Many sufferers don't like to talk about this topic because they feel embarrassed. Yet problems with haemorrhoids are common - regardless of pregnancy and childbirth. According to estimates, around 50 per cent of all women and men over the age of 30 are affected by such complaints. The proportion of men is as high as 70 per cent.
Women who are expecting or have given birth are particularly frequently affected: Around one in two pregnant women can tell you a thing or two about it. And around one in three mothers still suffer from haemorrhoids after giving birth.
What are haemorrhoids?
Between the exit of the rectum and the anal sphincter, every person has the so-called haemorridal plexus. These ring-shaped vascular cushions consist of a network of arteries and veins and are therefore supplied with blood. Because the vascular cushions work like a cavernous body, they prevent the involuntary loss of faeces when swollen in conjunction with the sphincter muscle. In other words, they ensure bowel continence. When the nerve signal "time to defecate" arrives in the brain and the person goes to the toilet, the blood flows out of the haemorrhoids. This causes the haemorrhoids to swell and allows the bowel to empty. The blood then flows back again and the vascular cushions swell up again.
If the blood in the vascular cushions can no longer drain "according to plan" or if it accumulates, the haemorrhoids become enlarged. This enlargement can be similar to varicose veins or even nodular. The haemorrhoids can bulge outwards and become visible. Inflammation or minor injuries to the vessels can also be the result.
To determine how severe a haemorrhoidal prolapse is, there is a classification into four degrees of severity.
What causes haemorrhoids?
The main cause of haemorrhoids is a lot of straining during bowel movements, which in most cases is caused by (persistent) constipation. Constipation, in turn, is often the result of a lack of exercise, an unbalanced diet and obesity.
Heavy pushing during childbirth can also cause haemorrhoids. It is therefore possible for women who have come through pregnancy without any problems to "catch" haemorrhoids during childbirth.
Weak blood vessel walls also play a decisive role in the development of haemorrhoids. Mothers who have already had two or more births are very often affected.
During pregnancy, the pregnancy hormones make the connective tissue, pelvic floor and blood vessels softer and more elastic in preparation for the birth. In addition, the child and the uterus exert pressure on the pelvic floor. Pelvic floor and the blood vessels, causing congestion in the vessels in the anal area.
How do haemorrhoids make themselves felt?
One indication is blood on the toilet paper after the "big business". However, itching and oozing in the anal area also indicate haemorrhoids. Pain during bowel movements or when sitting are also possible indicators. Some sufferers also complain of the feeling that the bowel is not emptied properly.
During and especially after pregnancy, haemorrhoids are also noticeable as small soft lumps that can be seen and felt in the anus. These can also appear months after the birth.
Overall, however, the chances are very good that haemorrhoids will disappear again if they are cared for and treated at an early stage. You can read more about this below.
How can haemorrhoids be treated?
How effectively you can treat haemorrhoids yourself also depends on their severity. If the symptoms do not improve after around two weeks of self-treatment, it is essential that you consult a doctor. The right place to go is your gynaecologist's practice or a proctology practice (specialist practice for rectal diseases).
If you experience severe pain or discomfort, seek medical advice straight away. The haemorrhoids may be sclerosed at the doctor's surgery.
You can do the following to treat haemorrhoids yourself:
In case of complaints: A suitable over-the-counter cream can provide relief, for example with the Witch hazel active ingredient. Alternatively Suppository available. There are also prescription ointments containing cortisone.
Sitz baths with additives such as Camomile, Arnica, Hamamelis or Oak bark can alleviate haemorrhoid problems.
During a bowel movement: On the toilet, it is very important to have a bowel movement not to pressto avoid additional pressure. So just take your time "on the throne". A round back during bowel movements also relieves pressure on the pelvic floor and haemorrhoids. Many sufferers also find a stool in front of the toilet bowl on which to place their feet helpful and relieving. This also protects the pelvic floor.
Hygiene: In addition, careful but gentle hygiene after a bowel movement helps. Lukewarm water and a (soft) flannel are sufficient for this. Then dab your anus dry with soft toilet paper. If you have a bidet, this is of course ideal for wet cleaning after a bowel movement. But also a Butt shower provides good service.
Avoid using soap or similar cleansing products in any case, as they irritate the skin even more. If you want to use moist toilet paper - perhaps when travelling - you should also be careful, as it can also irritate the anal region. It is better to avoid this or use Special wet wipesdeveloped for haemorrhoids.
Nutrition: In addition to all treatment measures, it is also essential that you adapt your eating habits and exercise routines. You can also prevent haemorrhoids with a high-fibre diet, sufficient fluid intake and moderate exercise.
What can be done to prevent it?
There is no guarantee that haemorrhoids can be avoided. Nevertheless, there are a few things you can do to prevent them from developing. As you have already read, pressure on the toilet is a decisive factor that favours the development of haemorrhoids. It is therefore important to ensure smooth bowel movements in order to prevent constipation or a sluggish bowel. This includes
High fibre diet: A balanced diet is particularly important during pregnancy. You can read more about this on my blog here read. A lot of fibre on your plate is important for healthy intestinal flora and lively intestinal activity. This plant-based fibre is mainly found in pulses, potatoes, vegetables, fruit (except bananas), oatmeal, nuts and mushrooms. When it comes to pasta, rice or bread, opt for the wholemeal varieties.
Sufficient fluids: Drink at least 1.5 litres of fluid throughout the day. It's best to drink water. For a better overview of how much you have drunk, I recommend having a bottle or carafe of water ready. It should be empty by the evening.
Regular exercise: As the baby bump grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to move or exercise. However, even moderate exercise is enough to get or keep the bowels moving. This can also be "just" a walk.
If you have to sit a lot at work: use a haemorrhoid seat cushion to help you and take short breaks in between for some exercise.
Train the pelvic floor: A strong Pelvic floor also prevents haemorrhoids. Your midwife knows the right exercises that she can show you. Of course you can also visit me in my online consultation or contact me at my Postnatal gymnastics participate. In this course, we focus on the pelvic floor.
And a word about iron tablets: Pregnant women are often prescribed iron tablets to cover the increased iron requirement during pregnancy. However, iron capsules often have an effect on digestion: They unfortunately promote constipation - which in turn encourages haemorrhoids. Newer preparations, which only dissolve in the duodenum, have a different composition and no longer impair intestinal activity. For many pregnant women and women who have recently given birth, iron tablets are not even necessary. A healthy diet and a Iron juice are usually sufficient to achieve a good Hb value.
