Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy | What Causes Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy?
What causes hemorrhoids during pregnancy is a common question posed by expectant mothers. Firstly, let us take a look at what are hemorrhoids?
What Are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are simply blood vessels that have become swollen, similar to varicose veins, in the rectal area. The degree of severity of the hemorrhoids condition will range from simply an itching sensation to much more painful conditions.
A bad dose of hemorhoids can cause rectal bleeding, particularly when going to the toilet.
Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are quite common because the pressure on your pelvic veins caused by the growing uterus can lead to hemorrhoids. This pressure can also be the cause of hemorrhoids in your inferior vena cava which is a large vein that receives blood from your lower body.
Pressure on your vena cava can prevent the smooth flow of blood back from your lower body which results in increased pressure on the veins below your uterus thereby causing them to become swollen.
Constipation as a cause of hemorrhoids
Constipation is also one of the most common causes of hemorrhoids because of the straining when constipated; this causes and aggravates hemorrhoids and constipation is common amongst pregnant women.
Furthermore the increase in progesterone you will experience during pregnancy causes the walls of your veins to relax which might cause them to be more prone to swelling. Progesterone can also cause constipation as it slows down the workings of your intestinal tract which in turn leads to constipation.
Relief of Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
1. Consult your doctor
2. Use plain, not colored, toilet tissue in the affected area after bowel movements
3. Use an ice pack in the affected area a few times a day which should help reduce the swelling
4. Take a sitz bath; a sitz bath is a small plastic container that you can sit in to soothe the affected area.
In summary hemorrhoids during pregnancy are very common and are nothing to be too concerned about. There are many hemorrhoid relief products on the market but always consult your doctor first.
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Filed under Causes of Hemorrhoids, Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy by Terry
