Hi, before I go in to the hospital to ask, I figure I ll ask on here. I am almost positive I have external hemorrhoid(s). They hurt really bad and my boyfriend who has had them said when he went to the doctor he said to use the ointment, fiber, etc, and push them back in. Well, it hurts too bad to push on them, after the first time I tried I decided against trying again at least for a while.. When I asked my dad he said to immediately go to the doctor, see about surgery etc. Well, I don t want to get a surgery unless it is completely necessary. My first question is: do you suggest a medicine I can use to make them go away? I read about couple but am just trying to figure out the best one. Does this temporarily relieve them until next time, or moderately or does it cure them? Next question. So, I have had this hemorrhoid problem for now, a week and a day. It started hurting a bit last Sunday, and the actual hemorrhoid showed up externally on Thursday, today being Monday. There is very little blood, a bit on the toilet paper when I go to the bathroom is all. I am currently using a stool softener and some ointment, the pain isn t too bad unless I am going to the bathroom, I started a higher intake of fiber and the pills yesturday. My biggest concern is that my vagina is a bit swollen and what I think are my lymph nodes on either side hurt. I just figured well everything is connected so there is no wonder that when one thing is having issues, it bothers other close areas . But then I looked it up online today and keep reading about std s and cancer so now I am concerned about that. I have been with the same person for over 10 months and I am 23 years old. Pretty much I am just wondering if this happens sometimes, the lymph node pain when having hemorrhoids. In most of the other people s questions they have other symptoms so I am curious, with what I have explained, if that is possible. I am going to take whatever medicine, and if it works that is great, if not, I ll go to the doctor, or if other symptoms pop up, I know that any doctor on here will tell me to do that, but I am just looking for some insight before I do. Thanks