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 can result from constipation. Thanks to pregnancy hormones, bowels slow down during pregnancy. 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,” said Dr. Harris.
If you had hemorrhoids before pregnancy, you’re more likely to have them during pregnancy. Hemorrhoids may also develop postpartum as a result of pushing during labor.
Drink Fluids In Between Meals
Drinking water is one of the best healthy habits to start during pregnancy but it can also aid digestion.
The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine recommend pregnant women drink between 8 to 10 glasses of water a day however, you may find that drinking water in between meals, rather than with your meals, can help fight pregnancy heartburn.
Things That Increase Your Risk
- Constipation or diarrhea that does not go away. These conditions may lead to straining with bowel movements.
- Being overweight
- A family history of hemorrhoids. You may inherit the tendency to get them.
- Being age 50 or older. Half of people who are older than 50 seek treatment for hemorrhoids.
- Pregnancy and labour and delivery. As the fetus grows during the last 6 months of pregnancy, blood volume and pressure on pelvic blood vessels increase. The strain of labour also can cause hemorrhoids to start or get worse.
- Liver disease, heart disease, or both. These conditions may cause blood to back up in the pelvis and abdomen.
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Treating Hemorrhoids With Fiber
Hemorrhoids are easily treated at home and should go away within a week. One meta-analysis of seven randomized trials suggested that fiber has an apparent beneficial effect for symptoms and bleeding in the treatment of hemorrhoids.
Since passing hard stool may lead to hemorrhoids, research suggests increasing intake of fiber to help eliminate straining while having a bowel movement. In clinical studies of hemorrhoids, fiber supplementation reduced the risk of persisting symptoms and bleeding by approximately 50%. Since fiber supplementation is safe and affordable, it is a commonly recommended treatment for women during pregnancy.
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Peppermint Oil To Soothe Hemorrhoid Pain
Peppermint oil has a high menthol content that produces a cooling and refreshing sensation when applied to the hemorrhoids.
The European Journal of Dentistry reported that peppermint essential oil can have a cooling effect on hemorrhoids.11
You can use a blend of peppermint oil and coconut oil to help get rid of hemorrhoid pain fast.
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Go When You Need To Go
This sounds like common-sense advice, but too many people ignore it. If you delay using the bathroom, your stool may become hard and dry in your bowel, which makes it harder to pass. If you strain to pass stool, your risk for developing hemorrhoids increases.
Speaking of straining, dont force a bowel movement when you dont need to go, either. Straining increases the pressure on your venous cushions, which leads to hemorrhoids. In particular, straining can turn internal hemorrhoids into external ones.
No, hemorrhoids do not always bleed.
Often, painless bleeding is a sign of the presences of inflamed internal hemorrhoids.
While rectal bleeding is a common side effect, this symptom should still be reported to your doctor.
Rectal bleeding is a symptom that can occur from many gastrointestinal disorders.
External hemorrhoids are one of the two types of hemorrhoids, and usually, these hemorrhoids do not produce blood.
External hemorrhoids are small rubbery bumps located around the anal opening and cause pain, itching, and discomfort, though are not known to bleed unless they become thrombosed, meaning a blood clot can form inside of them.
Blood clots can burst and result in bleeding, but this is rare.
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How To Get Rid Of External Hemorrhoids Fast
This article was medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS and by wikiHow staff writer, Jessica Gibson. Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 208,634 times.
Hemorrhoids can happen to anyone at any age. These uncomfortable enlarged veins can be found inside or externally around the anus. Hemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure on your pelvic and rectal veins, usually linked to constipation, diarrhea, or straining to pass a stool. In some cases, hemorrhoids can be caused by obesity, lifting heavy objects, or from the strain of pregnancy which applies pressure to the veins of the lower abdomen. Fortunately, external hemorrhoids can usually be taken care of without seeing a doctor. There are several things you can do to help relieve the pain, discomfort, and itching of hemorrhoids.
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Hemorrhoids: Diagnosis And Treatment Options
TIMOTHY MOTT, MD, Naval Hospital Pensacola, Pensacola, Florida
KELLY LATIMER, MD, MPH, U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella, Catania, Italy
CHAD EDWARDS, MD, Hamilton Medical Center, Dalton, Georgia
Am Fam Physician. 2018 Feb 1 97:172-179.
Hemorrhoids develop when the venous drainage of the anus is altered, causing the venous plexus and connecting tissue to dilate, creating an outgrowth of anal mucosa from the rectal wall. However, the exact pathophysiology is unknown. Hemorrhoids occur above or below the dentate line where the proximal columnar transitions to the distal squamous epithelium . The anus is approximately 4 cm long in adults, with the dentate line located roughly at the midpoint.2 Hemorrhoids developing above the dentate line are internal. They are painless because they are viscerally innervated. External hemorrhoids develop below the dentate line and can become painful when swollen. The extent of prolapse of internal hemorrhoids can be graded on a scale from I to IV, which guides effective treatment . This grading system is incomplete, however, because it focuses exclusively on the extent of prolapse and does not consider other clinical factors, such as size and number of hemorrhoids, amount of pain and bleeding, and patient comorbidities and preferences.3
SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Increasing fiber intake is an effective first-line, non-surgical treatment for hemorrhoids.
FIGURE 1.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Thrombosed Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the region of your bottom which can occur internally or externally. They can happen to anyone but are also fairly common during pregnancy – affecting around 35% of expectant mothers, particularly during the third trimester.
In the later stages of pregnancy, as your body prepares to deliver your new bundle of joy, the pregnancy hormone, progesterone, causes the walls of your blood vessels relax and swell up. On top of that, as your baby grows and your uterus becomes more enlarged, its increasing weight can put pressure on the surrounding areas, including your bottom, causing haemorrhoids.
Although they can be unpleasant, piles are not generally harmful to you or your baby and can be treated quite quickly.
Other common causes of haemorrhoids which may also affect you during pregnancy are over-straining during a bowel movement or when delivering the baby, constipation, and a low fibre diet.
You may find that your tastes and diet changes during pregnancy but its worth keeping in mind that eating enough fibre helps to keep stools soft, which keeps things moving through the digestive system. A low fibre diet can result in harder stools that are difficult to pass and even constipation, which in turn can lead to haemorrhoids.
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What Causes External Hemorrhoids
The most common cause of external hemorrhoids is repeated straining while having a bowel movement. Hemorrhoids develop when the veins of the rectum or anus become dilated or enlarged and can be either internal or external. External hemorrhoids are usually found beneath the skin that surrounds the anus.
There is a range of symptoms that can affect a person with hemorrhoids. Symptoms tend to vary depending on the severity of your hemorrhoids. Some of the symptoms that you may have include the following:
- itching around the anus or rectal area
- pain around the anus
- blood in the stool
You may notice bleeding when using the bathroom. This includes seeing blood on toilet paper or in the toilet. Lumps around the anus may feel as if they are swollen.
These symptoms may also occur because of other conditions. But if you experience these symptoms, you should schedule an exam with your doctor.
What Are The Common Symptoms Of Hemorrhoids In Pregnancy
The common symptoms of hemorrhoids during pregnancy are as follows-
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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.
Causes And Risk Factors Of Hemorrhoids
You may be more likely to get hemorrhoids if other family members, like your parents, had them.
Pressure building up in your lower rectum can affect blood flow and make the veins there swell. That may happen from:
- Pushing during bowel movements
- Anal sex
People who stand or sit for long stretches of time are at greater risk, too.
You may get them when you have constipation or diarrhea that doesnt clear up. Coughing, sneezing, and vomiting could make them worse.
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Hemorrhoid Types And Symptoms
These swollen tissues appear in the rectal area and can vary from the size of a pea to that of a grape. There are internal hemorrhoids , as well as external hemorrhoids .
Hemorrhoids may simply feel itchy, but they also can be painful. In some cases, particularly following a bowel movement, they can cause rectal bleeding. If you had hemorrhoids before you were pregnant, there’s a good chance they’ll come back post-delivery.
How To Prevent Hemorrhoids
The veins outside the anus or inside the rectum tend to stretch under pressure and may swell or bulge. The swelling, mild pain and inflammation accompanying hemorrhoids could improve with simple home remedies but there are times when people need medical procedures.
Prevent hemorrhoids by keeping your stools soft so they are easier to pass. Reduce symptoms of hemorrhoids by following these tips:
Eat high-fiber foods.
Getting more fiber can help prevent hemorrhoids. Add more whole grains, fruits, legumes, and vegetables to your diet but do it gradually until you reach 20 to 35 grams of fiber per day. As you increase the fiber in your diet, remember to also increase your water intake and other liquids, such as clear soups and fruit juices. Water can improve digestion and help the fiber in your diet work more efficiently. If you don’t increase your water intake, you might suffer from constipation which could cause you to develop hemorrhoids.
Also check your prenatal vitamins, as sometimes the iron in your supplements can cause constipation. Find out the best prenatal vitamins here.
Use a step stool.When you elevate your feet while sitting on the toilet, you change the position of the rectum and this helps for easier passage of stools.
Wipe your butt with moist towelettes rather than dry toilet paper.Wet wipes can clean the rectal area without causing irritation. It would be best to use fragrance-free wipes with soothing ingredients such as aloe vera or witch hazel.
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Should I Go To The Doctor If I Think I Have Hemorrhoids
If you suspect you have hemorrhoids, mention it at your next ob/gyn or midwife appointment. Dont be embarrassedtheyve seen this many times. Its crucial to raise the issue if youve seen blood, says Zaltz, because there can be other, more serious causes of bleeding. Want to know sooner? Grab a mirror. If theyre the external kind, youll be able to see them around the opening of your anus. Internal hemorrhoids should be looked at by a doctor. Treat the symptoms Though hemorrhoids cant be cured, the symptoms can be treated until the hemorrhoids go away on their own. Brenshaws case appeared seven months into her pregnancy, and she was told to manage her symptoms until after delivery. For most women, thats the case. They probably wont completely disappear until after the baby is born, warns Zaltz.
If youre still struggling with discomfort once youve increased your fibre and water intake, Ottawa-based pharmacist Shelita Dattani suggests talking to your doctor about using an over-the-counter hemorrhoid product containing pramoxine, which relieves pain. Soaking in a bath with witch hazel or Epsom salts will ease discomfort. An OTC stool softener may also help.
Discussing hemorrhoids isnt funso even if the topic doesnt come up in your prenatal class, know that a few of the women in the group are probably struggling too. Its not a subject people openly talk about, says Brenshaw. They probably prefer to talk about their kids poops, not their own.
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
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Getting Restful Sleep Without Triggering Hemorrhoid Pain
Depending on your preferred sleeping position, your hemorrhoid pain can make it difficult for you to get a good nights rest. In addition to clean cotton underwear and loose-fitting pajamas, we recommend you sleep on your stomach to reduce anal pain and place a pillow under your hips to prevent yourself from rolling over onto your back.
A full-body sitz bath right before bed may also ease discomfort, help you feel more relaxed, and make it easier for you to fall asleep. In addition, reading or listening to soothing music may take your mind off your hemorrhoids and your discomfort, which may help you get to sleep faster.
What Are The Symptoms
The most common symptoms of both internal and external hemorrhoids include:
- Bleeding during bowel movements. You might see streaks of bright red blood on toilet paper after you strain to have a bowel movement.
- Itching.
- Rectal pain. It may be painful to clean the anal area.
Internal hemorrhoids
With internal hemorrhoids, you may see bright red streaks of blood on toilet paper or bright red blood in the toilet bowl after you have a normal bowel movement. You may see blood on the surface of the stool.
Internal hemorrhoids often are small, swollen veins in the wall of the anal canal. But they can be large, sagging veins that bulge out of the anus all the time. They can be painful if they bulge out and are squeezed by the anal muscles. They may be very painful if the blood supply to the hemorrhoid is cut off. If hemorrhoids bulge out, you also may see mucus on the toilet paper or stool.
External hemorrhoids
External hemorrhoids can get irritated and clot under the skin, causing a hard painful lump. This is called a thrombosed, or clotted, hemorrhoid.
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Treating Hemorrhoids While Pregnant
While there are few ways to treat hemorrhoids during pregnancy, below mentioned are some of the treatments you can try to treat hemorrhoids in pregnancy.