Hemorrhoids Treatments

Hemorrhoids Topics

Hemorrhoids And Pregnancy

Men are more likely to suffer from hemorrhoids than women, however, some women will develop hemorrhoids during pregnancy or as a result of childbirth. When this happens, the hemorrhoids typically disappear on their own.

Hemorrhoids are varicose veins, which are blood vessels that have become unusually swollen. Hemorrhoids range from the size of a raison to the size of a grape. Occasionally, the enlarged veins will protrude through the anus.

Hemorrhoids are common during pregnancy and childbirth and women who have had hemorrhoids before pregnancy are more likely to get them while they are pregnant

Pregnant Woman in a Hospital Room Though approximately 75% of the American population suffers from hemorrhoids, experts are still unsure as to what actually causes hemorrhoids.

Often times, hemorrhoids are the cause of diarrhea, constipation and sitting in an upright position for a prolonged period of time. Many pregnant women get hemorrhoids because of the shift in weight from carrying the baby and not necessarily because of constipation. Pushing and straining as a result of constipation can definitely play a role in why someone might get a hemorrhoid.

Some women develop hemorrhoids during the second stage of labor while they are pushing the baby out. Most often times, hemorrhoids will go away on their own when a woman gets them while pregnant.

A pregnant woman’s growing uterus puts pressure on the pelvic veins and the inferior vena cava, which is a large vein on the right side of the body, which receives blood from the lower limbs. When the uterus puts pressure on these areas, the blood from the lower half of the body can be slowed, which increases pressure on the veins below the uterus, causing them to become more dilated or swollen.

Constipation is a common occurrence for pregnant women. Constipation can both be the cause of hemorrhoids as well as an irritant to hemorrhoids which were already present.

Pregnant women have an increase in the hormone progesterone, which causes the walls of their veins to relax, thus allowing them to swell more easily. Progesterone can also contribute to constipation because it slows down the intestinal track.

Women can seek relief from their hemorrhoids during pregnancy by applying an ice pack with a soft covering to the affected area several times a day. Ice can help decrease swelling and discomfort. Another somewhat alternative method is to apply a cold compress which has been saturated with witch hazel to the affected area.

Pregnant women may also soak the affected area in what’s called a sitz batch, which is a small plastic basin, which has been filled with warm water and positioned over the toilet. This should be done up to four times a day for 10 to 15 minutes each time.

Lastly, the affected area should be cleaned gently yet thoroughly with a soft, unscented white toilet tissue after each bowel movement. Some women prefer that the tissue be moistened with warm water. This helps to ease irritation and keep the area clean. Tucks brand makes a medicated wipe which has already been pre-moistened and is specifically formulated for hemorrhoid treatment. Otherwise, pregnant women should speak to their healthcare provider regarding a safe topical treatment which can be applied to the affected area and is safe for the baby.