Pain around the anus when sitting, standing or walking.

Pain at the anus on passing a motion.

Intense pain can be caused by thrombosed hemorrhoids, for the most past such pain is unbearable and you'll most likely head to the hospital or doctor.

Discomfort on passing a motion.

Discomfort - feeling you need to go, but nothing comes out. All the straining just makes things worse by the way.

Just a general feeling of discomfort from the anal area.

Leakage of stool can be a very smelly and a very uncomfortable symptom. Leakage can also lead to the feelings of burning and itching, as it can cause a nappy rash type reaction.

Itching around the anus can become intense and very unpleasant.

A burning sensation around the anus can also be quite unpleasant.

Bleeding is another common sign of hemorrhoids, especially into the stool. Bright red blood is suggestive of hemorrhoids, while very dark or black blood is more suggestive of other complaints higher inside.

Feeling the hemorrhoids when washing can sometimes really scare someone for the first time. Prolapsed hemorrhoids - hemorrhoids that develop inside but 'fall' out - and external hemorrhoids - hemorrhoids that develop outside - are two types of hemorrhoids that can be felt while bathing. The former often feels like a dangly bit, while the external ones feel like a small lump.

Prolapsed hemorrhoids look like a small bunch of tiny grapes.

Thrombosed hemorrhoids look big and tight for the most part.

The normal color of prolapsed hemorrhoids is reddish pink, while a thrombosed one is often bluish, while an external one is often brownish. Internal ones you can not see, but they are pinky red too.

Prolapsed hemorrhoids are 'graded' by doctors according to their symptoms, the more they show outside and the harder they are to keep inside, the higher the grade given to them. When symptoms are diagnosed at a grade four level, a hemorrhoidectomy may well be suggested.

These are, by far and large, the most common signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids. If you have any of these symptoms, then there is a real possibility that you may be suffering from hemorrhoids. Differential diagnosis is, however, very important. Blood in the stool can be caused by typhoid fever or cancer. Itching can be caused by genital warts, especially if sexual penetration was involved. Burning by any sort of infection. Incontinence - leaking stool - by infection or organic causes.

The best way to diagnose is to see your health professional - for most people this will normally be their doctor. The doctor or other health professional will look at your symptoms and may suggest the need for more definitive tests to obtain an accurate diagnosis or grade your hemorrhoids to help work out which medical or alternative treatment may be the best way of helping you.

If seeing the doctor is too awkward, consider writing the symptoms down for them to read. A good doctor will normally be sensitive and understanding to your embarrassment and put you at ease before doing an examination. If you are a male you may prefer a female doctor, if you are a female, you may feel less threatened if the consultation is with a female doctor.