 [ Symptoms ] hemorrhiods at 18 so i have had hemorrhoids for a few years now diagnosed by a doctor when i was 18 yo & pretty positive they are hereditary i like to believe i have a decent diet i exercise probably 5 days a week at least and drink plenty of fluids also i am not overweight i started taking a stool softener and i will not lie i was not consistent on taking it every night but i did take it at least 3 times a week for about 6 months however i have had no change in my hemorrhoids external whats the next step [ Disease ] your next step may be surgery not as bad as you may fear see a proctologist