Scientific studies

These elements summarize in an abbreviated and simplified way the state of the scientific art on which our team of engineers, formulators, doctors and pharmacists relies to design our products.

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Last updated: November 2024

Note: These items are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute a prescription. If you suffer from hemorrhoids, consult a doctor.

I. General information about hemorrhoids

II. Effectiveness of natural active ingredients on hemorrhoids

III. Results of Butt Butter Cream Usage Tests

Bibliography

I. General information about hemorrhoids

+ What are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are a network of arterial and venous vessels located in the anal canal. This network exists at two levels:

External hemorrhoids located around the anal opening
Internal hemorrhoids located inside the anus

The hemorrhoidal network in its normal state can be asymptomatic, but being a very exposed venous network, it is frequently subject to complications. All of these complications constitute hemorrhoidal disorders.

In common parlance, the term "hemorrhoids" generally refers to hemorrhoidal disorders, not the venous network of the same name.

+ What are the symptoms of hemorrhoidal disease?

Hemorrhoidal crisis can manifest itself through several symptoms:

Pain and itching in the anal area. The set of symptoms leading to itching is sometimes called pruritus ani.
Bleeding into salts, on toilet paper, through dripping, or on underwear
A prolapse (unusual growth) that may appear around the anal area, and can sometimes flow back into the rectal canal

+ What are the causes of hemorrhoidal disease?

The causes of hemorrhoidal disease are still debated within the scientific community. However, there remains a consensus on certain factors that can contribute to the development of complications.

1. Pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum

Pregnancy is a major cause of hemorrhoids. A study conducted in Detroit on 835 pregnant women showed an 86% prevalence of hemorrhoidal disorders.

2. Transit disorders

Bowel problems and constipation may be linked to an increase in hemorrhoidal problems.

A study published in 2015 in England and following 2,813 participants shows that constipation is strongly correlated with the presence of hemorrhoids.

3. Healthy lifestyle

It is generally accepted that a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, and other lifestyle factors can impact the presence of hemorrhoidal symptoms. However, research on these factors is still incomplete and sometimes yields contradictory results. It is therefore difficult to draw conclusions about the determining lifestyle factors in hemorrhoidal disorders.

II. Effectiveness of natural active ingredients on hemorrhoids

There are a number of "traditional" remedies used to relieve hemorrhoidal problems. Some of them have a significant body of research supporting their effectiveness.

+ Natural veinotonic active ingredients

Since hemorrhoidal disorders are linked to a dysfunction of a venous network, venotonic active ingredients (promoting circulation) are sometimes indicated as treatment.

One of the most scientifically validated natural venotonics is horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum). One of the most recent studies, published in 2024 , shows the effectiveness of using horse chestnut to treat patients with hemorrhoids (120 patients assigned to two groups in a double-blind study). This study confirms the results of another study published in 2011 .

Butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is also often recommended for the treatment of hemorrhoids. Some studies show its positive impact on circulation, but there is a lack of research to prove its effectiveness in the specific case of hemorrhoids.

+ Natural active ingredients promoting transit

Natural ingredients that promote transit (fibers, probiotics) are another class of active ingredients whose research shows a positive impact on patients suffering from hemorrhoids.

In fact, a study of 378 patients , including a double-blind control, concluded that a fiber supplement was effective not only in relieving the symptoms of hemorrhoids, but also in reducing their recurrence.

The study shows that consumption of the fiber supplement improved the chances of recovery by 47% and reduced bleeding by 50%.

There are many natural sources of fiber, which can come from food or supplements, for example:

Psyllium ( Plantago ovata )
Gum arabic ( Acacia senegal )
Oat bran ( Avena sativa )
Apple pectin ( Malus domestica )
Flaxseed ( Linum usitatissimum )

+ Hemorrhoids and liver function

The development of hemorrhoids has long been associated with the hepatic portal system, and therefore with the proper functioning of the liver. However, more recent research has shown that hemorrhoids are actually linked to the arterial system.

Although this topic may still be subject to debate, the scientific consensus seems to indicate a decorrelation between hemorrhoidal disorders and liver function.

III. Results of Butt Butter Cream Usage Tests

The study of the effectiveness of the Butt Butter soothing cream (use test) was carried out on 20 volunteers over a period of 7 days , under dermatological control by the Hamilton laboratory .

The test methodology complies with:

Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products.
Recommendations from Cosmetics Europe – The Personal Care Association (formerly COLIPA) entitled "Product Test Guidelines for the Assessment of Human Skin Compatibility 1997."
Recommendations of Cosmetics Europe – The Personal Care Association (formerly COLIPA) for the evaluation of the efficacy of cosmetic products, 2008.
Recommendations from Cosmetics Europe – The Personal Care Association (formerly COLIPA) entitled "GUIDELINES FOR COSMETIC PRODUCT CLAIM SUBSTANTIATION" (Revision and extension of the Colipa Guidelines on Efficacy, 2001/rev. 2008), 22 May 2019.

The typology of volunteers is detailed in the table below.

100% of participants reported a soothing effect from the cream, and 95% of subjects reported that this effect lasted 1 hour after applying the cream

The positive results of these tests allowed the use of the claim "Soothing Cream" on the packaging of Butt Butter cream.

Bibliography

1. Haas, P. et al. (1983) 'The prevalence of hemorrhoids', Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, 26(7), pp. 435–439. doi:10.1007/bf02556521.

2. Peery, AF et al. (2015) 'Risk factors for hemorrhoids on screening colonoscopy', PLOS ONE , 10(9). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0139100.

3. Sanmee, S. et al. (2024) 'The efficacy of aescin combined with MPFF for early control of bleeding from acute hemorrhoids, a randomized controlled trial', Asian Journal of Surgery [Preprint]. doi:10.1016/j.asjsur.2024.07.336.

4. Gami, Bharat. (2011). Hemorrhoids - a common ailment among adults, causes & treatment: A review. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 03.5-12

5. Alonso, Pablo & Mills, Ed & Heels-Ansdell, Diane & Lopez-Yarto, Maite & Zhou, Qi & Johanson, John & Guyatt, Gordon. (2006). Fiber for the Treatment of Hemorrhoids Complications: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The American journal of gastroenterology. 101. 181-8. 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2005.00359.x.

6. Bernstein, William CMD1. What are hemorrhoids and what is their relationship to the portal venous system?. Diseases of the Colon & Rectum 26(12):p 829-834, December 1983. | DOI: 10.1007/BF02554764

7. Ezberci, F. and Ünal, E. (2018) 'Aesculus hippocastanum (aescin, horse chestnut) in the management of hemorrhoidal disease: Review', Turkish Journal of Colorectal Disease , 28(2), pp. 54–57. doi:10.4274/tjcd.16442.

8. Mihai, DP; Seremet, OC; Nitulescu, G.; Ivopol, M.; Sevastre, A.-S.; Negres, S.; Ivopol, G.; Nitulescu, GM; Olaru, OT Evaluation of Natural Extracts in Animal Models of Pain and Inflammation for a Potential Therapy of Hemorrhoidal Disease. Sci. Pharm. 2019, 87, 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm87020014

9. Gustomi, M., & Mahmudah, R. (2024). The Relationship Between Dietary Fiber Consumption Patterns and Physical Activity with the Incidence of Hemorrhoids. Kontribusia: Research Dissemination For Community Development, 7(2), 115-124. doi:10.30587/kontribusia.v7i2.8061

10. Lokarjana, L. et al. (2021) 'The relationship between low fiber consumption and the incidence of haemorrhoids patients', Advances in Health Sciences Research [Preprint]. doi:10.2991/ahsr.k.210723.047.

11. Lohsiriwat V. Hemorrhoids: from basic pathophysiology to clinical management. World J Gastroenterol. 2012 May 7;18(17):2009-17. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i17.2009. PMID: 22563187; PMCID: PMC3342598.

12. The Evaluation and Treatment of Hemorrhoids: A Guide for the Gastroenterologist
Ganz, Robert A. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Volume 11, Issue 6, 593 - 603

13. Liang Y, Ren T, Li R, Yu Z, Wang Y, Zhang X, Qin Z, Li J, Hu J, Luo C. Natural Products with Potential Effects on Hemorrhoids: A Review. Molecules. 2024; 29(11):2673. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29112673

14. Odukoya, OA, Sofidiya, MO, Ilori, OO, Gbededo, MO, Ajadotuigwe, JO, & Olaleye, OO (2009). Hemorrhoid therapy with medicinal plants: astringency and inhibition of lipid peroxidation as key factors. International Journal of Biological Chemistry, 3(3), 111-8

15. Odukoya, OA, Sofidiya, MO, Ilori, OO, Gbededo, MO, Ajadotuigwe, JO, & Olaleye, OO (2009). Hemorrhoid therapy with medicinal plants: astringency and inhibition of lipid peroxidation as key factors. International Journal of Biological Chemistry, 3(3), 111-8

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