Piles During Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Table of content

• Causes of Piles During Pregnancy

• Symptoms of Piles During Pregnancy

• What are the treatments for piles during pregnancy?

• Do piles go away after pregnancy?

• Home remedies for Piles During Pregnancy

• How can you prevent Piles during pregnancy?

• Take-home points

• FAQ on Piles During Pregnancy

Introduction

Having piles is usually frowned upon but nothing is disgusting or unusual about it. They are almost a common occurrence in 50% of the population and specifically affect almost 30% of pregnant women. So, we need to be more open in discussing this common disease that affects our lifestyle. In this article, we have discussed the common causes, symptoms and treatment for piles during pregnancy. 

Piles, which are also known as haemorrhoids are extremely painful all the time. They usually occur as inflamed and painful anal tissue hanging out the anus. But their probabilities of occurrence are usually high during pregnancies, especially in the third trimester. Here, you would know about the causes, symptoms and treatment for pregnancy haemorrhoids. 

Causes of Piles During Pregnancy

The causes of piles during pregnancy are given below, 

• Increased blood supply to the abdomen for fetal growth leads to larger veins around the anal area. 

• Pressure on the veins near the anal area or rectum due to the growing fetus or uterus. 

• Change of the hormones during different stages of pregnancy. 

• Constipation during pregnancy due to the intake of iron and other nutrient supplements. 

Symptoms of Piles During Pregnancy

Here are the symptoms you can notice when you are suffering from piles during pregnancy, 

• aching, itching or swelling around the anus.

• high mucous discharge when passing the stool followed by sharp pain.

• a lump hanging around your anus that needs to be pushed back after passing the stool. 

• bleeding after passing the stool. 

What are the treatments for piles during pregnancy?

There are several medical treatments for piles depending upon their severity,

• For mild infections, doctors may prescribe OTC supplements that can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. 

• For moderate miles, you may apply ointments that contain hydrocortisone-pramoxine or laxatives that can ease constipation. 

• If the piles get severe, several higher levels are recommended like, 

Rubber band ligation

The rubber band is wound around the piles causing them to fall off and then forming scar tissue. This usually takes 10-12 days but the haemorrhoids wouldn't return after this treatment. 

Sclerotherapy

The inflamed tissue is directly injected with a chemical solution causing it to shrink and form scar tissue after healing. 

Hemorrhoidectomy

This involves the surgical removal of the haemorrhoidal tissue by administering anaesthesia. This is only recommended for a few as it carries the risks of damaging anal tissues. 

Stapled hemorrhoidopexy

Here the hanging piles are pushed in and stapled to hold them in place. 

Do piles go away after pregnancy?

Yes! Almost in many cases. Your haemorrhoids may completely go away after the pregnancy as the hormone levels, abdominal pressure and blood pressure become normal after childbirth. 

Home remedies for Piles During Pregnancy

In addition to the medical treatments, here are some of the easy home remedies for piles that can ease your pain, 

• Do not sit too long which puts undue pressure on your anal area. 

• Gently massage the inflamed area with ice packs several times a day. 

• Take Epsom salt baths in lukewarm water. 

• Have regular workouts especially kergel exercises to strengthen the anal muscles. 

How can you prevent Piles during pregnancy?

Here are some of the ways which can help you in preventing piles during pregnancy, 

• Have foods that are high in fibre like fruits, vegetables and wholemeal bread as they would ease constipation. 

• Work out your body regularly to increase circulation. 

• Avoid standing for long periods.

• Avoid straining to pass your stool, and let it go naturally. 

• After passing the stool, clean yourself with moist toilet paper instead of dry ones. 

Take-home points

• Piles during pregnancy are very common so don't need to fret about it. 

• There are many home remedies available for piles but you can try medical treatments as well. 

• In most cases, the piles may completely go away after childbirth. 

References 

• Haemorrhoids in Pregnancy 

• Complications of piles during pregnancy

• Prevention of piles during pregnancy