Haemorrhoids Consultation and Treatment

About this service

Haemorrhoids, commonly called piles, are swollen blood vessels in and around the back passage, and they are extremely common, particularly in pregnancy, after childbirth, in people who strain, in people who sit for long periods and in anyone who has been constipated. Typical symptoms are bright red blood on the toilet paper or in the pan but not mixed through the stool, itching, soreness, a feeling of not having fully emptied, mucus and sometimes a lump. The single most important point about this consultation is that rectal bleeding must never simply be assumed to be haemorrhoids, because bowel cancer can present in exactly the same way.

The features that make us refer you rather than treat you include blood that is dark or mixed through the stool, a change in bowel habit lasting three weeks or more, unexplained weight loss, tiredness suggesting anaemia, a family history of bowel cancer, or new symptoms at 50 or over. If you have any of these we will refer you, and that is a good outcome, not a wasted appointment. Most haemorrhoids improve substantially with changes to fibre, fluid and toilet habits, with topical treatment used for a short period to settle symptoms, and persistent haemorrhoids can be referred for procedures such as banding. At Berkeley Pharmacy our haemorrhoids consultation offers a private, straightforward conversation, a careful check of the features that need investigating, and a clear plan or referral.

What haemorrhoids are and why bleeding must never be assumed

Haemorrhoids, commonly called piles, are swollen blood vessels in and around the back passage, and they are extremely common, particularly in pregnancy, after childbirth, in people who strain, in people who sit for long periods and in anyone who has been constipated. Typical symptoms are bright red blood on the toilet paper or in the pan but not mixed through the stool, itching, soreness, a feeling of not having fully emptied, mucus and sometimes a lump.

The single most important point about this consultation is that rectal bleeding must never simply be assumed to be haemorrhoids, because bowel cancer can present in exactly the same way. The features that make us refer you rather than treat you include blood that is dark or mixed through the stool, a change in bowel habit lasting three weeks or more, unexplained weight loss, tiredness suggesting anaemia, a family history of bowel cancer, or new symptoms at 50 or over. If you have any of these we will refer you, and that is a good outcome, not a wasted appointment. Most haemorrhoids improve substantially with changes to fibre, fluid and toilet habits, with topical treatment used for a short period to settle symptoms, and persistent haemorrhoids can be referred for procedures such as banding.

Who this service is for

How it works

A simple, consistent process for every service at Berkeley Pharmacy.

What to expect at your appointment

Your consultation is private and straightforward, where nobody is embarrassed except possibly you, and we will do our best about that. We ask questions only because they matter, particularly the questions about weight, tiredness and family history.

• A private, straightforward consultation where nobody is embarrassed except possibly you, and we will do our best about that
• Questions about the bleeding, its colour and pattern, your bowel habit, pain, itching, any lump and how long it has been going on
• Questions about weight, tiredness and family history, asked because they matter
• A review of your medical history and current medicines
• Where treatment is appropriate, a discussion of the options and a plan for fibre, fluid and toilet habits
• A clear referral to your GP where anything needs investigating

Aftercare and self-care

The underlying fix is usually about stool consistency, so aim for more fibre, plenty of fluid and regular gentle activity. Use topical treatment only for the short course advised, as prolonged use can irritate the skin.

• The underlying fix is usually about stool consistency, so aim for more fibre, plenty of fluid and regular gentle activity
• Do not strain, do not sit on the toilet for long periods and do not take your phone in with you, which is genuinely one of the more common contributing habits
• Go when you need to rather than holding on
• Keep the area clean and dry, patting rather than rubbing, and avoid heavily perfumed products
• Use topical treatment only for the short course advised, as prolonged use can irritate the skin
• Come back or see your GP if bleeding continues beyond a couple of weeks, if it changes character, or if anything new develops

Frequently asked questions

How we can supply treatment without a GP appointment

Some treatments at Berkeley Pharmacy are supplied under a Patient Group Direction, or PGD – a written instruction, signed by a doctor and a pharmacist, that legally allows our trained pharmacists to supply and administer specified medicines to people who meet defined clinical criteria, without a prescription from your GP. If you do not meet the criteria set out in the PGD we cannot supply the treatment, and we will explain why and advise you on the best next step. Our pharmacists also work as independent prescribers where that is appropriate.

Serving Berkeley and the surrounding Gloucestershire villages

Berkeley Pharmacy is on Market Place in the centre of Berkeley, with easy access from junctions 13 and 14 of the M5. We welcome patients from Berkeley, Sharpness, Newport, Berkeley Heath, Alkington, Ham, Stone and Rockhampton, and we are a short drive from Cam, Dursley, Slimbridge, Cambridge, Falfield, Charfield, Tortworth, Cromhall, Oldbury-on-Severn, Wotton-under-Edge, Thornbury, Frampton on Severn and Stonehouse. Patients also travel to us from Stroud, Nailsworth, Yate, Chipping Sodbury, Tetbury and Gloucester.

• Berkeley
• Sharpness
• Newport
• Berkeley Heath
• Alkington
• Ham
• Stone
• Rockhampton
• Cam
• Dursley
• Slimbridge
• Cambridge
• Falfield
• Charfield
• Tortworth
• Cromhall
• Oldbury-on-Severn
• Wotton-under-Edge
• Thornbury
• Frampton on Severn
• Stonehouse
• Stroud
• Nailsworth
• Yate
• Chipping Sodbury
• Tetbury
• Gloucester

Safe, regulated care from your local pharmacy team

• Berkeley Pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. You can check any pharmacy or pharmacist on the GPhC register at pharmacyregulation.org.
• Every consultation is face to face and private, in our dedicated consultation room – not an online questionnaire.
• Serving the Berkeley community for over 25 years.
• This service does not replace care from your GP. With your consent we will inform your GP of any treatment provided. If you are unwell, have new or worsening symptoms, or need urgent care, contact your GP or NHS 111, and in an emergency call 999.
• If you experience a side effect from any medicine you can report it through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.

Page last reviewed: September 2026. Next review due: September 2027.

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Speak to our pharmacy team about haemorrhoids consultation

Visit us in Berkeley or get in touch to arrange a private consultation with our pharmacist.

Book a consultation Call 01453 810316

Address

14 Market Place, Berkeley, GL13 9BB

Opening hours

Mon–Fri 9am–6pm (closed 1–2pm)

Sat 9am–1pm

Sun Closed