From the Research
Association between Testosterone and Hemorrhoids
There is limited direct evidence on the association between testosterone and hemorrhoids. However, some studies provide indirect insights:
- A study on the association between hemorrhoids and erectile dysfunction found that hemorrhoids were present in 24.9% of cases and 14.20% of controls, with an odds ratio of 1.90 for prior hemorrhoids among cases compared to controls 1.
- Another study investigated the relationship between sex steroids, including testosterone, and mortality in US men, but did not find a direct link between testosterone and hemorrhoids 2.
- A study on testosterone therapy in men with Crohn's disease found that normalizing serum testosterone had a positive effect on the clinical course of the disease, but did not specifically address hemorrhoids 3.
- Other studies have examined the risk factors for hemorrhoidal disease, including constipation, low fiber diet, high Body Mass Index, pregnancy, and sedentary lifestyle, but did not investigate the role of testosterone 4, 5.
Key Findings
- Hemorrhoids are associated with erectile dysfunction, which may be related to regional vascular abnormalities and rectal pain 1.
- Testosterone therapy may have a positive effect on inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease, but its relationship to hemorrhoids is unclear 3.
- Lifestyle and risk factors, such as constipation, low fiber diet, and sedentary lifestyle, may contribute to the development of hemorrhoidal disease, but the role of testosterone is not well understood 4, 5.