HEMORRHOIDS IN PREGNANCY

RELIEF MEASURES & NATURAL REMEDIES

            Hemorrhoids are varicose veins (enlarged blood vessels) that develop inside or just outside the anal area, and they are so common as to be considered normal, unless they cause symptoms that bother you (such as itching, pain and bleeding),  They are caused by a combination of increased pressure from the growing uterus on all the veins in the pelvic area, the hormones of pregnancy -- which increase blood volume and relax the vessel walls, allowing them to distend and become congested, an inherited tendency, the pressure of gravity from being overweight, constipation and straining to push out a bowel movement.  Here are some suggestions (please consult with your provider before beginning any treatments or following any advice):

-                     Avoid constipation by drinking 8-10 glasses of fluids (ideally water or herbal tea), eating lots of fiber rich fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, seeds and nuts, using herbal iron if you are anemic (instead of the constipating ferrous sulfate), and making sure that you are getting plenty of  aerobic exercise like brisk walking, dancing, swimming, or cycling (30 minutes, 5 times per day).  Please refer to the section on “Constipation.”

-                     Every day eat foods that nourish the circulatory system, such as raw garlic and parsley, onions, wheat germ, green leafy vegetables, buckwheat, oats, beets, and okra.

-                     Avoid long periods of sitting or standing, and rest on your side with your hips and legs elevated three times daily; and try inverted yoga postures several times a day to relieve pressure on your lower veins.

-                     Don’t sit on hard surfaces, instead use an inflatable tube seat or cushion.

-                     Make sure you are taking a good prenatal vitamin supplement, in addition, each day take  600 IU of vitamin E until the 7^th month, then taper to 400 IU, 500 mg of vitamin C,  25 mg. of vitamin B6 three times per day, and after the first trimester, Rutin tablets as directed, to repair stressed vessels in the bowel.

-                     Avoid strong spices such as cayenne, mustard, black pepper, hot sauces and curries, coffee (even decaffeinated), alcohol, smoking, and yellow or white sweet clover tea, as they can aggravate the problem.

-                     Avoid straining on the toilet, and the squatting position for prolonged periods, as it increases pressure in the area and encourages hemorrhoids.

-                     Drink at least one cup per day of strong tea containing Nettle leaf or Oakstraw, as these herbs are known to strengthen the vascular system.

-                     If you are interested in herbs, take standardized extract of Horsechestnut known as Venistat or Aescin and use as directed on the bottle; it can be taken orally (250 -312.5 mg. delayed release capsules 2 times per day or 100 mg. regular capsules per day, or 1 - 4 ml. three times daily in tincture form containing 16% - 21% Aescin, or 0.6 ml. of a 1:10 tincture), or topically (apply 1 - 2% gel to hemorrhoids several times per day.

-                     A local compress of the essential oils of Cypress, Frankincense, Lavender or Myrrh will be very soothing and healing, and these oils can also be added to your daily bath.

-                     Try ice packs, or warm sitz baths for 15 - 20 minutes, followed by 1 minute of a cool sitz bath 4 - 6 times per day; you can add the above mentioned essential oils or Epsom salts; if severe, make a warm sitz bath of one of the following herbs (add 4 ounces of Witch Hazel, dried Plaintain leaves, Comfrey root, White Oak bark or Sea Grape leaves or bark to a half  gallon of boiling water and steep for 8 hours); most hemorrhoids will shrink after a few days of frequent herbal sitz baths.

-                     For a natural home remedy, try applying wet or dry baking soda to relieve itching, lemon juice or vinegar to reduce swelling or bleeding, raw potato to ease swelling and pain; apply garlic oil to your hemorrhoids (made by crushing a few cloves in olive oil and letting sit at room temperature a few days – you can store it in the refrigerator) and try inserting a peeled clove of garlic into the rectum overnight to reduce swelling.

-                     If the hemorrhoids are inflamed and swollen, apply Witch Hazel compresses (known as Tucks in the pharmacy or Hamamelis as a homeopathic remedy in the health food store); you can wipe yourself with these compresses after a bowel movement instead of toilet paper, or moisten the toilet paper with liquid Witch Hazel; or try a compress of Comfrey, Yarrow or Mullein.

-                     Apply a homeopathic or herbal hemorrhoidal ointment or cream several times per day, as well as before bowel movements to ease their passage (homeopathic ointments containing Hamamelis, Aesculus, and/or Paeona are very helpful to shrink hemorrhoids and relieve symptoms; herbal ointments containing Comfrey or Yellow Dock root help reduce swelling, bleeding and pain; an herbal combination of Plaintain, Yarrow and/or Pilewort  ointments also relieve pain and shrink hemorrhoids quickly; apply pure (90 -100%) Aloe Vera gel, especially if the hemorrhoids are bleeding– at least one of these should be available in the health food store.

-                     Smear the hemorrhoids with cream or soapy water and try to gently push them back inside them back inside; then tighten your perineal muscles and practice Kegel exercises several times daily.

            Consider consulting a professional homeopath or acupuncturist skilled in traditional Chinese medicine, especially if none of the above suggestions help and your problem is chronic.

            Please call your provider if nothing helps, if you have severe pain, persistent bleeding or lumps, and before using any over-the-counter medication, as most drugs relieve symptoms without healing the problem and contain toxins like mercury or other substances that are not safe during pregnancy.