This article was medically authored by Dr. Kevin Lie and last reviewed for accuracy on 07/10/2026.

When you have internal hemorrhoids, the symptoms can disrupt your daily life. If you’re already dealing with itching, bleeding and discomfort, the last thing you want to do is worsen the existing problems. So, what activities irritate hemorrhoids? And what are safe alternatives to try while you research treatment options? Here’s what you need to know!

Key Takeaways

• When activities irritate hemorrhoids and keep you from enjoying daily life, minimally invasive Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization (HAE) can provide lasting relief
• Internal hemorrhoids cause symptoms such as itching and bleeding
• Activities that irritate hemorrhoids are ones that put pressure on your lower body, including prolonged sitting, heavy lifting, spinning and cycling

What Activities Irritate Hemorrhoids?

Internal hemorrhoids are classified from grade 1-4, depending on the degree of protrusion from the rectum. Depending on the degree of severity, hemorrhoid symptoms range from mild and manageable with lifestyle measures to severe, treatable only with medical interventions. Yet even mild, grade 1 hemorrhoids could become irritated and interfere with your daily life. They could even progress from some of the following activities that irritate hemorrhoids:

• Sitting for too long, especially on the toilet
  
• Straining to pass a bowel movement
  
• Engaging in workouts that put pressure on your rectal area, including weighted squats and heavy weight lifting
  
• Sports that require long periods of sitting, including spinning, cycling or even rowing
  
• Extended periods of standing, especially for individuals living with obesity
  
• Household chores that involve lots of bending can also irritate hemorrhoids

What Not to Do When Having Hemorrhoids

If you want to avoid activities that irritate hemorrhoids, you should reduce the amount of time you spend on the toilet. Avoid straining to pass a bowel movement, and wipe gently afterward. Remaining sedentary for long periods of time, whether you’re sitting or standing, is also a problem, as it can take a toll on your digestive health, increasing your risk for constipation—and making hemorrhoids worse!

When you have hemorrhoids, moderate exercise can help manage some of your symptoms, but strenuous workouts could lead to irritation. (Below you can review the best and worst exercises for hemorrhoids.)

You should also steer clear of constipating foods and avoid dehydration, following a diet to help hemorrhoids instead.  Finally, when you do pass a bowel movement, avoid excessive straining and wiping with rough, irritating toilet paper as both activities can irritate hemorrhoids. In some cases, you may prefer to use a bidet, as this can remove potential irritants.

 Best and Worst Exercises for Hemorrhoids

When you have internal hemorrhoids, these workouts could worsen your symptoms:

• Lifting heavy weights
• Spinning classes or bike rides
• Deep squats
• Sit-ups
• Horseback riding 
• Rowing

Still, in order to help improve digestion and blood flow, and reduce your risk for constipation, you should get regular exercise. Try to work exercise into your daily routine, choosing low-impact options such as the following activities:

•  Walking
•  Yoga
• Swimming
•  Planks
• Body weight exercises

When to See a Doctor

While avoiding certain activities may prevent irritation, if your internal hemorrhoids have progressed past grade 1, you may require medical intervention in order to find lasting relief. Here at Georgia Endovascular, we treat grade 2-3 internal hemorrhoids with hemorrhoid artery embolization (HAE), a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks these swollen vessels by blocking their blood flow. In the weeks that follow your procedure, your hemorrhoids shrink, relieving symptoms without the risk of side effects that come from hemorrhoid surgery, such as loss of fecal continence. You can learn more about the HAE procedure and explore your candidacy for treatment by requesting a consultation at one of our three locations in the greater Atlanta area.