Got a Hemorrhoid During Pregnancy? Here Are Your Best Next Steps

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins around or in your anal area, and, unfortunately, they’re incredibly common during pregnancy. Studies tell us that up to 50% of pregnant women develop hemorrhoids at some point during their pregnancy. 

Pregnancy makes you especially vulnerable to hemorrhoids due to fluctuations in hormone levels, sitting for prolonged periods, constipation, and increased blood flow and pressure on your pelvis.

If you develop hemorrhoids while pregnant, they can make you incredibly uncomfortable on top of all those other unpleasant pregnancy symptoms. 

Led by gastroenterologist Ven Kottapalli, MD, CNSP, our team at GI Physicians, Inc. in Lima, Ohio, wants to offer some practical ways to get hemorrhoid relief during pregnancy in this month’s blog. 

Signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids during pregnancy

There are two different types of hemorrhoids: internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids are swollen veins inside your rectum and external hemorrhoids develop right outside your anus. The symptoms depend on the type of hemorrhoid you have. 

Internal hemorrhoids are often painless but can cause bleeding. However, an internal hemorrhoid can sometimes extend past your anal opening (prolapse). If this happens, it can become incredibly painful.

External hemorrhoids can be painful and itchy since the skin right outside your anus is very sensitive. In many cases, a blood clot can form on the inside of the external hemorrhoid. If a blood clot forms, it can cause extreme pain for the first 48 hours. 

How to get effective hemorrhoid relief

If hemorrhoids are causing you a lot of pain and discomfort, we recommend trying some of these conservative, at-home treatments:

• Add extra fiber to your diet for easier bowel movements
• Avoid sitting for long periods by walking around whenever you can
• Use gentle, flushable wipes after a bowel movement
• Soak your bottom in lukewarm water for 10 minutes a few times a day
• Apply an ice pack to the area throughout the day
• Drink lots of fluids and exercise to encourage more regular bowel movements

In addition to these treatments, our team at GI Physicians, Inc. can help you find some over-the-counter medications that are safe for you and your baby. These include laxatives, fiber supplements, stool softeners, and hemorrhoid creams. Never purchase or use anything without consulting our team first. 

If at-home methods or over-the-counter options aren’t effective, more aggressive treatments might be necessary. We often use rubber band ligation to remove stubborn and painful hemorrhoids. During this treatment, we place a band around the hemorrhoid to cut off blood flow. After several days, the hemorrhoid eventually withers and falls off. 

For effective hemorrhoid relief, look no further than GI Physicians, Inc. Schedule an appointment with our team today by calling our office or booking online.