Jogging and Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are a common, yet sometimes painful condition of the anus and rectal areas that can be caused when blood flow to the area is restricted and causes pooling. This may happen due to irregular bowel movements or pregnancy, for example. Treatment of hemorrhoids usually requires a mix of topical medications, improved diet and mild aerobic exercise 1. Doctors recommend jogging to help relieve mild hemorrhoids 1.

How Jogging Can Help Hemorrhoids

Jogging can help to alleviate hemorrhoids by increasing intestinal muscle contractions 1. This can promote more regular bowel movements and easier stool passage. Jogging can also help to reduce the hemorrhoids by promoting loss of excess weight that could be placing additional pressure on the affected areas.

How To Jog With Hemorrhoids

While jogging with hemorrhoids can be very beneficial, it can also exacerbate the issue if precautionary measures aren't taken. For your underwear, a synthetic fabric that helps to wick away moisture can prevent bacterial growth and possible infections. Also, friction caused while jogging can irritate the hemorrhoids, causing swelling and sometimes bleeding 1. To prevent this, apply petroleum jelly directly to the affected area. This will reduce the friction while jogging, allowing you to jog pain free.

Warning

For some individuals with severe cases of hemorrhoids, jogging may not be a suitable choice of exercise as it can cause very painful swelling, bleeding and even prolapse if there is too much pressure on the area. Those individuals with severe cases of hemorrhoids should consult a doctor before starting an exercise regimen.