Has anyone found weightlifting gives them piles?

[79andnotout]

I go to a local gym with small classes - six per session or less. You book on a slot and work through your program. Deadlifts, cleans, barbell reverse lunge etc. I do these with not particularly heavy weights - 20-40kg. I'm supervised, think the technique is fine, focus on breathing etc. However, I'm pretty sure it's giving me piles. I've stopped and started the programs on and off over the last three years and the piles go away whenever I'm not training. My diet is good and consistent, lots of fibre, vegetarian homecooked food.

I really like training but I can't keep getting piles. Has anyone ever had this and figured out a solution? It seems I'm the only one in the gym admitting to this issue. I should say I've had them in the past so I must be particularly prone - it only takes one long haul flight, a night on the booze, or a couple of greasy meals (none of which I do these days) to have the same effect so I clearly have a fine balance to maintain.

I should also say I've been to my GP a couple of times but they have said use cream or come back to see about an op which I never have.

Thanks!

I'm deadlifting 110 k. No piles here

you shouldn't really be putting much pressure down there to cause piles, as your core and pelvic floor etc should be solid and supporting the weight, maybe technique internally isn't as ok as you think?

Yeah quite possibly, I'm just going by what the instructor says. He has a BSc and Masters in sports science so I assumed if he said I'm doing things properly and I haven't been injured at all otherwise in the three years that I was doing it ok. It feels ok. But yeah I must be doing something wrong.

I've been keeping my weights low to avoid this but it seems it's still happening. Frustrating as my middle aged body really misses the weights when I stop and just switch to running.

It's caused by bad technique rather than the lifting itself.

Weight lifting itself isn’t the cause of hemorrhoids – they are a result of poor technique! It is more difficult than we think to lift weights correctly. People frequently hold their breath and strain as they lift heavy weights. Holding your breath and grunting (you know, you’ve heard that person at the gym) will force the air down into your lungs while increasing the pressure on your internal organs, thus creating the veins near your rectum to swell into hemorrhoids.

https://www.coloradocolonandrectalspecialists.com/blog/weightlifters-and-hemorrhoids#:~:text=People%20frequently%20hold%20their%20breath,rectum%20to%20swell%20into%20hemorrhoids.

Can't say I've ever emitted any grunts at the gym. I've been taking it very steady. And yes been very careful to keep breathing while I'm lifting.

I've just had a dive over onto Reddit and it seems this is a big problem for lots of weightlifters over there, so it seems I'm not the only one, although it sounds like diet plays a big part in their issues (my diet is high in fibre as I live in fear of the 'roids!).

It must be poor technique like you say. I will do more research and speak to my trainer and step it down another level.

Definitely sounds like technique is the issue. I'm early 50s and have been lifting for 20+ years and have never had any issues with piles or know anyone who has. And I've been lifting much heavier than you. You're doing what the instructor says but it may be that his form (or coaching) isn't great. There are plenty of PTs around with poor form (I'm thinking of one I watch at my gym in particular - she's appalling yet seems to have plenty of clients who have no idea how poor she is). I usually look on with horror.

I do however feel as though I'm going to fart when I lift heavy 😳😆