Treating hemorrhoids – What helps?
There are various treatment methods for hemorrhoids during pregnancy. Common to all of them is a conservative approach. Surgical procedures are generally not common during pregnancy and are only used in exceptional situations.
In principle, haemorrhoids require treatment if they cause symptoms or are in an advanced stage. In the early stages, hemorrhoids can be treated very well with conservative methods. The focus is on eliminating triggering or promoting factors.
During pregnancy, increased abdominal pressure and constipation are factors that promote hemorrhoids. These are the points at which treatment can be started. Unfortunately, a genetic predisposition to hemorrhoids cannot be influenced.
During pregnancy, women should therefore pay particular attention to a diet rich in fiber and drink a sufficient amount of water to avoid constipation. Furthermore, it is also advisable to pay attention to body weight in order to reduce the pressure in the abdominal cavity. This does not mean, however, that excessive diets are sensible.
Rather, one should focus on a healthy diet and regular exercise in the form of light activities such as yoga or walks. An average weight gain of 11 kilograms during pregnancy is normal and absolutely desirable. Ointments and suppositories with anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing ingredients are used to alleviate the symptoms.
You can obtain these from your pharmacist on prescription. Also herbal, over-the-counter ointments and suppositories – usually with hammamelis extract – are very well suited to alleviate the symptoms of pregnancy. After the birth, hemorrhoids partly regress.
Therefore one should be patient and evaluate the final condition only about 3 months after birth. If the hemorrhoids do not show any tendency to regress, surgical procedures are advisable. In the advanced stages, hemorrhoids are treated surgically.
However, surgery is rarely necessary during pregnancy. As a rule, birth is awaited. Since haemorrhoids often regress or at least improve somewhat in the so-called postpartum period – the time after birth – a wait-and-see attitude is very sensible.
Only in exceptional cases is surgery performed during pregnancy. Such an exception are heavy bleeding or a prolapse of the anus (anal prolapse). However, these complications are very rare.
In this case, surgical hemostasis and removal of the hemorrhoids must be performed. The preferred surgical procedure is the so-called open hemorrhoidectomy according to Milligan-Morgan. Frequently, hemorrhoids do not require drug therapy or surgery.
If the symptoms are not very pronounced and the findings are only minor, sitz baths can help to improve the symptoms. A recommended measure is for example a chamomile hip bath.To do this, pour about a handful of chamomile into one liter of water and perform a sitz bath for about 15 minutes after sieving the chamomile. However, the sitz bath should only be regarded as a supporting measure.
It cannot lead to a regression of the hemorrhoids and can therefore only be used in combination with causal therapy. Various creams and ointments are available for the treatment of hemorrhoids during pregnancy, which can be applied with the aid of applicators. A distinction is made between non-prescription and prescription creams, which must be prescribed by a doctor.
During pregnancy, creams are a very good way to alleviate the symptoms of hemorrhoidal suffering. Medically prescribed creams contain either cortisones or local anesthetics. Creams containing cortisone inhibit the inflammation of the hemorrhoids and relieve the swelling.
They may only be used for a few days and are also suitable during pregnancy. Creams containing local anaesthetics – usually lidocaine – anaesthetize the haemorrhoids superficially and thus relieve the pain. These creams should also not be used for more than 3 to 4 days.
If the application time is observed, however, they are also very well tolerated during pregnancy. Over-the-counter creams usually contain herbal ingredients that are said to help against the swelling, itching and pain. They are also a good supporting treatment option during pregnancy.
However, since the ingredients vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer, the use of over-the-counter creams should be clarified in advance with your own gynecologist. In this way you can be sure that they are also suitable during pregnancy. Herbal creams often contain hammamelis extract or aloe barbadensins.
The treatment of hemorrhoids in the early stages – even during pregnancy – is conservative. This means that no surgical procedures are used. Drugs play an important role.
However, they are only suitable for symptomatic therapy and do not eliminate the cause of the hemorrhoids. The medications are often available in the form of ointments or suppositories, which have either an anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving effect and thus alleviate the symptoms. The family doctor can prescribe a light cortisone ointment, which is well suited to reduce the swelling of inflamed hemorrhoids.
Cortisone ointments may also be used during pregnancy as long as their application period is limited. They are usually only recommended for a few days. There are also ointments that contain a light local anesthetic.
These relieve the pain in the area of the hemorrhoids. During pregnancy the local anaesthetic lidocaine may be used in the form of an ointment. This medication should also be used for only a few days. There are also over-the-counter creams and ointments that contain herbal ingredients. For your own safety, you should consult your gynaecologist or pharmacist regarding compatibility during pregnancy.
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