Pregnant women are especially susceptible to not just pregnancy hemorrhoids, but varicose veins as well. Most people do not realize that hemorrhoids are also varicose veins, which are located in the rectum as opposed to the legs. When asked how long they have had hemorrhoids, the majority of our female patients will tell us that the condition started after the birth of their child. Why is this? There are several reasons. As your baby grows, additional pressure is put on the pelvic veins and the veins that receive blood from the legs and feet. This can slow the return of blood from the lower half of your body, which will increase the pressure on the veins below the level of your uterus and cause them to become more dilated or swollen. Since hemorrhoidal veins are below the level of the uterus, this can cause pregnancy hemorrhoids.
Constipation, another common side effect during pregnancy, may also cause hemorrhoids or make them worse. That’s because straining leads to hemorrhoids, and you tend to strain when having a hard bowel movement. In addition, an increase in the hormone progesterone during pregnancy causes the walls of your veins to relax, allowing them to swell more easily, contributing to constipation.
Lastly is the actual childbirth itself. The two most common causes of pregnancy hemorrhoids are diet and prolonged straining. Most women agree that prolonged straining and giving birth go hand in hand. Straining will cause an increase in pressure inside the veins, which will cause the veins to swell. If the straining is momentary, the veins should return back to normal. If the straining is prolonged, the hemorrhoidal veins may not return to normal size, resulting in the condition known as hemorrhoids.