According to statistics, every third woman goes to the doctor with the problem of hemorrhoids during pregnancy. Contrary to popular belief, an ailment is not a normal physiological process during the bearing of a child. This is a disease that requires a comprehensive therapeutic approach, otherwise serious consequences can not be avoided. Information on how to treat hemorrhoids during pregnancy should be provided by a doctor. Only he can adequately assess the feasibility of prescribing a particular drug.
The mechanism of development and features of the disease
Hemorrhoids are a widespread vascular pathology that affects both women and men. In many pregnant women, the ailment is diagnosed for the first time, since the period of bearing a child serves as a provoking factor for the development of the disease.
In each person, the anal canal is surrounded by cavernous plexuses, through which veins and arteries pass. These hemorrhoidal formations are necessary in order to regulate the blood supply process in the anus. This ensures the normal functioning of the rectum: feces are firmly held in it, and the immune barrier between the environment and the body is also maintained.
Under the influence of various factors, an inflammatory process may develop or a blockage of blood vessels may occur. A natural result is a decrease in their tone. Under the pressure of the blood, the walls of the vessels of the rectum also relax, as a result of which the formation of hemorrhoidal nodes occurs. During the defecation process, the mucous membrane that injures them is injured, as a result of which bleeding and pronounced pain occur.
Depending on the nature of the location of the nodes, hemorrhoids are divided into 2 types:
- Interior. Formations are not visualized during an external examination. The nodes are located above the anus and can be detected by a doctor only with a finger examination.
- Outer. With this form of the disease, the lesions are localized behind the anus. They are under a thin layer of skin, but the patient can easily feel the nodes in the anus. They are uneven in size and painful on palpation.
If hemorrhoids occurred during pregnancy for the first time, it is customary to talk about the acute nature of the pathology. If untreated, the disease becomes chronic. In such cases, episodes of exacerbation are replaced by periods of remission.
There are several stages of hemorrhoids, each of which requires a certain treatment:
- First one. The nodes are located deep above the anal ring.
- The second one. When straining during the act of defecation, the formations fall out, but after it is completed, they are set inward on their own.
- The third. The nodes drop out, but the patient has to set them with his hands.
- Fourth. At this stage, surgery is often performed. This is due to the fact that the nodes are constantly in a fallen state and it is impossible to set them on their own, while there is a threat of crushing of the formations.
The treatment of hemorrhoids during pregnancy must be started immediately after the onset of the first alarming symptoms. Ignoring the disease can significantly worsen the well-being of a woman and adversely affect the health of the child.
Causes
Hemorrhoids in women during pregnancy are a consequence of blood vessels overflow, which occurs as a result of increased load on the pelvic organs.
The following conditions are also triggering factors:
- constipation due to changes in the digestive process;
- forced inactivity, disrupting the outflow of blood from the lower body;
- abuse of salty or spicy foods;
- overweight;
- long-term use of hormonal contraceptives before pregnancy (such drugs adversely affect the state of the walls of blood vessels);
- hormonal imbalance;
- Lifting objects whose weight exceeds the permissible 5 kg.
In addition, hemorrhoids during pregnancy (especially in the 3rd trimester) can occur due to the pressure of the baby's head on the rectum.
Symptoms
The development of the disease is slow. Each stage corresponds to certain signs. In this regard, any woman is able to assess the severity of the existing pathology. But this does not exclude the need to visit a doctor, since during pregnancy hemorrhoids can be confused with other diseases, including cancer.
At the 1st stage, a woman feels:
- mild discomfort during urination;
- pain in the anus during a bowel movement.
Sometimes a small amount of blood can be found in the feces.
Stage 2 is characterized by the following symptoms:
- itching in the anus;
- unusual discharge from the anus;
- periodic loss of nodes that are set independently.
In most cases, women seek medical help at the first stages of the development of the disease. Otherwise, the pathology progresses and passes into external hemorrhoids. During pregnancy, this form of the disease significantly worsens well-being and can affect the intrauterine development of the child.
The following symptoms are characteristic of the last stages:
- pronounced pain;
- loss of nodes that are not adjusted independently;
- heavy bleeding from the anus;
- increased body temperature (occurs in response to the development of the inflammatory process).
In addition, the nature of the course of hemorrhoids during pregnancy (photo below) can be acute and chronic. In the first case, the pathology appears suddenly, its symptoms are pronounced. In the chronic form of the disease, seizures are quickly stopped by medicines, but under the influence of triggering factors, they reappear.
Timely treatment of hemorrhoids during pregnancy in a short time does not only alleviate the condition of a woman, but also reduces the risk of various complications. Thus, the doctor must be consulted when the first symptoms of the disease appear: burning, itching, pain, blood in the stool and nodules that fall out during straining during bowel movements.
Diagnostics
To confirm or exclude the alleged diagnosis, you need to make an appointment with a proctologist. The doctor will prescribe a series of studies, according to the results of which it will become clear at what stage the disease is developing. He will also provide information on how to treat hemorrhoids during pregnancy.
In the process of admission, the proctologist conducts an initial diagnosis, including a survey of the patient and its examination. The presence of hemorrhoids is indicated by the inflamed mucous membrane of the anus, which has a red tint. In addition, a capillary pattern is visualized on it. During the study, sagging hemorrhoidal nodes are also detected . Their presence allows us to differentiate the disease from oncological pathologies.
To detect nodes located above the anus, the doctor conducts a digital examination. It is carried out as follows: the patient lies on the couch, occupies the position recommended by the specialist. Then he puts on medical gloves and treats the index finger with petroleum jelly. After that, he slowly inserts it into the rectum and evaluates the condition of its walls, reveals the internal nodes, analyzes their size and the nature of the location.
According to the results of the initial diagnosis, the doctor draws up a referral to the following laboratory tests:
- Blood analysis. It is necessary to confirm anemia, which is a constant companion of hemorrhoids during pregnancy.
- Coprogram. With the help of research, it is possible to detect an inflammatory process that develops in the intestine.
- Feces for occult blood. In many cases, it is not visible to the naked eye. An analysis is performed to detect bleeding in the intestines.
Very rarely, during pregnancy, doctors prescribe a sigmoidoscopy. Using this method, it is possible to detect any pathological changes in the rectum at an early stage. The essence of the method is as follows: a proctologist lubricates a special tube with petroleum jelly and carefully inserts it into the anus by about 5 cm. After visual inspection with an optical eyepiece, the device is removed, which indicates the completion of the process. If polyps, pus, mucus or blood are found, the doctor removes them during the study.
Based on the results of the diagnosis, the doctor draws up the most effective treatment regimen.
Conservative therapy
When choosing a technique, the specialist takes into account not only the severity of the disease, but also that the prescribed procedures or medications should not negatively affect the course of pregnancy.
The main methods of conservative treatment are:
- stool normalization;
- hygiene procedures;
- the use of medications.
Specialized remedies for hemorrhoids during pregnancy are prescribed only if the disease is at stages 2, 3 or 4. At the very beginning of its development, it is enough for a woman to adjust her diet and regularly carry out hygiene procedures.
To normalize the stool, the following rules must be observed:
- Exclude fatty, fried and spicy dishes from the menu.
- Significantly limit the use of flour products.
- Refuse sugary drinks and coffee. Compote, green tea and freshly squeezed juices are recommended.
- The menu should contain cereals and vegetable dishes daily.
- Increase consumption of berries and fruits.
- Include fermented milk products in the diet.
- Maintain water balance. In the absence of contraindications, it is necessary to drink at least 1.5 liters of pure non-carbonated liquid.
In order to prevent the attachment of a secondary infection, it is necessary to wash the anus with warm water using soap after each act of defecation. With the external form of hemorrhoids, this should be done as carefully as possible. After each bowel movement, it is advisable to use napkins intended for intimate hygiene, as ordinary toilet paper is very stiff for external nodes. Any baths using medicinal herbs are prohibited.
In addition, you need to take care of the quality of the underwear. It should be made of cotton and not squeeze the skin. The right choice of linen not only provides comfort, but also prevents the further spread of infection.
To eliminate symptoms that significantly worsen the quality of life, at the 2nd, 3rd and 4th stages of the disease, the doctor prescribes medications in the form of tablets and external agents. In most cases, preference is given to medicines in the form of gels, ointments, creams or suppositories.
As a rule, the doctor prescribes the following drugs:
- Strengthening blood vessels. Against the background of their intake, lymph outflow is normalized and the permeability of the walls of veins and capillaries increases. Due to this, the development of the inflammatory process stops.
- Vitamins Appointed in the complex. Reception of these substances significantly improves the general condition of the body, and therefore, the well-being of a pregnant woman. Vitamins also help strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
- Microclysters. They are of two types: medicinal and laxatives. In the first case, their use eliminates inflammation, in the second - there is a softening of feces in the intestine and enveloping of the mucous membrane, which ensures comfort during bowel movements.
- Laxatives Their appointment is advisable only if the pregnant woman regularly experiences difficulty in emptying the intestines. The composition of the drug should be dominated by natural components.
- Rectal suppositories and ointments. Their task is to eliminate pain and relieve inflammation.
Currently, many means are approved for use during pregnancy. Nevertheless, the adequacy of the appointment of a drug should be assessed exclusively by the attending physician. This is due to the fact that some medications have substances in their composition, the action of which can lead to miscarriage or premature birth.
Rectal ointments and suppositories are a group of drugs prescribed most often during the period of gestation. As a rule, the doctor recommends using the following tools:
- "Hepatrombin." This drug relieves pain, stops bleeding and reduces the severity of the inflammatory process.
- "Heparin ointment." During pregnancy with hemorrhoids it has an anti-inflammatory effect, relieves pain in a short time. In addition, the tool helps to eliminate blood clots in the vessels. For hemorrhoids during pregnancy, “Heparin ointment” is used both externally and applied to a tampon, which is then inserted into the anus.
- "Proctoglivenol." The tool normalizes vascular tone, reduces the permeability of veins and capillaries, stops the inflammatory process and relieves pain.
- Natalsid. The main component of the drug is brown algae, which not only improve the course of the disease, but also soften the stool. Judging by the reviews, hemorrhoids during pregnancy recede in a short time, and the problem of constant constipation is also solved.
- "Relief." Suppositories accelerate the healing of the mucosa, soften it and eliminate inflammation.
The scheme of using creams and ointments from hemorrhoids during pregnancy should also be made by the attending physician, since he does this taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient’s health.
Surgical intervention
As a rule, an operation to remove nodes is performed after delivery. In emergency situations (bleeding, pinching), surgical intervention is indicated by methods, the use of which is permissible during pregnancy.
These include:
- Rectoanal lifting. The essence of the method is to tighten the nodes with special threads.
- Hemorrhoidectomy. During the operation, hemorrhoidal formations are removed with a laser scalpel.
- Ligation is the pulling of nodes that die within a few days and fall off on their own.
- Photocoagulation. The essence of the method is as follows: with the help of infrared equipment, the nodes are heated, due to which the process of their dying starts.
Surgical intervention during pregnancy is sought in rare cases, since hemorrhoids are not a contraindication to natural childbirth.
Alternative methods of treatment
Non-traditional methods are allowed to eliminate unpleasant symptoms. In this case, it is important to understand that alternative methods of treating hemorrhoids during pregnancy at home should be previously agreed with the doctor.
The most effective recipes:
- Applications with sea buckthorn oil. Their use reduces the severity of the inflammatory process and promotes the healing of the mucosa.
- Finely grate beets and carrots, mix them in a 1: 1 ratio and wrap in gauze. Apply a compress for at least 1 hour.
- Prepare a decoction of bark or berries of viburnum. Regular use of it helps to get rid of pain and stops bleeding. In this case, fresh berries during pregnancy are undesirable.
- Grind the berries of mountain ash and apply to the affected area in the form of a compress. The resulting slurry stops bleeding and fights against germs.
If an allergic reaction occurs, self-medication should be stopped by alternative methods.
Effects
Hemorrhoids - a disease whose treatment can not be postponed to the postpartum period. This is due to the fact that a pregnant woman gradually worsens her health, which cannot but affect the intrauterine development of the child. In addition, ignoring the problem significantly increases the risk of a secondary infection joining the existing inflammatory process, which is dangerous for the baby.
Anemia is also one of the serious consequences of hemorrhoids during pregnancy. What to do to avoid this? At the first signs of pathology, you need to contact a proctologist. Timely medical care will help to avoid infections, anemia and its associated hypoxia.
Prevention
Based on numerous reviews, hemorrhoids during pregnancy are not a sentence. It is quite easy to treat, but doctors recommend that certain preventive measures be taken, since the disease negatively affects the well-being of a pregnant woman.
In order to prevent the development of pathology, you need:
- Constantly maintain normal bowel function. Adjusting your diet in accordance with the principles of a healthy diet helps get rid of constipation.
- Keep track of body weight.
- Do not lift heavy objects.
- Every day to perform simple gymnastic exercises. This is necessary to get rid of congestion in the pelvic organs.
- Abandon long walks.
Compliance with these recommendations significantly reduces the risk of disease.
Finally
Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are not uncommon, but contrary to popular belief, they need to be treated. Otherwise, serious complications cannot be avoided. When the first alarming signs appear, you need to contact a proctologist who will make the most appropriate treatment regimen.