Embolization procedures
performed
Interventional radiologists
Typical in-office procedure
Long-lasting relief
shown in clinical studies
Swelling without prolapse. Often manageable with fiber, hydration, and lifestyle changes.
Ideal HAE candidate
Prolapses during bowel movements & retracts on its own.
Ideal HAE candidate
Prolapses and requires manual adjustment to return inside.
Permanently prolapsed and often painful. Usually requires surgery rather than HAE.
Straining to pass hard stools puts direct pressure on the rectal veins.
Too little fiber means harder stools and more straining.
Long stretches of sitting — especially on the toilet — raise pelvic vein pressure.
A growing uterus strains pelvic veins; hormonal shifts relax vessel walls.
Extra weight presses on rectal veins; inactivity promotes constipation.
Hemorrhoids run in families, and rectal tissues weaken with age.
Many risk factors can be managed with healthy habits — but once hemorrhoids are chronic and symptomatic, lifestyle changes alone are rarely enough.
Prompt care relieves symptoms sooner — and ensures bleeding isn't caused by something more serious.
Through a tiny pinhole at the wrist or groin, a thin microcatheter is guided to the superior rectal artery using live X-ray imaging — you stay comfortable under light sedation.
Tiny particles and coils are injected to obstruct the blood flow feeding the hemorrhoids, reducing the excess supply that keeps them swollen.
Over the following weeks the hemorrhoids shrink from the inside out — bleeding, swelling, and discomfort steadily resolve.
No hospital stay. You go home within a few hours of the procedure.
A single pinhole instead of an incision and nothing is placed in the rectum.
No surgical wound means none of the painful recovery of hemorrhoidectomy.
Medically necessary HAE is covered by most major plans.
| Treatment | Invasiveness | Recovery Time | Anesthesia | Pain after treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hemorrhoid artery embolization (HAE) WHAT WE DO | Minimally invasive (pinhole) | A few days | Light sedation | Minimal - no rectal wound |
| Rubber band ligation | Minimally invasive (rectal) | A few days per session | Usually none | Mild–moderate; often repeat sessions |
| Hemorrhoidectomy (surgical removal) | Surgical | 2-4 weeks | General/spinal | Significant during recovery |
| Stapled hemorrhoidopexy | Surgical | 1-2 weeks | General | Moderate |
| Creams & home care | Non-invasive | Ongoing use | None | Persists (soothes only) |
Board-certified interventional radiologists specializing in hemorrhoid artery embolization deliver expert, discreet care.
Advanced imaging maps the arteries feeding the hemorrhoids and guides every step for safer, more effective results.
Clinics throughout Houston and Dallas–Fort Worth make advanced hemorrhoid care easy to access close to home.
1331 West Grand Parkway
N, Suite 210
Katy, TX 77493
3920 W Wheatland Rd
Suite 108
Dallas, TX 75237
5425 W. Spring Creek Parkway
Suite 100
Plano, TX 75024
6620 Bryant Irvin Road
Suite 100
Fort Worth, TX 76132
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum or around the anus. They are extremely common and can cause symptoms such as rectal bleeding, itching, swelling, discomfort, or tissue that protrudes during bowel movements. While many cases improve with lifestyle changes, persistent hemorrhoids may require medical treatment.
Hemorrhoids develop when increased pressure is placed on the veins in the rectum and anus. Common causes include chronic constipation, straining during bowel movements, prolonged sitting, pregnancy, obesity, heavy lifting, and aging.
Symptoms vary depending on the type and severity of the hemorrhoid but may include:
You should schedule an evaluation if your hemorrhoid symptoms persist despite home treatment, you experience recurrent rectal bleeding, severe pain, or hemorrhoids that continue to prolapse. Because rectal bleeding can have other causes, it's important to receive an accurate diagnosis.
Hemorrhoid artery embolization is a minimally invasive procedure performed by an interventional radiologist. Using image guidance, a tiny catheter is inserted through a small puncture in the wrist or groin to block the arteries supplying blood to the hemorrhoids. Reducing blood flow causes the hemorrhoids to shrink over time without surgically removing tissue.
HAE is primarily designed to treat symptomatic internal hemorrhoids by reducing their blood supply. If you also have external hemorrhoids, your physician will determine whether embolization alone is appropriate or if another treatment should be considered.
Many patients experience significant symptom improvement after HAE, but recurrence is possible, especially if contributing factors such as chronic constipation or excessive straining continue. Maintaining a high-fiber diet, staying hydrated, and practicing healthy bowel habits can help reduce the risk of recurrence.
HAE is covered by most major insurance plans when medically necessary. Our team verifies your benefits in advance so you know what to expect before treatment.
Scheduling
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