Vaginal hemorrhoids are not common and many people think that they do not exist. Usually this can happen and it is normally during pregnancy that this can happen. Visit our hemorrhoids during pregnancy page for more information on dealing with hemorrhoids when you are pregnant.

Hemorrhoids are varicose veins that get protracted during the stress of a bowel movement. In pregnancy this can happen when blood vessels get overly swollen due to some type of strain from carrying the baby or from bowel movements.

When a woman is pregnant she may experience hemorrhoids that will make her uncomfortable. She would notice this because of an itchy or burning sensation in the vagina or rectum.

Because pregnancy can produce veins that are swollen because of the increased blood volume in the vagina some of the blood flow can be blocked from the rectum and the lower pelvis. Another example is when Rectoceles happens (bulging of front wall of the rectum into the vagina) and obstructs the veins that go into the wall of the rectum.

In any case this can be somewhat painful for the women experiencing the problem. There are two reasons why hemorrhoids can happen in pregnancy:

• The uterus puts more pressure on veins that would normally bring back blood from the lower body and progesterone relaxes the vein walls. This creates a swelling in the lower half of the body and gravity adds to it. This creates the reason why a woman cannot stand for long periods and can cause the hemorrhoids.

• The abdomen creates more pressure on the veins in the vagina because of the combination of the weight of the baby and constipation during pregnancy. This can create a hard bowel movement and make the veins protrude in the vagina or the anus.

In most cases doctors recommend that you keep your body regulated so that you have easy bowel movements to avoid hemorrhoids from happening. To do this you must eat a good diet of fruits and vegetables that are geared to keep you from constipation. Also, drinking plenty of water when you are pregnant will help keep things moving easily.

Treatment for Vaginal Hemorrhoids

Some of the best treatments for vaginal hemorrhoids are the same as for any other type:

Sitz Bath – Sitting in your bathtub in warm water can do wonders for your hemorrhoids providing that you can get into a tub. If you cannot get down into your tub there are plastic tubs that fit into your toilet for the purpose of helping ease the discomfort from hemorrhoids. You can ask at the pharmacy.

Witch hazel pads – Pads that contain with hazel can be perfect for helping with hemorrhoids. One brand name is called Tucks. These pads are an astringent which means they will help sooth the hemorrhoids and dry them.

If you suspect you have vaginal hemorrhoids it is a good idea to check with your physician before trying any of the remedies suggested for your vagina. The doctor may have a prescription that would work better or they will know something over the counter.