The Energetics of Hemorrhoids: A Holistic Pelvic Health Perspective

Hemorrhoids may be one of the most common pelvic health issues - and also one of the least talked about. But behind the burning, itching, bulging, and bleeding is a deeper invitation: to release, to receive support, and to restore balance. Let's first talk about the basics, and then dive into what I've been tracking in the energetics of those who are experiencing them.

*Editor's note: This blog was specifically written to address two camps: those who have experience with hemorrhoids, and those who don't but are curious about it. I aimed to speak to both - so what you'll find below is RICH with information and insight. I'm playing with writing in a new way here, tone and format included, with the intention of offering you my sight, guidance, and ultimately, loving acceptance for yourself and where you're at.

What Are Hemorrhoids, Really?

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum or anus, sometimes internal (inside the rectal canal) and sometimes external (visible around the anus). They kind of can look like blueberries (hence the cover image for this blog) . They’re incredibly common - affecting nearly 3 out of 4 adults at some point in life. (64% of my polled audience - men and women - shared that they've either had or are currently experiencing hemorrhoids!)

Who Gets Them?

Unfortunately, anyone with an anus is prone. But more specifically, these are the populations I've seen who experience them the most. These populations are pregnant and postpartum mamas (hello, increased intra-abdominal pressure!), people with chronic constipation or straining during bowel movements, anyone who sits for long periods (desk workers, truck drivers, etc.), athletes who lift heavy weights regularly, and people with poor gut health or fiber-deficient diets.

Check out the image below for the difference in location between internal and external hemorrhoids.

What Causes or Worsens Hemorrhoids?

While hemorrhoids are a physical condition, they rarely show up in isolation. Here are some common triggers that I really want you to be honest with yourself about (if you are someone with a history of hemorrhoids or currently have one). These could easily be the PHYSICAL habits you stop, tweak, or keep in mind that could make all the difference:

Bathroom Habits

𖦹 Straining or holding your breath (Valsalva maneuver for my breath-obsessed babes) during bowel movements

𖦹 Sitting on the toilet too long scrolling, in a poor position

𖦹 Going too often or ignoring the urge to go

Diet + Digestive Health

𖦹 Low-fiber diets

𖦹 Not enough hydration

𖦹 Overuse of laxatives, caffeine or stool softeners

Pregnancy, Birth, and Pelvic Pressure

𖦹 Increased weight from the uterus and baby growth in pregnancy (We obviously don't want to inappropriately stop the growth of a baby in utero, but we can be mindful of quite a few things and use external support for the growth of the belly)

𖦹 Forced pushing during labor, in any position (but namely, being on the back)

𖦹 Postpartum healing, whether it was a long or short laboring period (especially with constipation or lack of movement)

What About Anal Sex?

While gentle, consensual anal sex with proper lubrication and preparation is generally not a direct cause, it can exacerbate symptoms if there is already inflammation or if the tissue is fragile. Personally, I would likely pause anal play until I felt healed.

The Energetics of Hemorrhoids

Now here’s where it gets juicy. This is the real reason I wanted to write this post. After talking to a few clients last week about this exact topic, the title clearly wanted to be shared as it dropped into my awareness upon waking the next day.

I've JUST become more vocal about HOW I'm noticing these things come through. And truth is I am becoming more and more keen to not just physical tissue, movement, and holding patterns, but energetic patterns and pathways. This past week was another berry in the bowl to help me fully name the actual energetic patterns I'm seeing in my practice and in my community.

Hemorrhoids can be the body’s somatic expression of holding too much in - physically and energetically. From a holistic pelvic lens, they often represent:

Too Much Tension + Not Enough Release

𖦹 Trying to “push through” life with a certain level of force

𖦹 Difficulty letting go (of emotions, expectations, poop...)

𖦹 A pelvic floor that’s gripping or guarding (lack of safety, constant cues in workouts for contraction or lift of the pelvic floor - big pet peeve of mine)

Control, Shame, and Safety Patterns

𖦹 Fear of surrendering control or softening

𖦹 Internalized pressure to perform or caretake

𖦹 Holding emotional tension in the pelvis

Overflow: The Support System Is Maxed Out

Think of a hemorrhoid as the body’s way of saying: “I’m overwhelmed. I need help. Something has to give.”

Your pelvic floor may be mimicking the support you wish you had in life - but instead of rising to the occasion, it's swelling under pressure. It's time to meet yourself honestly and with a LOT of acceptance and compassion.

Journal Prompt – “Where am I gripping too hard in life? Where could I allow more support or release?”

What Helps? Natural + Holistic Relief

Let’s go beyond creams, pads, and surgical options. A holistic approach includes physical, emotional, and energetic care.

Reset Your Bathroom Habits

Don’t push, rush or force your poop or pee. Instead, exhale gently like you're blowing out birthday candles or try the “moo” technique to open the pelvic floor. Use a squatty potty (or use a trash can, wear platform shoes, extra toilet paper rolls) to align your rectum and hep lengthen your pelvic floor properly. You just want your knees higher than your hips. Try creating a relaxed ritual (dim light, no phone).

Nourish Your Gut

This one is a big one: eat 25–35g of fiber/day (chia seeds, leafy greens, oats, flax) to keep your stool softer. Try drinking warm water first thing in the morning or through the day. Make sure you're hydrating enough - especially if you find yourself sweating after a workout. Add magnesium citrate or aloe vera juice as needed (be mindful of your magnesium intake though! I've had clients overdo it and come out with the opposite of constipation: Diarrhea. Also aggravating to your anus.).

Release Physical Tension

You can try manually working the tension out with gentle internal massage at the 4–8 o’clock positions from the vaginal canal. If you're not ready for that, an external perineal softening with a warm compress or body-safe oil can help. I'd personally pair it with breathwork that encourages downward expansion and release.

Energetic + Emotional Release

Yoni steaming (not if pregnant) or sitz baths with epsom salts to soften and reconnect (be mindful of heat and other contraindications) can be energetically supportive, being mindful of posture and prolonged sitting. But a bigger thing: Talk about it. Share your experience with a trusted friend or therapist. (Name "He[morrhoid] who shall not be named" and take your power back.) And lastly, ask for support - delegate tasks, rest, receive. You deserve some TLC.

When to Seek Extra Care

While most hemorrhoids are benign, it’s important to rule out more serious issues if you notice:

𖦹 Bleeding with no known cause

𖦹 Hemorrhoids that don’t respond to home treatment

𖦹 Unusual weight loss, changes in bowel habits, or pain

In some cases, these symptoms may signal anal cancer or another medical issue. Always talk to a trusted pelvic PT and a physician if in doubt. Thank you to one of my past clients/followers for shedding light on this particular topic:

Your Next Steps: Holistic Support from the Inside Out

You should definitely start with addressing anything that resonates with you that I mentioned above. You don’t have to live in shame, silence, or discomfort. But if you're needing more support, here’s how you can begin deeper healing:

🐚 Constipation Class: How to Let Shit Go: A gentle, empowering guide to restoring your elimination rhythm and releasing what you’re holding - literally and energetically.

"I had to come on and tell you something because I was feeling really gassy and bloated and I did the belly massage that you told us about and I just pooped again! Like 3 minutes later!! I never poop at night!" -D.B.

🐚 FEEL Guided Mapping Session: Explore your pelvic landscape with compassion, especially the areas around 4–8 o’clock - where tension and overflow often hide.

"There were many gently beautiful moments of just being with myself that made me tear up again. And appreciate your gentle sweet guidance through it all. This practice is TRULY a gift and WOW just WOW. There are really no words to describe it and it just must be experienced first hand." -Anonymous

🐚 Book a 1:1 Holistic Pelvic Therapy Session: Get personalized care for your body, your story, and your healing.

"With Brittney, you immediately feel at ease. She is extremely knowledgeable of the female anatomy, and all that subtlety entails. She is able to move effortlessly to the root cause, address it, and offer applicable action plans. Worth every second." -Kirsten M.

Final Thought

Your hemorrhoids are not just a nuisance. They are a message. One that says: “It’s time to soften. It’s safe to let go. You are not alone in this.” Let me know in the comments below or tag me on Instagram @b.ellers if something really landed or clicked for you. Let's keep addressing the "taboo" together.

xx Dr. Brittney

🐚 In a naut shell... What you'll find in this post:

𖦹 What causes hemorrhoids

𖦹 Holistic hemorrhoid relief

𖦹 Pelvic floor tension and hemorrhoids

𖦹 Energetic meaning of hemorrhoids

𖦹 Natural hemorrhoid treatment pregnancy

𖦹 Constipation and pelvic floor

𖦹 How to let go emotionally and physically