Haemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swellings containing enlarged blood vessels that are found inside or around the bottom (the rectum and anus). In many cases, haemorrhoids don't cause symptoms, and some people don't even realise they have them. However, when symptoms do occur, they may include: bleeding after passing a stool (the blood is usually bright red) itchy bottom a lump hanging down outside of the anus, which may need to be pushed back in after passing a stool a mucus discharge after passing a stool soreness, redness and swelling around your anus Haemorrhoids aren't usually painful, unless their blood supply slows down or is interrupted.