Recently, I have had many conversations with friends, acquaintances, hangers on and what I have started to find is that many of them have piles.

For the uninitiated, piles is the slang term for haemorrhoid in which the dictionary definition is as follows:

# An itching or painful mass of dilated veins in swollen anal tissue.
# haemorrhoids The pathological condition in which such painful masses occur. Also called piles.

Talking about piles in public places is a form of social taboo, a taboo so taboo that a group of men got up and left a pub as my friends and I spoke about the ‘grapes of wrath ‘. Many people are in denial about piles, but the most offensive part of haemorrhoidal chit chat is the word Anusol.

People go wild at the name, and in my conversational research it is women who dish out Anusol Prejudice. Oh, I’d better explain what Anusol is:

The Anusol range includes treatments to suit every need when it comes to piles.

Whether you use cream, ointment, suppositories or a combination of applications, they provide effective, soothing relief from discomfort and irritation.

There are three types of treatment you can use:
Creams are suitable for treating internal and external piles.Ointments can also be used for internal and external piles and because they are slightly greasy, they provide relief for sore, dry skin. Suppositories are ideal for treating internal piles, ensuring that a full dose of medication is applied inside your bottom.

Each treatment contains a number of ingredients:

* Zinc Oxide is an astringent which soothes and protects raw areas and helps reduce swelling. It also acts as an antiseptic to prevent bacterial growth.

* Bismuth Oxide is an astringent and antiseptic and also protects raw, irritated areas.

* Balsam Peru is an antiseptic which has a protective action on sore areas and can promote healing.

* Anusol Plus HC products also contain Hydrocortisone, an effective anti-inflammatory ingredient.

Source: Piles Advice

When a woman who is in a casual relationship with a man, the prejudice can arise when she needs to go to the toilet. The woman plunders around the toilet looking at all the toiletries when ‘ ARGGH! ‘ the tube of Anusol is found.

This can lead to the woman accusing the heterosexual male of closet homosexuality. I find that attitude a dreadful prejudice and it is rather common but not talked about enough.

Has anyone out there been ‘Anusoled’ ? I haven’t, although I know a few. Their names are kept in confidence as would yours.