Understanding Piles in Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

The problem of piles occurs due to swelling in the lower part of the anus or rectum. In this, the lump in the rectum can be small or big. There are mainly two types of piles during pregnancy. Of these, one is called internal piles and the other is called external piles. External piles occur at the anus. This causes itching and pain. Besides, sometimes blood also starts appearing in the stool. Unless a clot forms, it does not require treatment. Whereas in internal piles, piles form in the rectum. It does not cause pain, but it causes itching and bleeding.

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Women may suffer from piles during pregnancy due to many reasons. This problem can occur during pregnancy due to enlargement of the uterus, constipation and sudden increase in progesterone levels. Sometimes varicose veins in legs and vaginal problems also become possibilities of piles. Let us tell you that piles occurring during pregnancy get cured soon after the birth of the child. Especially piles caused due to constipation get cured soon.

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During pregnancy, the veins in the lower back of women get enlarged due to swelling. During pregnancy, hormones relax your nerves, which can also cause piles. The symptoms of piles during pregnancy are described as follows -

• Swelling, itching, burning and pain around the anus.
• Pain while passing stool followed by discharge of sticky substance.
• There may be a lump outside the anus. Many times, after passing stool, there is a need to put the lump inside.
• Bleeding after defecation. 

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Hemorrhoids can occur due to the physical changes that occur during pregnancy. Come, let us know below what are the reasons for piles during pregnancy.

Enlargement Of The Uterus
During pregnancy, along with the growth of the baby in the womb, the uterus also starts increasing, its direct pressure falls on the pelvic veins and lower organs. Due to this pressure, blood flow in the lower part of the woman's body reduces. Due to reduced blood flow, there is pressure on the veins below the uterus, due to which swelling starts. It can be simply said that the problem of piles occurs due to reduced blood flow in the veins due to excess pressure on the rectum.

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 Constipation 
Constipation is also a reason for piles during pregnancy. When bowel movement gets obstructed due to constipation, symptoms of piles start forming in the body. Apart from this, obstruction in the intestinal process leads to pressure in the rectum.

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 Excess of progesterone hormone
Due to excess of progesterone hormone, the nerves get relaxed, but this causes swelling. Pregnant women also start suffering from constipation due to progesterone hormone.

(Read more - Pelvic pain during pregnancy )

 Having Ever Had Piles In The Past
Women who have had the problem of piles before, their chances of developing piles during pregnancy increases significantly. Piles are a common problem in the first trimester or second stage of pregnancy. Not only this, many women have to face this kind of problem even after delivery.

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If a woman has piles during pregnancy, it does not have any effect on the child growing in her womb. This is a common problem during pregnancy. This problem gets cured on its own after the birth of the child. If your problem of piles persists for a long time or it causes problems to you, then you can talk to your doctor about it.

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Piles during pregnancy is a common problem, which resolves automatically after the birth of the child. This problem cannot be prevented, but still you can get relief to a great extent by removing its causes. The following measures are suggested for prevention and relief from this problem.

• During pregnancy, you should include more fiber rich things in your diet. So that your intestinal processes remain fine and you get relief from constipation. Drink at least 10 to 12 glasses of water a day. So that there is no dryness in your intestines. 
• Drinking a certain amount of water will keep the process of stool formation in the stomach normal and there will be no shortage of water in your body. Exercise regularly. Apart from this, you should also go for a walk for some time. You should go to the toilet only when you feel the natural urge to defecate. Preventing unnecessary defecation can cause hard stools.
• When going to the toilet, do not apply too much force while defecating. This can also cause you many problems. 
• If you face difficulty while defecating in the toilet, then apply light pressure on the part between the vagina and anus (perineum) with the help of fingers. This activates the internal muscles and helps you pass stools.
• Avoid standing and sitting for long periods of time. Standing or sitting for a long time puts pressure on the lower abdomen.

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Many types of medicines are used to treat piles during pregnancy. With the help of these medicines you get relief from pain and irritation. You should consult your doctor before taking any kind of medicines at this time. If you feel continuous pain due to piles during pregnancy, then you can choose the following non-surgical treatment-

• Bipolar coagulation is a treatment method used to reduce blood flow to internal hemorrhoids.
• Tying the affected area of piles with rubber is also a method of its treatment. Due to this the blood flow stops.
• By injecting chemicals, the lumps formed in piles dry up and fall off.
• Hemorrhoids are treated by shining infrared light on the affected area.  

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In case of piles during pregnancy, you can try the following home remedies.

• Applying cold water towel or any cloth on the anus reduces the pain and burning sensation of piles.
• After defecation, clean the anus thoroughly and wipe or clean it with light hands; rubbing too fast can increase the pain.
• Sitting in lukewarm water also gives you relief from the burning sensation and pain of piles. Bathing with hot water gives you relief. This improves blood flow in the body. 
• Many skin problems can be cured with baking soda. In this problem too, you can get relief from itching by using a little baking soda.
• In this problem, women should sit in a big air filled ball for some time. But one should avoid doing this remedy regularly, because it can reduce the blood circulation in the lower part of women. 

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Hemorrhoids are a common problem during pregnancy, which is usually caused by increased pressure of the uterus and hormonal changes. Some important measures can be adopted to deal with this problem. First, increase your intake of a fiber-rich diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, to avoid constipation, which can aggravate hemorrhoids. Apart from this, it is also necessary to drink an adequate amount of water, due to which the stool remains soft and there is no need to strain. Regular light exercise, such as walking, helps improve digestion. Taking a sitz bath of hot water can also be beneficial to get relief from piles. Avoid standing or sitting for excessive periods of time and, if necessary, consult a doctor, who can recommend safe and effective treatments. With these simple measures, the pain and discomfort of piles during pregnancy can be reduced to a great extent.