Definition
The term "hemorrhoids" is used to indicate - albeit improperly - a disorder characterized by inflammation and excessive dilation of the hemorrhoidal veins. This excessive dilation of the veins causes soft and highly vascularized protuberances to form at the end of the rectum.
This disorder is particularly common in pregnant women.
Causes
The causes triggering hemorrhoids in pregnancy are manifold.
At the beginning of gestation, hormonal changes occur in the woman's organism that favor the hemorrhoid dilation and, moreover, the uterus increases in volume and goes to press on the anorectal veins. As the pregnancy proceeds, the veins become increasingly fragile due to the increase in blood volume and increased abdominal pressure. Furthermore, the closer one gets to the end of pregnancy, the more one tends to limit physical activity, a venous blood stagnation occurs. The combination of all these factors can therefore lead to inflammation of the veins and swelling of the hemorrhoids, thus favoring the development of the disorder.
Symptoms
In patients suffering from this disorder symptoms such as pain, burning, bleeding, swelling, itching, hemorrhoid leakage from the anal sphincter and anorectal heaviness may occur.
Furthermore - if not treated properly - hemorrhoids can lead to serious complications such as anal fissures and anemia.
Information on Hemorrhoids in Pregnancy - Drugs and Care is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Hemorrhoids in Pregnancy - Drugs and Care.
drugs
The drugs most used in the treatment of hemorrhoids are local anesthetics and corticosteroids. Generally, these drugs are found in combination within pharmaceutical formulations suitable for local administration.
However, in pregnant women - if possible - we always try to avoid using these medicines.
In milder cases of hemorrhoids, the pregnant woman is usually advised to make some simple changes in her lifestyle in an attempt to solve the problem without the help of drugs. More in detail, patients are advised to take plenty of fluids, to increase the amount of fiber taken through their diet (in order to facilitate evacuation) and to perform regular exercise to favor the return of venous blood to the heart and to stimulate regular intestinal motility.
Very important is also an accurate anal hygiene, to be maintained by regular washing with warm water and acid soaps.
In the case in which the use of a pharmacological treatment is however necessary, instead, the administration of anti-haemorrhoids for topical non-steroidal use can be considered.
Non-steroidal anti-haemorrhoids
If the behavioral measures mentioned above are not sufficient to solve the problem of hemorrhoids in pregnancy, non-steroidal anti-haemorrhoids can be used.
More in detail, we are talking about a particular compound: the cell extract of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (the same yeast that can be used for baking and for the production of wine and beer).
The cell extract of this yeast - known under the trade name of "Preparation H ®" - is available in pharmaceutical formulations suitable for rectal application (ointment and suppositories) with specific indications for the treatment of hemorrhoids, even in pregnancy.
When using the ointment, it is advisable to administer the product rectally via the special applicator two or three times a day, if possible, after each evacuation. In addition to the inside, the ointment should also be applied in the external area.
When suppositories are used, instead, it is advisable to use 2-3 of them per day, if possible, always after having evacuated.
Corticosteroids and local anesthetics
As mentioned, usually, we try to avoid the use of corticosteroids and local anesthetics for the treatment of hemorrhoids in pregnancy.
However, your doctor may decide to prescribe these drugs if you consider it absolutely necessary.
Among the various active ingredients that can be used, we recall:
- Fluocinolone (Proctolyn ®): for the treatment of hemorrhoids, fluocinolone is available in combination with ketocaine (a local anesthetic), in the form of a cream for rectal use and suppositories.
Its use during pregnancy can be carried out only after consulting the doctor who will have to make a careful evaluation of the relationship between the potential benefits expected for the mother and the potential risks the fetus may face.
