Hemorrhoids are always very uncomfortable, especially hemorrhoids during pregnancy. They appear out of nowhere and can make life more complicated for pregnant women during this beautiful stage of life. But did you know that hemorrhoids in pregnancy appear not only because of pregnancy itself?
What is a Hemorrhoid?
Hemorrhoids are actually enlarged veins in the anus that develop like varicose veins1. The veins in the anus become enlarged, swollen and can cause significant burning or itching! They usually appear during the second trimester, when blood circulation is increased. Hemorrhoids in pregnancy can appear for two reasons:
- Genetic predisposition
- Lack of proper hydration
The genetic predisposition to hemorrhoids in pregnancy can cause them to appear even before the second trimester, all due to the increased blood flow throughout the body. People who already had a tendency to have hemorrhoids in pregnancy are at higher risk.
Explanatory Video
Another factor that contributes to hemorrhoids appearing during pregnancy is insufficient fluid intake. Lack of hydration during this stage can cause stools to become hard, and then hemorrhoids can appear more easily due to pressure exerted on the anus when trying to pass stools.
Constipation is not uncommon in pregnancy2, but pregnant women should always remember that episodes of hard stools can lead to the appearance of hemorrhoids during pregnancy. The symptoms of hemorrhoids are basically two: bothersome itching in the anal area and also pain when you feel the urge to have a bowel movement or even bleeding during a bowel movement. These cuts, where hemorrhoid blood comes out, are called fissures and can cause burning and further swelling in the affected area.
How to Prevent Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy?
Hemorrhoids in pregnancy are preventable. Some care strategies must be taken so that they don’t appear and disrupt your relationship with your body during pregnancy – and sometimes persist even after pregnancy ends. Pregnancy brings enough changes as it is! So, how about helping yourself not to have hemorrhoids during pregnancy, or at least reduce and prevent discomfort? Follow these tips:
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Drink around 2.5 liters of fluid throughout the day, preferably water. Try to drink between meals.
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Eat fiber regularly! A good plate of salad can provide more fiber than you might think. Foods like leafy greens and cereals such as oats, and seeds like chia, can help bowel movements. Fruits like plums, kiwi, grapes, and papaya help keep the bowels less sluggish.
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Exercise also makes a difference to your bowel function. Even a simple walk can help prevent hemorrhoids in pregnancy because it aids digestion and intestinal transit.
How to Treat Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
Treating hemorrhoids during pregnancy after they appear can be delicate, as they can become painful and bleed easily at this time3. The first thing to do is speak to your doctor and ask for a good medication suitable for the anal area.
Hemorrhoid creams must be prescribed by a doctor and never use any medication without advice from your obstetrician. There are excellent options on the market that act quickly, as well as suppositories that can also help relieve symptoms.
Never scratch the area; this is also essential to avoid worsening the hemorrhoids during pregnancy. Although it may sometimes seem impossible not to be bothered by itching and burning, a good bath or a sitz bath can make a big difference to hemorrhoid symptoms during pregnancy.
Some Care Tips and Recommendations
Avoid sitting for too long and putting pressure on the anal area, as this also helps a lot. Too much walking can also cause more pain in the area. When cleaning, be gentle and avoid using dry toilet paper, as this can make things worse. Ideally, rinse with water after a bowel movement or use wet wipes, which make daily hygiene easier and can be taken in your bag wherever you go.
Author’s Note:
I had hemorrhoids during pregnancy in my last pregnancy. In particular, I hardly drank any fluids due to nausea and those dreaded hemorrhoids made themselves known. Toward the end of pregnancy, I felt a very uncomfortable burning sensation that only eased after treatment and more careful hygiene.
I used creams prescribed by my doctor, which helped a lot and relieved the symptoms, but the hemorrhoids lingered for a while even after pregnancy. After giving birth, I started managing my diet and following a treatment that made them disappear completely. Ideally, you should treat before they appear, so you don’t have to suffer with this discomfort during pregnancy.
