Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are truly troublesome. You must be cautious about medication and deal with various discomforts while carrying a large belly—a challenging journey even alone. If this issue compounds your struggles, it will inevitably affect your mood. What can be done? Let's explore below.
Why hemorrhoids commonly affect pregnant women:
1. Uterine pressure.The enlarged uterus during pregnancy compresses the pelvic cavity. Combined with the naturally elevated venous pressure and loosened blood vessels in pregnant women, this slows blood return from the lower body to the heart. Consequently, veins near the anus become compressed, swollen, and enlarged.The body's rising levels of progesterone also play a role. This hormone causes a sharp decline in the elasticity of veins, making them highly susceptible to dilation. 3. Constipation. Pregnant women often experience poor gastrointestinal function and constipation. Straining during bowel movements increases pressure on the veins near the anus, further aggravating hemorrhoids.
4. Pre-existing condition. If you had hemorrhoids before pregnancy, the likelihood of recurrence increases during pregnancy, and symptoms may become more severe.
Symptoms of hemorrhoids in expectant mothers:
1. Anal itching: Mild itching and pain around the anal opening, accompanied by swelling and occasional burning sensations.
2. Soft, Swollen Lumps: For external hemorrhoids, expectant mothers may feel soft, swollen flesh-colored lumps near the anus, often accompanied by pain. Internal hemorrhoids, located inside the body, range in size from a pea to a grape. They cannot be felt externally and typically cause no noticeable discomfort.
3. Blood in Stool: Straining during bowel movements may reveal streaks of blood in the toilet bowl, on toilet paper, or in stool. Repeated bleeding without timely treatment can lead to anemia, causing pale complexion, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
How to Relieve Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
1.Ice Packs for Swelling Relief
After developing hemorrhoids, the buttocks may feel prickly or painful. For treatment, we recommend pregnant women purchase an ice pack from the supermarket and freeze it. Apply the ice pack to the affected area regularly each day. This cold compress not only alleviates the prickly pain caused by hemorrhoids but also reduces swelling.Furthermore, ice pack therapy is a physical treatment that delivers noticeable results in the short term, and expectant mothers need not worry about adverse effects on fetal health.
2. Topical Medications
It's widely known that medication use is strongly discouraged during pregnancy. Drugs carry potential side effects, and their impact on pregnant women remains unpredictable. Therefore, we generally advise against taking oral medications.However, if hemorrhoids are severe, we recommend opting for topical ointments. If uncertain, consult a doctor for an examination. Based on your physical condition and symptoms, the doctor will select an appropriate topical treatment.
3. Warm Water Therapy
After developing hemorrhoids, sitting becomes the most dreaded activity for pregnant women.Sitting often causes noticeable pain. Fortunately, there are several methods to alleviate discomfort, such as warm water therapy. The primary approach involves filling a clean plastic basin with warm water and immersing the buttocks in it. This feels quite soothing, especially in winter when the warm water also provides a warming effect.Crucially, the warm water helps alleviate hemorrhoid pain. This pain-relief method is simple, economical, and practical. Pregnant women experiencing this discomfort may find it helpful to try.The buttocks are prone to bacterial growth, so thorough cleansing is essential. Additionally, opt for unscented, unbleached toilet paper for cleaning. With the wide variety of toilet paper available today, scented or perfumed options can irritate the skin and potentially cause allergic reactions. Therefore, using clean, unscented, and unbleached paper is the most suitable choice when dealing with hemorrhoids.
5. Treating with Ointments and Suppositories
When using ointments or suppositories, prioritize medication safety by consulting your doctor. Avoid products containing steroids or musk.
6. Daily Exercise Routine
Regular pelvic floor muscle exercises improve blood circulation in the pelvic region.For example, perform Kegel exercises: keep thighs together, contract the anus while inhaling, and relax while exhaling. Repeat this sequence 3 times daily, 30 repetitions each time, to strengthen pelvic floor muscles, facilitate bowel movements, and prevent hemorrhoids.