Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization (HAE) Treatment in Denver
Hemorrhoids can make everyday life uncomfortable—bleeding, itching, pressure, or pain can affect how you sit, move, and go about your day. At ECCO Medical in Denver, we offer Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization (HAE), a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment that relieves symptoms without cutting, removing tissue, or the downtime of traditional hemorrhoid surgery.
What Are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are swollen vascular cushions in the lower rectum and anus. When they become enlarged or irritated, they can cause symptoms such as bleeding, pressure, itching, discomfort, or prolapse. They’re one of the most common digestive health complaints in the U.S., and while they can affect anyone, prevalence increases with age. Internal hemorrhoids—the type most often treated with HAE—are commonly classified as grades I through IV based largely on the degree of prolapse. When symptoms persist, hemorrhoids can lead to recurrent bleeding, discomfort, and disruption to daily life.
How HAE Compares With Traditional Hemorrhoid Surgery
HAE offers an option for treating certain symptomatic internal hemorrhoids without surgical excision or incisions in sensitive anal tissue. For appropriately selected patients, that can mean less post-procedure discomfort and a shorter recovery than traditional hemorrhoidectomy.
With HAE:
- There is no cutting or tissue removal.
The procedure works by reducing blood flow to the arteries supplying the hemorrhoids rather than surgically removing hemorrhoidal tissue. - Treatment is performed on an outpatient basis.
Patients typically go home the same day without a hospital stay. - Recovery is generally quicker.
Many patients are able to return to normal activities within a short period after treatment. - Discomfort is typically less than with surgical hemorrhoidectomy.
Because there are no incisions in anal or rectal tissue, HAE avoids the surgical wound associated with hemorrhoid removal. - The procedure is image-guided and targeted.
An interventional radiologist uses a small catheter to reach and treat the arteries contributing to the hemorrhoids.
HAE is not the right treatment for every type of hemorrhoid, but it can provide a minimally invasive alternative for patients who want to avoid traditional surgery and are appropriate candidates for embolization.
What You Need to Know About HAE
What is HAE
HAE reduces blood flow to the arteries supplying symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. Over time, the treated hemorrhoidal tissue can shrink, helping reduce symptoms such as recurrent bleeding. Unlike surgery, it requires no incision in the anal or rectal tissue and doesn’t remove any tissue.
How the Procedure Works
HAE reduces blood flow to the arteries supplying symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. Over time, the treated hemorrhoidal tissue can shrink, helping reduce symptoms such as recurrent bleeding. Unlike surgery, it requires no incision in the anal or rectal tissue and doesn’t remove any tissue.
Backed by Clinical Research
Research on hemorrhoid artery embolization continues to show promising results for patients with symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. A 2026 systematic review evaluated 15 studies involving 426 patients treated with rectal artery embolization. Across the studies, patients experienced improvements in hemorrhoid symptoms, bleeding, and quality of life, while serious complications were uncommon.
The researchers concluded that hemorrhoid artery embolization is a promising minimally invasive treatment for internal hemorrhoids with a favorable safety profile.
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Are You a Candidate for HAE?
HAE may be considered for patients with symptomatic internal hemorrhoids, especially when recurrent bleeding is a major concern, and conservative treatment hasn’t provided enough relief.
- Persistent or recurrent rectal bleeding from internal hemorrhoids
- Symptoms despite dietary changes, medications, or other conservative treatment
- Desire to avoid surgical hemorrhoidectomy
- Medical conditions that may make surgery less desirable
- Recurrent symptoms after previous hemorrhoid treatment
The best way to determine whether HAE is appropriate is through an evaluation with an interventional radiologist.
Benefits of Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization
- May reduce bleeding, pressure, and other hemorrhoid symptoms
- No incisions in anal or rectal tissue
- No surgical removal of hemorrhoidal tissue
- Same-day outpatient treatment
- Typically shorter recovery than hemorrhoidectomy
- Low risk of major complications
Compare Your Hemorrhoid Treatment Options
| Treatment | HAE (ECCO Medical) |
Hemorrhoidectomy | Rubber Band Ligation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasiveness | Minimally invasive |
Major surgery | Minor in-office procedure |
| Hospital Stay | No |
Sometimes | No |
| Recovery Time | 1–2 days |
2–4 weeks | A few days; often needs repeat treatments |
| Tissue Removed | No |
Yes | No |
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Why Choose ECCO Medical for Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization?
Hemorrhoid artery embolization requires specialized expertise in navigating small blood vessels and precisely treating the arteries responsible for hemorrhoid symptoms. At ECCO Medical, HAE is performed by board-certified interventional radiologists who specialize in minimally invasive, image-guided procedures.
Patients choose ECCO Medical for:
Experienced Interventional Radiologists
Our physicians have extensive experience with embolization procedures and minimally invasive vascular treatments.
Advanced Imaging Technology
Real-time imaging allows our specialists to precisely identify and treat the arteries supplying the hemorrhoids.
Comfortable Outpatient Care
HAE is performed in our outpatient vascular center, allowing patients to return home the same day without a hospital stay.
Personalized Treatment
We take time to understand your symptoms, previous treatments, and goals before determining whether HAE is the right option for you.
Find Out if HAE Is Right for You
If hemorrhoid bleeding, pressure, discomfort, or other symptoms are interfering with your daily life, surgery isn’t your only option. Hemorrhoid artery embolization may provide lasting symptom relief without incisions, tissue removal, or the lengthy recovery associated with hemorrhoidectomy.
Schedule a consultation with ECCO Medical to meet with one of our specialists, discuss your symptoms, and find out whether HAE may be an appropriate treatment for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization
What is Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization (HAE)?
HAE is a minimally invasive procedure that reduces blood flow to the arteries feeding internal hemorrhoids, causing them to shrink and symptoms to improve—without surgery or tissue removal.
Am I a candidate for HAE?
Good candidates typically have symptomatic grade 1 to 3 internal hemorrhoids with bleeding as a primary symptom, haven’t found lasting relief with conservative treatments, and would prefer to avoid or aren’t candidates for surgical hemorrhoidectomy or trans-anal procedures.
How long does recovery take after HAE?
Most patients return to normal activities within a day or two. Full symptom improvement develops over the following weeks as the hemorrhoids shrink.
Is HAE safe?
HAE is generally considered a low-risk, minimally invasive procedure when performed in appropriately selected patients. As with any catheter-based treatment, complications are possible, and your physician will review the potential risks before treatment.
How soon will hemorrhoid bleeding improve after HAE?
Some patients notice less bleeding within the first few days after hemorrhoid artery embolization, while for others improvement happens more gradually over the following weeks as blood flow to the hemorrhoids decreases and the treated tissue shrinks. Your doctor can explain what to expect based on the severity of your symptoms and how you respond to treatment.
