- NICE HTG485: Superior rectal artery embolisation for haemorrhoids
- NICE: additional clinical information
Sources provide background; an overseas guideline is not a statement of local regulation. This page is general information and cannot determine your diagnosis or suitability.
Understanding the cost
Request a written estimate after your records have been assessed. Ask what is included for the procedure, materials, hospital care and follow-up, and which additional tests or treatments would be separate.
Contact the practice about an estimate