Causes of Hemorrhoids in Women During Pregnancy

Hemorrhoids are a condition that affects people of all ages and unfortunately this also includes women that are pregnant. As if you do not have enough to deal with when you are pregnant, hemorrhoids are an unwelcome addition to the multitude of issues you face during pregnancy.

Hemorrhoids occur when tiny sacs of blood in the anal canal become swollen and irritated when pressure is applied to the affected area. This is also known as internal hemorrhoids and is generally not painful however you will notice the presence of the condition after passing a stool. Internal hemorrhoids are identified by blood in your stool, in the toilet water, and on the toilet paper, and you may experience minor discomfort such as anal itching.

The other type of hemorrhoids is known as external hemorrhoids which form on the outside of the anal opening and can become quite painful and uncomfortable during pregnancy. Both internal and external hemorrhoids can become prolapsed or thrombosed which is the result of a blood clot that forms inside the hemorrhoid tissue. Regardless of whether your hemorrhoids are internal or external they are not a nice experience during pregnancy.

Hemorrhoids in Women During Pregnancy

Unfortunately hemorrhoids are quite common in women during pregnancy. There are several factors that cause hemorrhoids in women during pregnancy some of which include:

• Expanding Uterus

As the fetus grows during pregnancy your uterus expands which places additional pressure of the pelvic veins and the inferior vena cava which is a large vein that carries blood from the lower extremities. The pressure from the uterus cause the blood flow from the lower extremities to slow down which increases the pressure on the veins below the uterus and causes them to become swollen and irritated. The end result is often the development of a hemorrhoid condition.



• Progesterone

Pregnancy causes the hormone progesterone to increase which relaxes the wall of the anal veins. When the anal veins relax they are prone to swell more easily which results in hemorrhoids. If you pass a hard stool during a bowel movement it does not take much for the anal vein to rupture which causes bleeding hemorrhoids.



• Second Stage of Labor

Hemorrhoids can develop during delivery as the result of pushing during childbirth. When pressure is applied to anal veins during childbirth it can cause hemorrhoids to develop. They will often go away on their own after pregnancy with the application of a few home treatments.



• Constipation

Constipation is common during pregnancy and it increases straining during bowel movements which is one of the main causes of hemorrhoids in women during pregnancy.



• Diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea can irritate an existing hemorrhoid condition or cause one to develop. If you are experiencing bouts with diarrhea during pregnancy it is important to make an extra effort to keep the anal area clean to prevent anal itching and discomfort that will exacerbate the hemorrhoids.



• Sitting for Prolonged Periods of Time

Sitting for extended periods of time during pregnancy can add unwanted pressure to the anal area which can cause hemorrhoids to develop or an existing hemorrhoid condition to become worse.

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