Vaginal Hemorrhoids When Pregnant
Vaginal hemorrhoids are not very common and it’s a common belief that these don’t even occur. Check out the section on hemorrhoids during pregnancy for more info on treating hemorrhoids during pregnancy.
Simply put, hemorrhoids are varicose veins that get swollen when under stress, usually caused by a bowel movement. During pregnancy, this same condition can occur and it can be caused by the strain of carrying the baby or by bowel movements, too.
Hemorrhoids in pregnant women can be detected by an itchy or burning sensation in the vagina or rectum. These will make her feel uncomfortable.
Some of the blood flow to the rectum and lower pelvis can be blocked due to increased blood flow to the vagina as a result of the swollen veins caused by pregnancy.
At any rate, this condition can be painful for women having this problem. Two main reasons why hemorrhoids happen during pregnancy:
- Veins that bring blood back from the lower body are pressured by the uterus. Swelling in the lower body occurs and even gravity itself worsens the condition. That’s why pregnant women can’t stand around for too long or they may form hemorrhoids.
- The combination of the baby’s weight plus constipation during pregnancy create pressure on the veins in the vagina. The result of this is hard bowel movements and protruding veins in the vagina or anus.
To avoid hemorrhoids from happening, doctors recommend to keep the body regulated to have easy bowel movements. To avoid constipation, it’s good to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. To aid in keeping things moving smoothly, drink plenty of water.
Vaginal Hemorrhoids Treatment
Most of the effective treatments for vaginal hemorrhoids are the same treatments for any other type of hemorrhoid condition:
Sitz Baths – If you are able to get in a tub, then taking a warm bath will work like magic to help relieve pain. If you are not able to get in the tub, there are plastic tubs that are placed on top of a toilet to help ease the discomfort caused by hemorrhoids. Pharmacies should be able to provide these plastic tubs.
Pads of witch hazel – Hazel-containing pads will work well for hemorrhoids. One such brand is Tucks. These will help sooth the hemorrhoids and will aid in drying them.
In the event that you should have vaginal hemorrhoids, it’s recommended to consult your doctor before you try any kind of treatment for your vagina. The doctor might be able to give you a prescription or recommend some over the counter medicine.