Hemorrhoids are swollen veins around the opening where waste leaves the body. They can itch, hurt, or bleed a little when you go to the toilet. People get them from pushing too hard, from sitting a long time, or during pregnancy. In everyday English the word is almost always plural: I have hemorrhoids. A doctor may speak of one hemorrhoid, but ordinary talk treats them as a set. This spelling is the American one. British English writes haemorrhoids, with ae. Same word, same meaning, same part of the body — only the letters change, the way American English also writes hemorrhage without the extra a. It is a slightly medical, slightly private word; people often lower their voice, or make a joke, because they feel shy. Though actually it is extremely common, and nothing to be ashamed of.