Hemorrhoids in Pregnancy

It has been estimated that 25% to 35% of pregnant women are affected by Hemorrhoids. In certain populations, up to 85% of pregnancies are affected by hemorrhoids in the third trimester.

Hemorrhoids occur when the external hemorrhoidal veins become varicose (enlarged and swollen), which causes itching, burning, painful swellings at the anus, dyschezia (painful bowel movements), and bleeding. Pain with bowel movements and bleeding are often the first signs of hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids Treatment

Most forms of the condition can be successfully treated by increasing fiber content in the diet, administering stool softeners, increasing liquid intake, anti-hemorrhoidal analgesics.

A recent systematic review of both published and unpublished randomized controlled trials, which included the enrollment of more than 350 patients, showed that laxatives in the form of fiber had a beneficial effect in the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids

More aggressive therapies, such as sclerotherapy, cryotherapy, or surgery, are reserved for patients who have persistent symptoms after 1 month of conservative therapy .

Although most pregnant women experience improvement or complete resolution of their symptoms with the conservative measures mentioned above, some women will need medications. Oral treatment with ruto-sides, hidrosmine, Centella asiatica, disodium flavodate, French maritime pine bark extract, or grape seed extract can decrease capillary fragility and reduce symptoms improving the microcirculation in venous insufficiency However, evidence of their safety in pregnancy is not yet conclusive.


5 Tips If you are feeling constipated and you have Hemorrhoids


1. Do Kegel exercises 50 to 100 times a day to improve the blood flow to the area.

2. Keep your feet elevated, rest on your side whenever possible, and try not to sit, especially for long periods.

3. Try gently pushing the hemorrhoid back in. Depending upon their size and degree of engorgement, try lubricating a finger and pushing the hemorrhoid back in after every trip to the bathroom. If it remains outside, it can become strangulated and hurt more. Tighten your perineal muscles after you do this, stand up and hold them in.

4. Try a sitz bath. Warm water soaks and compresses are very comforting. Add any of these oils to your bath: cypress, frankincense, thyme, geranium, chamomile or melissa.

5. Apply ice cold witch hazel cream. This can be very soothing.