No. Hemorrhoids are not a gender-specific condition. About half of our anorectal patients are men. The practice is a pelvic health practice, which can sound like it skews one direction — it does not. Men are seen at every location, every week.

Will a man see a male physician?

Dr. Johnson performs every evaluation and every procedure. She is the only physician in the practice. Many men tell us afterward that the clinical directness of the conversation made the visit easier than they expected.

For men

Hemorrhoid treatment for men: fast, private, in-office.

Name: Hemorrhoid Treatment for Men: Fast, Private, In-Office
Creator: Lisa L. Johnson, M.D.

In-office. No sedation. No bowel prep. Drive yourself home. Covered by insurance. We see men every week.

Request a Consultation Become a Patient (708) 499-9800

The short answers

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Men are treated here
About half our anorectal patients are men.

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No prep required
No bowel prep, no enema, no diet change.

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Drive yourself
No sedation means no driving restriction.

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Covered by insurance
Major medical plans cover the procedure.

Why men wait — and why they shouldn't

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common anorectal conditions, affecting men at the same rate as women. Men delay treatment more often, for a few reasons: the practice is named "pelvic health," and some assume that means gynecology only. The exam involves a proctoscope, which sounds worse than it is. And there's the straightforward fact that most men would rather wait it out.

The waiting usually makes it worse. Hemorrhoids that could have been banded in two visits become Grade III or Grade IV problems that are harder to treat without surgery. The in-office procedure takes about fifteen minutes, requires no preparation, and allows same-day return to normal activity. The discomfort from the band is typically mild and resolves within two to three days.

The single most common thing we hear from men after their first visit is that it was easier than they expected.

What to expect

Your visit, step by step.

Step 1

The consultation

Dr. Johnson reviews your history and symptoms. You describe what you've been experiencing — duration, severity, bleeding if any — in a straightforward clinical conversation. No judgment. No hurry.

Step 2

The examination

A brief anoscopy or proctoscopy to visualize the hemorrhoids directly. The scope is narrow, requires no sedation, and takes two to three minutes. Most men describe it as mildly uncomfortable, not painful.

Step 3

The diagnosis and plan

You leave knowing the grade, the number of hemorrhoids, and the expected number of banding sessions. If a colonoscopy is overdue, Dr. Johnson will recommend one. You make an informed decision before anything is scheduled.

Step 4

The procedure (if you proceed)

Each banding session treats one hemorrhoid at a time. A small rubber band is placed at the base of the internal hemorrhoid during the same scope. The band cuts off circulation; the hemorrhoid detaches and passes within about a week. The procedure itself takes under fifteen minutes.

Step 5

After the visit

No driving restriction. No activity restriction. Mild pressure or fullness is common for the first day or two. Over-the-counter pain relief is usually sufficient. Dr. Johnson provides specific aftercare guidance before you leave.

Step 6

Subsequent sessions

Most patients complete treatment in two to four visits, spaced 3–4 weeks apart to allow healing between sessions. You will know the full plan before the first band is placed.

Banding vs. surgery

The comparison men actually want to see.

In-office rubber band ligation

✓No sedation or anesthesia
✓No operating room
✓No bowel prep or diet restrictions
✓Drive yourself to and from
✓Same-day return to work
✓Covered by major insurance
✓Treats one hemorrhoid per session
—Multiple visits (typically 2–4)

Surgical hemorrhoidectomy

✗General anesthesia required
✗Operating room required
✗Bowel prep required
✗Driver required
✗Recovery of 2–4 weeks
✓Covered by major insurance
✓Treats all hemorrhoids in one session
✓Appropriate for severe Grade IV cases

Surgery is appropriate in a minority of cases. Dr. Johnson will tell you which category you fall into before any treatment is scheduled. See the full comparison article.

If you have rectal bleeding

Rectal bleeding is usually caused by hemorrhoids — but it is also the most important early warning sign of colorectal cancer, and it should always be evaluated. Most bleeding is benign. Some is not. We will tell you which category you are in, and if a screening colonoscopy is overdue, we will help coordinate it.

Bright-red bleeding, pain with bowel movements, a lump, or symptoms that have changed or worsened: call us. Same-day triage is available. (708) 499-9800

Questions men ask most often.

Is PHII women-only?

No. About half of our anorectal patients are men. The practice is called a pelvic health practice because urogynecology is a core specialty, but anorectal care treats men and women equally. Men are seen at every location, every week. You will not be the only man in the waiting room.