We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Show Hemorrhoids are swollen veins that develop around the anus. When they occur, they can cause pain and bleeding. Anyone can develop hemorrhoids, but pregnant women are at higher risk According to the Office on Women’s Health (OWH), up to 50% of pregnant women develop hemorrhoids. According to an article in World of Gastroenterology, hemorrhoids are common during the third trimester. Healthcare providers divide hemorrhoids into two different types— internal and external hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids may require treatment, including medication or non-operative methods, such as rubber band ligation. However, external hemorrhoids do not require treatment unless they cause discomfort. This article will discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatment options available for hemorrhoids during pregnancy. The symptoms may vary depending on whether the hemorrhoids are external or internal. Share on Pinterest InternalInternal hemorrhoids form inside the rectum. Symptoms include:
If a person has a prolapsed hemorrhoid, they may experience pain and discomfort. Otherwise, internal hemorrhoids are not typically painful. Increasing pressure from the growing uterus can also cause hemorrhoids to become distended. ExternalExternal hemorrhoids form on the outside of the anus. Symptoms may include:
The hemorrhoids may bleed or become more painful if a person strains or aggravates them too much. Symptoms may disappear after a few days. When veins function normally, blood flows through them, traveling in one direction. Extra weight and pressure on the pelvis can cause the veins to swell in the lower body causing unpleasant issues, such as hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are common during pregnancy, and according to the OWH, reasons include:
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Health Information Center, other common causes of hemorrhoids include:
Hemorrhoids due to pregnancy may gradually resolve by themselves after delivery. However, a woman can relieve the symptoms by:
A person can purchase a donut cushion here. A pregnant woman can also have a sitz bath. A sitz bath may help to alleviate the symptoms of hemorrhoids, before and after birth. A person can purchase a sitz bath online here. Although mild laxatives, stool softeners, and fiber supplements are generally safe for pregnant women to use, topical ointments may not be safe. Pregnant women should talk to their doctor about which medications are safe for them to use. If a pregnant woman is experiencing a large amount of bleeding, a healthcare provider may suggest anal packing, which is an internal dressing. In some cases, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove the hemorrhoids. Prevention of hemorrhoids during pregnancy is not always possible. However, it might be possible to prevent hemorrhoids by:
A pregnant woman should see a doctor if the symptoms of hemorrhoids become painful and interfere with daily life. A person should also see a doctor if:
Women who are pregnant should talk to a doctor before starting home treatments for hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are common during pregnancy, typically during the third trimester. This is usually due to constipation, increasing pressure on the pelvis, and an increase in blood volume. Symptoms typically include itching, rectal bleeding, and painful lumps. Treatment usually involves managing symptoms at home with cold packs, warm baths, or over-the-counter creams and ointments. A woman should talk to her doctor before taking any medication or ointment for her symptoms to make sure they are safe. Following pregnancy, the hemorrhoids should start to resolve by themselves. If they do not resolve, or they get worse, a woman should talk to a doctor about additional treatment options, such as surgery.
Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the rectal area. They range in size from as small as a bead to as large as nickel, and can be inside or outside the rectum. "Pain and itching are the main symptoms. They usually worsen during bowel movements," says Cathleen Harris, MD, an independent member of the HonorHealth medical staff. “Hemorrhoids also tend to bleed. Pregnancy hemorrhoids are no different than the ones you may experience when you're not pregnant," she notes. Why are they more common during pregnancy?Although hemorrhoids can appear at any time, most moms-to-be get them in the third trimester, starting around week 28. Increased blood flow to the pelvic area, as well as pressure from the enlarging uterus and growing baby, can cause the veins that run through the anus to swell.
Hemorrhoids can also result from constipation since pregnancy hormones cause your bowels slow down. When stool is hard, the extra straining to eliminate it can put pressure on veins in your rectal area, causing them to become inflamed and bulge. "On top of that, higher progesterone levels cause the walls of the veins to relax and allow them to swell more easily," says Dr. Harris. If you had hemorrhoids before pregnancy, you're more likely to have them during pregnancy. They can also develop postpartum because of pushing during labor. How can you prevent hemorrhoids during pregnancy?Your body undergoes a lot of changes when you're expecting, and swelling veins can be one of them. Talk to other expectant moms during prenatal classes, share experiences or ask your instructor about natural remedies. These steps may help you avoid hemorrhoids during pregnancy: Avoid constipation
Keep moving
Promote good habits
How can you treat symptoms during pregnancy?If you experience symptoms, try one of these remedies:
When should you see your healthcare provider?Consult your provider if preventive efforts and home treatments don't help, or if you have severe pain or rectal bleeding. In some cases, you may need professional help shrink your hemorrhoids. Also, always check with your provider before taking any medication for hemorrhoids while you're pregnant. There are a lot of hemorrhoid relief products available. Keep in mind that most of these products should be used for no more than a week to avoid such side effects as skin irritation or thinning. For many women, hemorrhoid symptoms resolve after delivery. If they persist, surgical treatment might be recommended. |