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No one likes to talk about them, but hemorrhoids are a fact of life for many people, especially during pregnancy. Hemorrhoids are simply veins inside or outside of your anus that have become large and swollen.
Also called piles, they can look like varicose veins when outside your body. Hemorrhoids develop frequently during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester and during and shortly after childbirth.
You may have hemorrhoids only during pregnancy, or you may have them at other times of your life as well.
The causes of your hemorrhoids may be unique to pregnancy. You can often treat or prevent hemorrhoids with home-based remedies and lifestyle adjustments.
There are two types of hemorrhoids: internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids. Each type of hemorrhoid can have different symptoms.
Internal hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids form inside your body, within the rectum. Because they are concealed in the rectum, they can be harder to diagnose. Some internal hemorrhoids can prolapse, meaning they extend outside of the anal opening.
Although internal hemorrhoids can cause bleeding, they typically don’t cause pain. This is because they are located in an area that doesn’t have nerve endings. However, if an internal hemorrhoid prolapses, it can be extremely painful.
External hemorrhoids
External hemorrhoids form outside of your body. They’re located near the anus and covered by skin. This skin is extra-sensitive and can become inflamed.
An external hemorrhoid can hurt if it becomes swollen or develops a blood clot.
If a blood clot forms in a hemorrhoid, it can cause sudden, severe pain. The pain often gets worse within the first 48 hours, then improves over several days.
The symptoms of hemorrhoids can vary depending on the type of hemorrhoids you have.
Common hemorrhoid symptoms
Generally, you will experience these symptoms with external hemorrhoids. You may have no symptoms with internal hemorrhoids.
You may also develop a blood clot in an external hemorrhoid. This is known as a thrombosed hemorrhoid. They are generally hard, inflamed, and more painful.
It’s possible to push out an internal hemorrhoid when having a bowel movement. If this occurs, you may experience bleeding and discomfort.
Up to
Causes
- increased blood volume, leading to larger veins
- pressure on veins near your anus from the baby and your growing uterus
- changing hormones
- constipation
You may be more susceptible to constipation during pregnancy than at other times of life. One
This constipation may be due to:
- sitting for long periods of time
- changing hormones
- taking iron or other supplements
Your hemorrhoids may disappear completely after pregnancy and delivery without any treatment as your hormone levels, blood volume, and intra-abdominal pressure decrease after delivery.
The most common times hemorrhoids develop during pregnancy is in your third trimester and during and immediately after childbirth. You may develop hemorrhoids from childbirth if you experience extended straining during the second stage of labor.
You can try many home remedies and lifestyle modifications to reduce hemorrhoids.
It’s best not to ignore them, though. Untreated hemorrhoids may get worse with time and cause complications such as increased pain or, in rare cases, anemia from bleeding.
You may need to reach out to a healthcare professional to diagnose and treat your hemorrhoids. Since hemorrhoids are not the only cause of bleeding near your anus, it’s always a good idea to speak with a doctor if you notice new bleeding when you wipe or in your stool.
Home remedies for hemorrhoids
There are many steps you can take at home to relieve and prevent hemorrhoids. Here are some ideas.
- Use wipes or pads that contain witch hazel.
- Use gentle, flushable wipes when you have a bowel movement.
- Use a sitz bath or soak in clean warm water for 10 minutes at a time a few times a day.
- Take Epsom salt baths in warm water that’s not too hot.
- Hold an ice pack on the area for a few minutes several times a day.
- Move around frequently and try not to sit for too long to avoid extra pressure on your anus.
- Drink lots of water and eat foods high in fiber to help keep stools soft.
- Avoid straining while having a bowel movement or sitting on the toilet for long periods of time.
- Perform Kegel exercises to strengthen muscles.
You can shop for many of these items online:
You may want to speak with a doctor before treating hemorrhoids at home. This will ensure you get a proper diagnosis and understand the treatment options available to you.
Medical treatment for hemorrhoids
During pregnancy, always talk with your doctor before taking any medication, including those you apply to your skin (topical). This will ensure treatments do not pose a risk to your baby.
Topical over-the-counter or prescription treatments may help hemorrhoids. These medications often include pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory ingredients.
Creams or ointments that contain hydrocortisone-pramoxine can be especially effective for reducing pain, inflammation, and itching caused by hemorrhoids. But these ingredients may not be safe for pregnancy. Make sure to discuss them with a doctor.
The doctor may also be able to recommend a safe laxative or a suppository to relieve constipation.
Some prescription oral treatments, like
Other medical treatment options for hemorrhoids includes:
- Rubber band ligation. During banding, a small rubber band is placed around the base of a hemorrhoid. The band stops the flow of blood into the hemorrhoid and eventually the hemorrhoid will fall off. This usually takes 10 to 12 days. Scar tissue is formed during this process that helps prevent the hemorrhoid from recurring in that same location.
- Sclerotherapy. A chemical solution is injected directly into the hemorrhoid. This causes it to shrink and to form scar tissue. It’s possible for a hemorrhoid to return after this treatment.
- Hemorrhoidectomy. A hemorrhoidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove hemorrhoids. It’s associated with several risks, including general anesthesia, risk of damage to the muscles of the anus, more pain, and a longer recovery time. As a result, this treatment is only recommended for severe hemorrhoids or when there are complications, such as multiple hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids that have prolapsed.
- Stapledhemorrhoidopexy. The hemorrhoidal tissue is placed back inside the anus and held in place using surgical staples.
Your doctor may suggest packing the site of the hemorrhoid with absorbent bandages to avoid excessive bleeding.
You can try to reduce hemorrhoids or prevent them from developing in several ways.
Prevention tips
- Eat a diet full of fiber-rich foods, like vegetables and fruits.
- Drink plenty of water to help keep your stools soft and your bowel movements regular.
- Avoid straining when using the toilet.
- Avoid sitting on the toilet for long periods of time.
- Pass a bowel movement as soon as you feel it coming — not holding it in or delaying.
- Move around as much as you can by exercising and avoid long periods of sitting.
- Talk with your doctor about adding a supplement to your diet that helps avoid constipation.
If you’re pregnant and think you have hemorrhoids, be sure to talk with your doctor about the symptoms you’re having.
Contact a doctor if you have:
Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are common. Seek medical treatment if you discover a hemorrhoid since they can get worse.
There are many home treatments you can try, but you may need medical treatment as well. Talk with your doctor about any treatment, including over-the-counter creams, to be sure it won’t affect your pregnancy.
After childbirth, your hemorrhoids may clear up on their own without any treatment.