Editing Hemorrhoid (section)

==Epidemiology==
It is difficult to determine how common hemorrhoids are as many people with the condition do not see a healthcare provider.<ref name=AFP2006 /><ref name=CE2009>{{cite journal |last = Reese |first = GE |author2 = von Roon, AC |author3 = Tekkis, PP |title = Haemorrhoids. |journal = Clinical Evidence |date = Jan 29, 2009 |volume = 2009 |pmid = 19445775 |pmc = 2907769 }}</ref> However, symptomatic hemorrhoids are thought to affect at least 50% of the US population at some time during their lives, and around 5% of the population is affected at any given time.<ref name=Review09 /> Both sexes experience about the same incidence of the condition,<ref name=Review09 /> with rates peaking between 45 and 65&nbsp;years.<ref name=Kaidar2007 /> Some studies have found that they are common in people of higher [[socioeconomic status]],<ref name=Beck2011 /> however this may reflect differences in healthcare access rather than true prevalence.<ref name="p663">{{cite journal | last=Lohsiriwat | first=Varut | title=Hemorrhoids: From basic pathophysiology to clinical management | journal=World Journal of Gastroenterology | volume=18 | issue=17 | date=2012 | pages=2009–2017 | pmid=22563187 | doi=10.3748/wjg.v18.i17.2009 | doi-access=free | pmc=3342598 }}</ref>

Long-term outcomes are generally good, though some people may have recurrent symptomatic episodes.<ref name=AFP2006 /> Only a small proportion of persons end up needing surgery.<ref name=Beck2011 />