Sara Joseph Sara Joseph Asked 7 months ago

Are hemorrhoids common in pregnancy?

In my third trimester, I've developed hemorrhoids, which are quite painful. My friends told me it's common during pregnancy, but I'm feeling very uncomfortable and worried. Is this really a common problem for pregnant women?

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15 answers

Sunita Sharma Sunita Sharma Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago
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Yes, they are very common because of increased pressure and constipation during pregnancy. Eating a fiber-rich vegetarian diet with plenty of lentils, fruits, and green vegetables can help keep your digestion smooth.

Ananya Sen Ananya Sen Joined May 2026 5 months ago

They are quite common, but please don't try to self-treat them with over-the-counter creams. I had severe swelling and complications because I delayed showing it to my gynecologist, so please consult your doctor first.

K. R. Pillai K. R. Pillai Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago

My wife faced this during both her pregnancies, and our doctor reassured us it is a very common issue due to the baby's weight. Don't worry, they usually shrink and get much better after the delivery.

Pooja Trivedi Pooja Trivedi Joined Jan 2026 6 months ago

I had painful hemorrhoids when I was pregnant with my son. What really helped was taking regular warm sitz baths and making sure I never strained while using the washroom. Speak to your doctor for safe stool softeners.

Neha Gupta Neha Gupta Joined Jan 2026 6 months ago

Yes, they are very common and normal during this time. Please don't worry too much, just mention it to your doctor at your next checkup so they can help you feel more comfortable.

Rohan Deshmukh Rohan Deshmukh Joined Feb 2026 6 months ago

My older sister went through this recently when she was expecting. She was so embarrassed to talk about it, but her doctor said almost half of pregnant women get them. It's totally normal and nothing to feel weird about.

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Consult a gastroenterologist

Ishaan Malhotra Ishaan Malhotra Joined Mar 2026 6 months ago

Yes, they are super common due to progesterone slowing down your gut. I recommend tracking your daily water intake with a health app to ensure you are drinking at least 3 liters, which helps prevent the constipation that causes them.

Megha Kulkarni Megha Kulkarni Joined Feb 2026 6 months ago

I am newly pregnant and really scared of getting this. Do they always cause bleeding, or are there ways we can completely prevent them from happening in the first place?

Ritu Singhal Ritu Singhal Joined Jan 2026 6 months ago

Hemorrhoids affect a large percentage of pregnant women due to increased blood volume and pelvic pressure. While there are many home remedies, consulting your gynecologist is the best way to get safe and effective treatment options.

Sanya Kapoor Sanya Kapoor Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

Oh, I totally feel you, they are so uncomfortable and common during the third trimester! Try using wet wipes instead of dry toilet paper to avoid irritation, and keep your feet elevated on a small stool while using the toilet.

Priyanka Verma Priyanka Verma Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

I just delivered my baby last month and had terrible hemorrhoids during the last few weeks. They were very painful, but using a doctor-prescribed stool softener and avoiding sitting for long periods helped me recover quickly.

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Rati Saxena Rati Saxena Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Yes, they are very common. Drinking lots of water and eating daily fiber is the best way to keep them from getting worse.

Manju Devi Manju Devi Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago

Even though they are common, please do not ignore any rectal bleeding during pregnancy. It is always safest to get it checked by your doctor to ensure it is just simple hemorrhoids and nothing else.

Anitha Joseph Anitha Joseph Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

As a nurse, I see this complaint constantly from expecting mothers. The hormonal changes relax vein walls, making them prone to swelling. Try to avoid standing for too long and never ignore the urge to go to the washroom.

Shalini Nair Shalini Nair Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago

In my personal experience, I got them during my third trimester because of the pressure on the pelvic veins. Lying on my left side and using ice packs really helped relieve the swelling for me.

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