Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentPreventionWhen to Seek CareFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Prevention
When to Seek Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Hemorrhoidsoccur when vascular tissue in the anus or rectum becomes swollen and irritated. Hemorrhoids can be internal (inside the anus or lower rectum) or external (under the skin around the anus). They are not usually serious, but they can cause itching, pain, and bleeding.
Hemorrhoids affect up to 40% of pregnant people. Typically, symptoms are managed during pregnancy, and the hemorrhoids often clear up after delivery.
Read on to learn why hemorrhoids are common in pregnancy and how to treat them.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
Symptoms of Hemorrhoids in Pregnancy
Symptoms of hemorrhoids depend on their location. They are usually most noticeable in the third trimester.
External Hemorrhoids in Pregnancy
External hemorrhoids are located under the skin around the anus. Symptoms can include:
While cleaning the area is important, rubbing or excessive cleaning can make symptoms of external hemorrhoids worse.
Symptoms from minor external hemorrhoids tend to ease within a few days.
External hemorrhoids, and less often internal hemorrhoids, can become thrombosed. Athrombosed hemorrhoidoccurs when ablood clotforms inside the hemorrhoid. This blocks blood flow, causing a sudden and severe swelling. The swelling is painful and often causes a lump that may be bluish in color.
Thrombosed hemorrhoids tend not to respond well to topical treatment, but the pain and swelling usually peak at 48 hours and resolve after four days.
Internal Hemorrhoids in Pregnancy
Internal hemorrhoids are located inside the anus.
The main symptom of internal hemorrhoids isbright-red bloodon the stool (typically coating the outside), on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement. It is usually a small amount of blood, but can look like more when mixed with toilet water.
Minor internal hemorrhoids are usually painless, but ones that are prolapsed may be painful or uncomfortable. Aprolapsed hemorrhoidis when the hemorrhoid comes down through the anal opening.
Other Possible Symptoms of HemorrhoidsOther symptoms of hemorrhoids may include:Soilage (poop “accidents”) or mucous dischargeHygiene difficultiesA feeling of incomplete evacuation
Other Possible Symptoms of Hemorrhoids
Other symptoms of hemorrhoids may include:Soilage (poop “accidents”) or mucous dischargeHygiene difficultiesA feeling of incomplete evacuation
Other symptoms of hemorrhoids may include:
Causes of Hemorrhoids in Pregnancy
Pregnancyincreases the chancesof developing hemorrhoids for a number of reasons, including:
Having a vaginal birth can also contribute to hemorrhoids due to straining during labor and delivery.
Pregnancy Hemorrhoid Treatment
Usually, hemorrhoids that occur during pregnancy gradually resolve after giving birth. Treatment during pregnancy typically focuses on symptom relief rather than cure.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Treatments
Fiber supplementsandstool softenersare generally safe for pregnant people and can help with constipating and straining during a bowel movement.
Topical(on the skin) and oral medications lack strong evidence of safety and efficacy in pregnancy, but a short course of topical medications may be recommended under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
Home Treatments
Home remediesare the most common treatment for hemorrhoids during pregnancy.
Things you can try to relieve hemorrhoid symptoms include:
Medical Procedures
While removal of hemorrhoids is rare, removal of a thrombosis is more common.
Thromboses are commonly removed in-office using local anesthetic, and are considered low risk to the pregnant person and fetus.Typically, patients requiring this procedure are referred to a specialist, such as a colorectal or general surgeon, to perform.
Never attempt these procedures yourself.
Surgery
Surgery during pregnancy and in the immediate postpartum period is uncommon and used only if the hemorrhoids are severe and other treatments have not worked.Surgery is a last resort as it can be painful, and the risks versus benefits need to be weighed carefully.
Surgery for hemorrhoidsis usually done as an outpatient procedure in the hospital underanesthesia.Surgical options include:
Tips for Managing Pregnancy Hemorrhoids
To help manage hemorrhoids during pregnancy:
Ways to prevent the development or worsening of hemorrhoids are similar to the measures used to treat them, including:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
See your healthcare provider if:
Seek medical help right away if:
Summary
Hemorrhoids are common during pregnancy. They are usually minor and resolve after birth. They can cause pain or itching in the anal area or rectal bleeding.
A Word From Verywell
If you are experiencing hemorrhoids during pregnancy, don’t worry. They are common and will most likely resolve on their own after you give birth. If your hemorrhoids are causing you concern or discomfort, speak with your healthcare provider about treatment options.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHemorrhoids are generally most noticeable in the third trimester. They tend to get worse right after delivery, then gradually get better during the postpartum period.External hemorrhoids look like swollen lumps under the skin around the anus. They may be bluish in color. Internal hemorrhoids aren’t seen on the outside unless they prolapse (slip down and out of the anus).
Hemorrhoids are generally most noticeable in the third trimester. They tend to get worse right after delivery, then gradually get better during the postpartum period.
External hemorrhoids look like swollen lumps under the skin around the anus. They may be bluish in color. Internal hemorrhoids aren’t seen on the outside unless they prolapse (slip down and out of the anus).
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Body changes and discomforts.Hollingshead JRF, Phillips RKS.Haemorrhoids: modern diagnosis and treatment.Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2016;92(1083):4-8. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2015-133328Sanchez C, Chinn BT.Hemorrhoids.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2011;24(1):5-13. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1272818National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of hemorrhoids.National Health Service.Piles in pregnancy.Kestřánek J.Hemorrhoid management in women: the role of tribenoside + lidocaine.Drugs in Context. 2019;8:1-7. doi:10.7573/dic.212602Lohsiriwat V.Treatment of hemorrhoids: A coloproctologist’s view.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(31):9245-9252. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i31.9245American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.What can I do for hemorrhoids during pregnancy?.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of hemorrhoids.Higuero T, Abramowitz L, Castinel A, et al.Guidelines for the treatment of hemorrhoids (short report).Journal of Visceral Surgery. 2016;153(3):213-218. doi:10.1016/j.jviscsurg.2016.03.004MedlinePlus.Hemorrhoids.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Body changes and discomforts.Hollingshead JRF, Phillips RKS.Haemorrhoids: modern diagnosis and treatment.Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2016;92(1083):4-8. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2015-133328Sanchez C, Chinn BT.Hemorrhoids.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2011;24(1):5-13. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1272818National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of hemorrhoids.National Health Service.Piles in pregnancy.Kestřánek J.Hemorrhoid management in women: the role of tribenoside + lidocaine.Drugs in Context. 2019;8:1-7. doi:10.7573/dic.212602Lohsiriwat V.Treatment of hemorrhoids: A coloproctologist’s view.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(31):9245-9252. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i31.9245American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.What can I do for hemorrhoids during pregnancy?.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of hemorrhoids.Higuero T, Abramowitz L, Castinel A, et al.Guidelines for the treatment of hemorrhoids (short report).Journal of Visceral Surgery. 2016;153(3):213-218. doi:10.1016/j.jviscsurg.2016.03.004MedlinePlus.Hemorrhoids.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Body changes and discomforts.Hollingshead JRF, Phillips RKS.Haemorrhoids: modern diagnosis and treatment.Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2016;92(1083):4-8. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2015-133328Sanchez C, Chinn BT.Hemorrhoids.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2011;24(1):5-13. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1272818National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of hemorrhoids.National Health Service.Piles in pregnancy.Kestřánek J.Hemorrhoid management in women: the role of tribenoside + lidocaine.Drugs in Context. 2019;8:1-7. doi:10.7573/dic.212602Lohsiriwat V.Treatment of hemorrhoids: A coloproctologist’s view.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(31):9245-9252. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i31.9245American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.What can I do for hemorrhoids during pregnancy?.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of hemorrhoids.Higuero T, Abramowitz L, Castinel A, et al.Guidelines for the treatment of hemorrhoids (short report).Journal of Visceral Surgery. 2016;153(3):213-218. doi:10.1016/j.jviscsurg.2016.03.004MedlinePlus.Hemorrhoids.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.Body changes and discomforts.
Hollingshead JRF, Phillips RKS.Haemorrhoids: modern diagnosis and treatment.Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2016;92(1083):4-8. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2015-133328
Sanchez C, Chinn BT.Hemorrhoids.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2011;24(1):5-13. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1272818
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of hemorrhoids.
National Health Service.Piles in pregnancy.
Kestřánek J.Hemorrhoid management in women: the role of tribenoside + lidocaine.Drugs in Context. 2019;8:1-7. doi:10.7573/dic.212602
Lohsiriwat V.Treatment of hemorrhoids: A coloproctologist’s view.World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(31):9245-9252. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i31.9245
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.What can I do for hemorrhoids during pregnancy?.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of hemorrhoids.
Higuero T, Abramowitz L, Castinel A, et al.Guidelines for the treatment of hemorrhoids (short report).Journal of Visceral Surgery. 2016;153(3):213-218. doi:10.1016/j.jviscsurg.2016.03.004
MedlinePlus.Hemorrhoids.
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