I hear you—that "live with it or cut it" ultimatum feels a bit like being told to choose between a nuisance and a nightmare. Dealing with persistent discomfort while managing a chronic condition like HIV can be extra draining, especially since your body’s immune system is already working overtime.
​While I'm not a doctor, there is a middle ground between "do nothing" and "surgery." Here are some common medical and at-home alternatives you might want to discuss with your provider.
​1. Non-Surgical Clinical Procedures
​If your doctor only mentioned "cutting it off" (Hemorrhoidectomy), they might be jumping to the most invasive option. Ask about these office-based treatments that are usually less painful:
1. Non-Surgical Clinical Procedures
If your doctor only mentioned "cutting it off" (Hemorrhoidectomy), they might be jumping to the most invasive option. Ask about these office-based treatments that are usually less painful:
Rubber Band Ligation: The most common treatment. A small band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid, cutting off blood flow so it withers and falls off in a few days.
Sclerotherapy: A chemical solution is injected into the hemorrhoid tissue to shrink it.
Infrared Coagulation: Uses heat from infrared light to cause scar tissue, which cuts off the blood supply

2. Strategic Lifestyle Shifts
​Persistence often comes down to repeated pressure. To stop the cycle, try these:
​The "Five-Minute Rule": Avoid sitting on the toilet for long periods (put the phone away!). Prolonged sitting increases pressure on the rectal veins.
​Squatting Position: Using a small stool to elevate your knees while on the toilet aligns the rectum for a smoother exit, reducing the need to strain.
​Fiber Titration: It’s not just "eating veggies." Aim for 25–35 grams of fiber daily, but increase it slowly and drink plenty of water, or you’ll end up with gas and more pressure.

It depends..have your PCP look at it for treatment

YES! The surgeon banded one of my fishers about 15 years ago. About a week later it came
If with little discomfort. However like an old penny…..it’s back but now IMust use an sanitary feminine napkin because the hemorrhoid now stays out unless I physically push it back in, but then it’ll pop out again moisture lift the soft tissue whatever that is wet will soak onto my undershirts and right through my jeans and I’ll be walking around and not know that I got a wet spot right there on the back of my jeans so yes, I buy sanitary napkins that stick to the inside of my undershirts right up my crack

Find a doctor that will put a very small rubber band around it and about a week later it will fall off. You will feel a little discomfort about day 2 or 3 nothing that a butt mush or a warm bath soak won’t help, about day 6 or 7 it will fall off. A surgeon told me a hemorrhoidectomy operation is the worst to recover from. Because actually you go back to being a virgin and everything‘s gotta start going through that tight hole again I’ll live with my fisher. I’m 63. You don’t bother me, but I always carry a feminine pad with wings because it gets soaked into my shorts and sometimes through my jeans.