Eessh I had these after birth and they were definitely more painful than my tear / stitches! They got better quickly though, I promise, I just used the beautifully named anusol, and drank the mushy stuff that keeps you regular and softens things - can't think of the name? I will find it if you don't already have it. I don't remember them after 2 weeks and wasn't bothered by them after the first week. Good luck!