How Can You Treat Symptoms During Pregnancy
If you experience symptoms, try one of these remedies:
- Cold therapy can help reduce swelling and bring temporary relief. Apply an ice pack to the affected area.
- Soak in warm water several times a day. If you don’t have a bathtub, you can buy a sitz bath. After getting out of the tub, pat the area dry.
- If sitting is uncomfortable, get a donut-shaped pillow to ease the pressure.
- Apply witch hazel pads to the area and change the pads frequently. Witch hazel has a cooling effect and helps reduce swelling.
- Baking soda used wet or dry can be applied topically to help alleviate itching.
- Coconut oil can relieve pain and inflammation. So can pure aloe vera without added chemicals and fragrances, or arnica.
- Stay clean and use soft, unscented toilet tissue or unscented wipes to avoid more irritation in the affected area.
- Acupuncture can also help.
Remedies And Treatments For Pregnancy Hemorrhoids
There are several remedies you can try to get rid of hemorrhoids during pregnancy:
- Use cold. Cold therapy may reduce swelling and discomfort. Apply an ice pack to the affected area several times a day. Some women also find cold compresses saturated with witch hazel soothing.
- Use heat. Soak your bottom in a tub of warm water for 10 to 15 minutes a few times each day. If you don’t have a tub, you can buy a sitz bath, a small basin that you fill with water and position over your toilet so you can sit and submerge your rectal area.
- Alternate cold and hot. Use cold treatments first, then warm, and repeat.
- Keep clean. Clean the affected area gently but thoroughly after each bowel movement. Use soft, unscented toilet tissue, which is less irritating than other varieties. Many women prefer to use unscented wipes rather than toilet tissue. You can also buy wipes moistened with witch hazel specifically for treating hemorrhoids.
- Medicate. Ask your healthcare provider about taking medication for hemorrhoids during pregnancy. They may recommend a topical anesthetic or medicated suppository that’s safe to use. Talk to your provider if you need to use these products for more than a week.
Apply Witch Hazel Externally
Witch Hazel is an extremely popular and trustworthy pregnancy hemorrhoids treatment, both historically and today. It helps relieve itching and burning by targeting the mucus secretions of hemorrhoids with its natural anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. Many hemorrhoid specific OTC treatments are made with Witch Hazel, coming in wipe, spray and other topical forms.
You can find pure Witch Hazel at many drug stores, along with hemorrhoid treatments that combine the soothing and healing properties of Witch Hazel with other relieving ingredients. Doctor Butlers Hemorrhoid Spray combines Witch Hazel with Aloe for its antiseptic and cooling properties in a no touch delivery system.
Don’t Miss: How Do Doctors Treat Hemorrhoids
What Can You Do To Prevent Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
The best thing to do to prevent hemorrhoids during pregnancy is to avoid getting constipated. If you are constipated, avoid straining during bowel movements.
Try the following to prevent constipation:
- Eat a high fiber diet
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Do not delay going to the bathroom
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
Best Hemorrhoid Cream During Pregnancy
The secret in finding the best hemorrhoid cream to use during pregnancy is finding a cream with natural ingredients.
Studies have concluded that the use of natural ingredients like beeswax, honey, and olive oil are effective in treating symptoms of hemorrhoids.
Products that have accumulated a number of 5 star reviews on sites like as being both safe and effective treatments for hemorrhoids that occur during pregnancy.
Other popular creams like Preparation H are also safe to use when pregnant.
As with any other treatmentnatural or notconsult your doctor before use.
Recommended Reading: How To Heal Internal Bleeding Hemorrhoids
When Should I See A Medical Professional
If your symptoms have remained the same or worsened over the course of a week, or if you are experiencing excessive bleeding or severe pain at any time, please consult your medical professional immediately. Your doctor may perform a digital inspection by inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum. Or she may do a visual inspection by examining your lower colon and rectum with an anoscope, proctoscope, or sigmoidoscope. In addition, your doctor may suggest taking oral pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen, or over-the-counter creams to relieve discomfort temporarily.
Resources:
What Can I Do For Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy?American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/ask-acog/what-can-i-do-for-hemorrhoids-during-pregnancy
Postpartum Pain Management.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/postpartum-pain-management
Hemorrhoids.Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemorrhoids/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20360280
This article contains affiliate links. These opinions are our own. However, if you buy something, we may earn a small commission, which helps us keep our content free to our readers. To see more of our recommended products, check out our Chick Picks Shop here. Its our carefully curated shop of products we love and recommend!
What Can Cause Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
The increase in the hormone progesterone during pregnancy can also contribute to the development of hemorrhoids, as it relaxes the walls of your veins, making them more prone to swelling. An increase in blood volume, which enlarges veins, can also contribute to hemorrhoids during pregnancy.
Three common additional causes of hemorrhoids during pregnancy include:
- Straining during bowel movements
- Straining from carrying extra pregnancy weight
- Sitting or standing for long periods of time
Hemorrhoids are most common in pregnant women who experience constipation.
As many as 38 percent of pregnant women become constipated at some point during their pregnancy, according to research published in the journal BMJ Clinical Evidence.
One cause of constipation during pregnancy may be when the growing uterus pushes against the bowel. Iron supplements you may take can also contribute to constipation, so its worth trying to get the iron you need naturally through your diet.
Pregnancy hormones can also slow down the movement of food through the digestive tract, making constipation more likely.
You May Like: What Doctor Do You See About Hemorrhoids
Don’t Miss: Cure Internal Hemorrhoids Without Surgery
What Can I Do To Avoid Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
Though hemorrhoids sometimes simply take place, there are ways to reduce your risk. To prevent trapping more blood in the veins, try not to strain when youre doing your business.
Prevent constipation by staying hydrated and eating a well-balanced, fiber-filled diet . Given that excess weight can likewise contribute to hemorrhoids, prevent acquiring more than your doctor suggests, and leave your bottom typically both during pregnancy and after delivery.
Moving alleviates the pressure on the veins in your pelvic area and gets your bowels moving. When youre feeling lazy, though, rest and make yourself comfy long periods of sitting or standing add hemorrhoid-inducing pressure. Kegel exercises can likewise alleviate hemorrhoids by increasing flow to the area, together with assisting to stop urine leaks and reducing the chances of an episiotomy three quite persuading reasons to give them a try.
If Youre Having A Bowel Movement
- Squat to do your doo. Squatting is the natural way to poo. Sitting, or worse, leaning back, pinches the intestines so your stool gets stuck. It puts a lot of pressure on the rectum. Squatting, on the other hand, lets everything relax. You can try raising your legs up and leaning forward so youre in a more squat position, or you can invest in one of these.
Here are more tips on how to have a great poop.
You May Like: What’s The Best Stool Softener For Hemorrhoids
Should I Be Worried About Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
Theres no need to worry about hemorrhoids, especially when you know how to manage symptoms if you do get them. Hemorrhoids can be uncomfortable, but theyre harmless and usually go away eventually.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Hemorrhoids can be an uncomfortable and even embarrassing part of pregnancy, but dont worry if you have them. Relieving constipation and finding ways to soothe your symptoms can help make them more manageable. If your symptoms are bothering you and home treatments arent helping, reach out to your provider.
Vary Your Activity Level
Sitting or standing for long periods of time places added pressure on the pelvis during pregnancy and can lead to the development or worsening of hemorrhoids. If you are required to sit at a desk for hours at a time, try to stand up every 30 minutes or so to stretch and walk around.
If, on the other hand, you need to stand on your feet for long periods of time , ask for a bar-height stool to sit on.
Also Check: When To Seek Help For Hemorrhoids
Will Haemorrhoids Continue After Ive Had My Baby
In most cases, haemorrhoids go away after your baby is born. While regular treatment of haemorrhoids is encouraged during breastfeeding, it is especially important to drink plenty of water at this time to prevent constipation. If you find that your haemorrhoids do not get better even a short time after giving birth, speak to your doctor about further treatment.
Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy And The Best Way To Treat Them
by Robert Cutler, D.O. | Jun 7, 2021 | Pregnancy and Motherhood |
Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are a common inconvenience that can be managed with some time and care. This guide will help you minimize the uncomfortable, itchy, painful symptoms of pregnancy and postpartum hemorrhoids and give you tips to help lead you back to full anorectal health.
We will also talk briefly about hemorrhoids themselves, including what they are, why half of all pregnancies result in them, how to treat them, and how best to prevent them from forming in the first place. This information helps to make sense of the practical tips I provide later.
As a practicing proctologist, Ive spent more than 30 years treating many different anorectal conditions, hemorrhoids while pregnant included, and have figured out effective treatments and prevention strategies, so read on to learn more. If you have any questions after reading, send me a message on our contact page.
Recommended Reading: What Can Be Done For Internal Hemorrhoids
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
- Eat a high-fiber diet. Choose from fresh avocados, beans, and other fruits and vegetables.
- Don’t delay going to the bathroom when you feel the urge. Make sure you don’t sit on the toilet longer than necessary because this puts pressure on your rectal area.
- If you’re already constipated, ask your healthcare provider about a fiber supplement or stool softener.
- Choose a food-based prenatal vitamin. Synthetic vitamins, especially iron, can cause constipation. Food-based prenatal vitamins are more absorbable.
Keep moving
- Get regular exercise right up to your due date as long as your provider says it’s OK.
- Don’t sit or stand for long stretches of time. If your job involves sitting at a desk, get up and move around for a few minutes every hour or so.
Promote good habits
- Drink plenty of water and other fluids. If you aren’t drinking enough, your body will reabsorb water through the colon, leaving dry stool that’s hard to push out.
- Lie on your side when sleeping, reading or watching TV to take the pressure off your rectal veins.
- Try not to gain more than the recommended amount of weight because the more you gain, the more pressure on the rectum.
Helpful Tips On How To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
So far, there are two major causes of hemorrhoidsweight gain and constipation. If youre wondering how long pregnancy hemorrhoids last, Dr. Folch-Hayek OBGYN says that they start healing as soon as the cause goes away. But there are ways to get rid of hemorrhoids during pregnancy, and several things that you can do to lessen your risk or relieve the pain.
Diet and exercise
Since constipation is a primary factor for developing hemorrhoids, make sure to increase your fiber and water intake. These will help with digestion, which happens slowly during pregnancy. Exercises also help with fluid and blood circulation, as well as speed up the metabolism a little.
Medications
If pain is present, Tylenol will help alleviate it. Although it is perfectly safe for pregnant individuals, you should consult your primary care provider to know how to take this medication. Some topical creams that are safe for use during pregnancy may also help ease the pain and itching but, once again, ask your OBGYN for recommendations. Usually, what we can only do during this time is pain management, says Dr. Folch-Hayek.
Donut cushion
Donut cushions may also provide relief. They wont necessarily treat the hemorrhoids, but they help reduce the pressure in the inflamed area and can provide pregnant individuals comfort, suggests Dr. Folch-Hayek. These soft pillows can also help if youre having discomfort after childbirth.
Physical exam
Don’t Miss: How To Know If I Have Hemorrhoids
Medically Treating Hemorrhoids In Pregnancy
There are medical solutions to problem internal and external hemorrhoids, ranging from the application of OTC ointments to surgery. Surgery is reserved for the most serious and chronic of cases where skin has been permanently stretched out. If pursuing any at-home remedies, still do let your doctor know about the treatment.
Whether pregnant or not, surgery is only advised for hemorrhoids that are causing prolapse, excessive bleeding or pain that will not resolve with ointments, lifestyle changes or in-office treatments. Speak to your doctor if you have chronic hemorrhoids that stay painful no matter how you try to remedy the problem.
If you notice you have external hemorrhoids, but they arent causing you any pain or irritation, then its actually recommended treating the internal hemorrhoids with medicine to help prevent further progression of the external hemorrhoids. If your hemorrhoids are painful however, try the methods discussed above as well as an ointment with Lidocaine and healing herbs to numb the area and promote healing like Doctor Butlers Hemorrhoid Cream or protective Pregnancy Spray
> > > Erase Hemorrhoids Without Surgery Drugs Or Creams
Are You Allergic To Hemorrhoid Drugs? Try This Protocol Instead. Youll Be Amazed By The Simplicity and Effectiveness of This Proven Method
Discover How to Eradicate The Toughest Case of Hemorrhoids Using This Shockingly Easy 60 Second Daily Exercise
How To Ensure A natural and Soft Stool So Youll Never Have To Experience Pressure When Having Bowel Movements
Learn How To Stop Leakage In As Little As 2 Days.
Discover How To Get Dramatic Relief From the Inflammation Down There Using a Powerful Cheap Root Extracts
Discover The All Natural Secret Chinese Herbal Remedy Called Fargei and Exactly How To Use it To Maximize Results. This Will Eliminate Most Hemorrhoids Symptoms Faster Than You Ever Imagine.
SECRET#1: Discover the 1st most important element that when eliminated can virtually banish over 85% of all Hemorrhoids cases
The most powerful homeopathic herb that the Hemorrhoids and drug industries hope you will never find out!
The one secret 100% natural vitamin supplement that you should always take on a daily basis, and is guaranteed to make a dramatic impact on your Hemorrhoids condition sometimes in a matter of days! How to Soothe Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
Also Check: What To Do For Itching Hemorrhoids
Preventing Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
How To Soothe Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
Enjoy your pregnancy and post-natal experience by treating and eliminating the symptoms of pregnancy hemorrhoids. H-Hemorrhoids P is. During pregnancy, increased progesterone causes the walls of the veins to relax, allowing them to swell more easily and increasing constipation by slowing the intestinal tract. This is.
What to Do About Hemorrhoids After Birth Verywell Find out what causes hemorrhoids during pregnancy, and how to treat them at home after birth. Also, read about when you should call a doctor.
Save on Hemorrhoids Pregnancy. Free 2-Day Shipping w/ Amazon Prime.
gel and even peppermint water do a lot to soothe the sore nipples and help a.
How to soothe hemorrhoids. Women are more likely than men to develop hemorrhoids, probably because hemorrhoids commonly occur during pregnancy
Hemorrhoids Internal Treat Over 10 Million Americans Suffer From Hemorrhoids. See What Product Really Works Cream Treatments For Hemorrhoids Herbal Sitz Bath Hemorrhoids Top 5 Hemorrhoids Cures February 2018’s Report | hemorrhoidcenter.org See Which Hemorrhoid Product is the Most Recommended by the Experts and Users! Aloe Vera For Hemorrhoids We Tested the Top 32 Hemorrhoids Cures,
Its not just your imagination: Hemorrhoids are more common during pregnancy.
We Tested the Top 32 Hemorrhoids Cures, Find Out Which Ones Made It To The Top 5
Lately, theres been some discussion as to the safety of my favorite frozen treat.
Don’t Miss: When To See Doctor For Hemorrhoids