What to Expect
From booking to going home - exactly what happens, step by step.
Nobody looks forward to this appointment
For most people the idea of getting haemorrhoids treated is awkward at best. Knowing the process in advance takes most of that away. Here is the whole thing - what we ask, what the examination involves, what the treatment feels like and how you will feel afterwards - so that nothing on the day is a surprise.
Your visit, step by step
Four stages, one appointment of about an hour.
Before your appointment
A short call or online booking, and almost nothing to prepare.
Getting in touch
- Whether you book by phone or online, you share a few basic details about your symptoms.
- We schedule your consultation at a time that suits you, including same-day appointments when you need urgent relief.
Preparing for the visit
- In most cases no special preparation is needed beyond your usual hygiene routine.
- If you have questions or concerns, write them down so you remember to raise them with the doctor.
The consultation
A conversation, then a brief examination to confirm what you are dealing with.
Arrival
- Our team checks you in, and if you arrive early you can wait in a private, comfortable waiting area until you are called.
Your medical history
- You meet the clinician, who goes through your symptoms, your general health and any previous treatment.
- Expect to discuss bowel habits and diet, since both often contribute to flare-ups.
The examination
- To assess the severity and type of haemorrhoids - internal, external or both - a gentle physical examination is usually carried out.
- This means a quick inspection and, if needed, a brief internal check. It can feel awkward; our clinicians do this every day and are trained to be discreet and keep discomfort to a minimum.
Discussing your options
- Based on the examination, the clinician recommends the most suitable non-surgical approach. We specialise in eXroid® electrotherapy, which uses a mild electrical current to shrink haemorrhoid tissue.
- You will hear how the procedure works, its risks and benefits, and what recovery looks like. This is the moment to ask anything you want to ask.
The treatment
Around 30–45 minutes, no sedation, no incision.
Getting ready
- If you and the clinician agree to go ahead the same day, a short setup period follows. You may be asked to change into a gown for easier access to the treatment area.
The procedure itself
- Treatment typically requires no sedation, though local anaesthetic or a numbing cream can be applied if you want it.
- A specialised device delivers a low-level electrical current to the haemorrhoid tissue, which then shrinks gradually over the following days.
- Most sessions are complete within 30 to 45 minutes, depending on how many haemorrhoids are treated.
Managing discomfort
- Patients generally report mild to moderate discomfort rather than pain. Everyone differs - if you feel uneasy at any point, we can pause and adjust.
Afterwards
Home the same day, with straightforward self-care.
Immediately after
- Most people feel instant relief, or at least a clear reduction in symptoms, straight after treatment. Mild soreness or tenderness for a day or two is normal.
- In most cases you go home the same day, and you can drive yourself if you feel comfortable doing so.
Follow-up
- Some patients need a follow-up session, either because a haemorrhoid re-establishes blood flow or because the condition was particularly severe. Of 116 patients treated at our clinics since January 2025, 98 (84%) needed only one treatment session, 17 needed two and one needed three. We cannot tell from the examination which of those you will be, so we do not promise a number of treatments in advance. We discuss this at your first visit so you know what to watch for.
- No patient in that record has needed more than three sessions, and any further session is at least four weeks after the one before it. Follow-up appointments are usually shorter and focus on remaining or recurring tissue.
Self-care at home
- Drink plenty of water and eat a high-fibre diet to prevent constipation and reduce straining.
- Use gentle cleansing - warm water and unscented wipes - to avoid irritating the area.
- Over-the-counter pain relief or a short warm sitz bath eases any lingering discomfort.
Before your visit
The questions patients ask us most often about the appointment itself.
- Do I need to prepare anything before my appointment?
- In most cases no. Beyond your usual hygiene routine there is no special preparation, no fasting and no bowel prep. It is worth writing down any questions beforehand so you remember to ask them.
- What does the examination feel like?
- The examination is brief — a quick inspection and, if needed, a short internal check with a proctoscope. Most people describe mild pressure rather than pain. It is the part patients dread most and almost always the part they say afterwards was easier than expected. Tell the clinician if you are uncomfortable and they will stop.
- How long will I be at the clinic?
- Allow up to an hour for a first appointment. That covers the consultation, the examination and, if you are suitable, your first treatment session. The treatment itself usually takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on how many haemorrhoids are treated.
- Will I be sedated?
- No. eXroid® electrotherapy requires no sedation and no general anaesthetic, and involves no incision. A local anaesthetic or numbing cream can be applied if preferred.
- Can I drive myself home afterwards?
- Yes, in most cases. Because there is no sedation, most people go home the same day and can drive themselves if they feel comfortable doing so.
- How soon can I get back to normal activities?
- Many people return to their usual routine within a day or two, and around 80% are back to normal activities on the day of treatment. Your clinician will give you guidance based on the size and location of your haemorrhoids.
- Will I need more than one session?
- Possibly, and we cannot tell you in advance, because the number of sessions someone needs is not something the examination predicts. What we can tell you is what has happened so far: of 116 patients treated at our clinics since January 2025, 98 (84%) needed only one treatment session, 17 needed two and one needed three, and none has needed more than three. Any further session is at least four weeks after the one before it, and how many you need depends on the grade of the haemorrhoids, how long you have had symptoms and how you heal. Follow-up appointments are usually shorter and focus only on remaining or recurring tissue.
- Will the haemorrhoids come back?
- Electrotherapy significantly reduces the likelihood of recurrence, but lifestyle factors such as straining and a low-fibre diet can contribute to new haemorrhoids forming. Following the self-care advice helps maintain long-term relief.
- Do I need a GP referral?
- No. You can book directly with any of our clinics. If the examination finds something that needs a different specialist, we will tell you and help you take the next step.
Looking for something else? See all frequently asked questions.
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