It is impossible to think of a more unpleasant disease than hemorrhoids. Inconveniences are associated with walking, bowel movements, and it is impossible to sit quietly. Pregnant women have a hard time suffering from the disease. It’s not easy for a woman: bearing a child is a protracted process and involves changes in the female body. If hemorrhoids are added, the female sex is obliged to create comfortable conditions for themselves and the baby.
The first thing required is to contact a gynecologist who is monitoring the progress of the pregnancy. A visit to a proctologist is necessary - the doctor will select an effective, safe treatment for the pregnant woman. In medicine, suppository therapy for hemorrhoids is considered a safe method during pregnancy.
There are no special suppositories for pregnant women. Choose carefully from those presented on the shelves, reading the side effects and main contraindications. Suppositories should alleviate the condition of the pregnant woman and not harm the fetus.
Relevance of the problem for pregnant women
Carrying a child for any woman is a very serious test, sometimes accompanied by a variety of ailments or diseases. One of the common ailments is hemorrhoids during pregnancy. If it is too severe, then treatment is necessary, but the problem is the ban on most medications during pregnancy. Many pregnant women face this problem. According to statistics, hemorrhoids occur in approximately 50-80% of patients during pregnancy or immediately after childbirth.
Hemorrhoidal varicose veins occur in different ways in pregnant women - some practically do not notice it, while for others the symptoms occur with maximum intensity. Why do hemorrhoids appear during pregnancy? Experts say there are several quite natural reasons for this.
- Hereditary predisposition plays a certain role in the formation of hemorrhoids. If the patient’s mother or grandmother suffered from a similar illness, then the pregnant woman is unlikely to be able to avoid it.
- Hormonal reform also contributes to the development of hemorrhoids. The concentration of progesterone in the blood increases, and this hormone is known to relax the smooth muscle muscles present in the vascular and intestinal walls.
- Intensive fetal growth in the 2-3 trimester of gestation leads to increased pressure of the uterus on the intestinal canals. As a result, the vessels are compressed, the local blood supply is disrupted and pelvic hemorrhage occurs. All this also leads to the development of hemorrhoids.
- Decreased physical activity. Closer to delivery, the patient becomes overweight and clumsy, which is quite understandable. It moves less, which leads to venous insufficiency, in particular of the anorectal vessels, which becomes the cause of their varicose veins and the formation of nodes.
The inconstancy of pregnant women’s taste also has an insignificant effect, because in such a situation, mothers do not deny themselves the pleasure of eating salty or smoked, or spicy, which provokes increased blood supply to the pelvic vascular canals. As a result, blood stasis intensifies and hemorrhoidal cones form even more intensely.
pharmachologic effect
Heparin suppositories have an anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory pharmacological effect. Let's consider the mechanism of action of each of these effects.
Anticoagulant effect:
- Heparin binds with antithrombin III to form a complex. As a result, antithrombin is activated and blocks the transition of prothrombin to the active form, thrombin. It also inhibits prothrombinase.
- Heparin accumulates on the surface of the endothelium and platelets, creating huge concentrations. By doing this, it creates a negative charge on the surface of the endothelium and platelets, which prevents their aggregation and adhesion (the two main mechanisms of thrombus formation).
Anti-inflammatory effect:
- Inhibition of the production and activation of inflammatory mediators, such as histamine, kalikrein. Histamine causes swelling of the venous wall. Kalikrein is part of the kalikrein-kinin system involved in the production of bradykinin (the main mediator of pain).
Why suppositories are better than other dosage forms
Gestation is a contraindication for taking most medications. But in this case, suppositories save the situation from hemorrhoids during pregnancy. By giving preference to suppositories, patients have the opportunity to eliminate any possible risks typical of medications in tablet dosage form. The indication for prescribing suppositories for hemorrhoids during pregnancy is a combined or internal form of anorectal pathology.
You cannot self-medicate, it is very dangerous
The use of suppositories for hemorrhoids during pregnancy has undeniable advantages. Firstly, they start working quickly. The active components present in rectal suppositories have a therapeutic effect on the lesion directly, which makes it possible to relieve negative symptoms as quickly as possible.
Secondly, suppositories against hemorrhoids work locally. Their use involves the delivery of medicinal components directly to the affected tissues on the nodes, while bypassing the structures of the gastrointestinal tract, and, therefore, eliminating undesirable systemic effects on the pregnant body.
Moreover, suppositories for hemorrhoids eliminate the pathological process with minimal risk of side effects. Due to the local therapeutic effect, the likelihood of developing adverse consequences for the patient is minimal, which is extremely important when carrying a baby.
Treatment of hemorrhoidal cones with rectal suppositories is also a priority because such medications, as a rule, have a complex effect, and therefore the use of one medicine allows you to deal with several symptomatic concomitant hemorrhoidal problems at the same time.
The advantage of rectal suppositories is their absolute compatibility with any medications. If hemorrhoidal pathological processes occur in a severe form, there is a need for an integrated therapeutic approach. In such a case, the doctor usually prescribes a combined antihemorrhoidal treatment using suppositories and ointments, pills, etc.
But everything is not so perfect, because candles also have a significant drawback, which is their symptomatic effect. In other words, treatment with suppositories will not help get rid of hemorrhoids completely; such therapy only helps alleviate the condition by relieving the unpleasant concomitant manifestations of the disease.
Heparin: description of the substance and mechanism of action
Heparin is a glycosaminoglycan in nature, which is obtained from liver and lung tissue. This substance has powerful blood-thinning and antithrombotic effects, due to which it is classified as a direct anticoagulant.
The blood-thinning and antithrombotic effects of heparin are due to the fact that it interacts with the plasma cofactor, antithrombin III. As a result of such a connection, the activity of blood coagulation factors such as plasmin, thrombin and kallikrein is inhibited, which in turn prevents platelets from sticking together and forming blood clots.
It is also known that heparin has an anti-inflammatory effect, since it slows down the migration of neutrophils to the site of inflammation, and also inhibits lysosome enzymes and myeloperoxidase.
In addition to what is described, heparin, by thinning the blood, improves microcirculation and tissue nutrition, which promotes rapid healing of wounds, in particular cracks, ulcers and erosions.
Thus, heparin suppositories will help to perform several important therapeutic tasks for hemorrhoids, namely:
- reduce the severity of the inflammatory process in the anus;
- relieve swelling and reduce the size of hemorrhoids;
- dissolve blood clots inside hemorrhoidal cones;
- relieve pain, itching and burning in the anus;
- prevent the development of thrombosed hemorrhoids;
- speed up tissue restoration.
What effect do suppositories have?
Anal suppositories are torpedo-shaped “sausages” with a sharp tip, which must be inserted into the rectum for use. Normally, the suppository is solid to the touch, but under the influence of body temperature after administration it melts and spreads over the inner surface of the rectum. As a result, the active components are quickly absorbed into the mucous membranes and begin to have a therapeutic effect almost instantly. How do suppositories affect the patient’s body:
- Relieves pain symptoms;
- Reduce irritability of the mucous membranes in the anus;
- Eliminate bleeding in the rectum;
- Relieves hyperedema of inflamed anorectal tissues;
- Restore local blood circulation;
- Reduce the severity of inflammatory hemorrhoidal lesions;
- Prevents the formation of blood clots;
- Promotes accelerated wound healing;
- Increase vascular tone in the anorectal area;
- Accelerate regenerative intestinal processes.
But the mother must be clearly aware that the most effective suppositories for hemorrhoids inevitably contain unsafe ingredients that can adversely affect fetal development and gestation as a whole. Therefore, you cannot use rectal suppositories on your own without the advice of a gynecologist. Only a doctor can choose the most effective and safest medicine.
How to understand that hemorrhoids have developed?
The development of hemorrhoids during pregnancy often occurs spontaneously: a woman notices traces of blood on her underwear, in her stool, or a protrusion in the rectal area. These symptoms indicate an advanced stage of hemorrhoids, and the first manifestations of this disease are often hidden.
Only an experienced proctologist can draw up an effective treatment plan. Remember! Self-medication of hemorrhoids, especially during pregnancy, can lead to negative consequences and harm not only the woman’s health, but also her unborn child.
What other symptoms may indicate the development of hemorrhoids? In fact, there are quite a lot of them and the development of pathology can be suspected based on the following signs:
- burning, discomfort or itching in the rectum;
- discomfort or difficulty during bowel movements;
- the appearance of blood in stool or underwear;
- irritation in the anal area;
- protrusion or prolapse of hemorrhoids.
Treatment tactics for hemorrhoids during pregnancy are determined by the stage of pathological processes and gestational age. The doctor will tell you what suppositories you can use after the examination.
Terms of use
During pregnancy, it is of great importance than to treat hemorrhoidal inflammation, but it is no less important to use the drug correctly. To maximize the effectiveness of suppositories, it is recommended to follow some rules for their use. Such medications should be stored in the refrigerator, taken out when necessary. A cold suppository does not melt prematurely and has an additional analgesic effect.
Water procedures are beneficial for both mother and baby
Before administration, the intestinal cavity must be cleaned. Empty your bowels; if you can’t do it yourself, you need to do an enema. Only with a clean intestine will the suppositories be most effective. Don't forget about hygiene procedures. After bowel movements, the girl should thoroughly wash the anorectal area and wipe it dry.
To insert, you should lie on your side, with one leg extended and the other bent towards your stomach. The candle must be introduced immediately, without delay, otherwise it will begin to melt in your hands. After administering the medicine, you need to remain in a lying position for at least half an hour. This period will be enough for the active substances to be absorbed into the mucous membranes and begin their therapeutic effect.
It is better to administer it at night, as it is more convenient to remain in a calm state, and the effect of the suppositories is greater. Some products leave marks that are difficult to erase, so you can use daily wipes to protect your laundry. Similar manipulations should be performed in the morning. Empty your intestines, wash yourself, wipe yourself dry, insert the suppository and lie down with it for half an hour.
Indications for use
Heparin suppositories for the treatment of hemorrhoids should be used in the following forms:
Sphincter injury
- External and internal hemorrhoids
- Formation of large hemorrhoidal lumps
- Thrombosis in hemorrhoids
- Anal fissures
- Anal fistulas
- Unpleasant feelings and itching in the anus
- Severe pain with acute hemorrhoids
- Inflammation in the anus
- Erosion of the anus.
Heparin suppositories are best taken in the initial stages of hemorrhoids.
Review of the best drugs
To choose the most suitable medication for a particular patient, you need to contact specialists. The doctor will evaluate the complexity and severity of hemorrhoids, the presence of adverse reactions and the health characteristics of the pregnant woman. Not every suppository is suitable for this category of patients. Preference is often given to medications with natural composition.
Each product, including rectal suppositories, has a list of indications/contraindications and differs in the set of active ingredients. Therefore, you need to approach the use of the drug competently, use suppositories only as prescribed by your doctor. Below we will consider which suppositories for hemorrhoids during pregnancy are the safest and most effective.
Posterisan
Posterizan suppositories contain inactivated microorganisms, have an anti-inflammatory effect, accelerate cellular recovery, increase the elasticity of arterial and venous walls, and improve blood flow. Posterizan forte additionally contains hydrocortisone; the medication is prescribed for chronic hemorrhoids, when the lumps swell greatly and significantly worsen the patient’s quality of life.
The main indications for the use of Posterizan are the following conditions:
- Burning in the nodes;
- Severe anal itching;
- Sensation of a foreign body in the rectum;
- Anal fissures;
- Anopapillitis.
The dosage is determined by the doctor. According to the instructions, suppositories should be administered one in the morning and one at night. The advantage of Posterizan is that it can be used at any gestational age, since the components are not absorbed into the general bloodstream, which eliminates the possibility of negative consequences for the fetus.
Hepatrombin
Suppositories with heparin have an anti-inflammatory effect, prevent blood clots, preventing the formation of venous congestion. In addition to the main effect, they restore vascular elasticity and blood circulation in the formed hemorrhoidal cones damaged by thrombosis. Gepatrombin is prescribed for internal hemorrhoidal lesions, anal fissures, and blood supply disorders in the veins.
A specialist will help you choose the most suitable product
Procto-Glyvenol
Procto-Glivenol suppositories are not contraindicated for pregnant women, but they have some limitations. They are associated with a ban on use in the first trimester of gestation, in case of liver failure or individual intolerance. They may cause side effects such as skin reactions or burning in the anus and increased peristaltic functions.
Procto-Glivenol contains lidocaine, which indicates the strong analgesic activity of the drug. In addition, suppositories have a stabilizing effect on cell membrane structures and also affect sodium channels. When using Procto-Glivenol, the permeability of vascular channels is reduced, venous congestion is eliminated, and inflammation is stopped.
Treatment with Procto-Glivenol is effective for mild or moderate hemorrhoidal inflammation. To increase therapeutic effectiveness, these suppositories are combined with other medications.
Natalsid
What suppositories for hemorrhoids are possible when carrying a child, of course, Natalsid. This is a particularly popular drug among pregnant women, because it has a natural composition and is made from algae. Suppositories have a hemostatic effect, stop inflammatory processes, and have a pronounced wound-healing effect. Natalsid is used for any form of hemorrhoids, as well as in the treatment of anal fissures. When inserted into the anus, the suppository swells greatly and mixes with feces, which facilitates the bowel movement.
Natalsid has a number of advantages over other suppository antihemorrhoidal drugs:
- Exclusively natural ingredients;
- Inexpensive cost;
- Can be used at any gestational age;
- Relieves burning and itching discomfort already on the first day of use.
In fairness, it is worth mentioning the lack of Natalsid, which is associated with side effects in the form of an itchy allergic reaction. The suppository should be administered twice a day into the previously emptied rectum for a 7-14 day course.
Relief
Which suppositories can be used during pregnancy is decided only by the obstetrician-gynecologist observing the pregnant woman. Due to the high therapeutic effect, pregnant women are often prescribed Relief suppositories. This medication has a natural composition, including shark liver oil, phenylephrine, hydrocortisone, cocoa butter and zinc sulfate.
The use of Relief in the shortest possible time relieves painful symptoms, neutralizes itching, accelerates the healing of anal fissures, and restores the mucous membranes of the intestine and anus. The presence of phenylephrine provides a vasoconstrictor effect on varicose venous channels, which helps improve blood circulation in the affected area.
Moreover, the use of Relief pregnant suppositories in antihemorrhoidal therapy allows you to quickly relieve tissue hyperedema, reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process, and heal injured mucous membranes. Twice a day, a suppository should be inserted into the previously emptied rectum. Suppositories are well tolerated and cause virtually no adverse reactions. But the possibility of an allergic reaction cannot be completely excluded. Relief should be used with caution if you have high blood pressure or diabetes.
Herbal tea will help you warm up in cold weather
Sea buckthorn
Suppositories with sea buckthorn oil are ideal for a gentle therapeutic effect on inflamed hemorrhoids. They accelerate the regeneration of damaged mucous membranes, heal anal fissures, stop inflammatory processes and provide a mild antibacterial effect. The use of sea buckthorn rectal suppositories is indicated for cracks in the anorectal area, ulcerations on the anus and internal type of hemorrhoidal nodules.
Suppositories with a sea buckthorn component have no contraindications, with the exception of hypersensitivity to the drug. You need to administer a suppository twice a day (at night and in the morning) for a 1-2 week course. If hemorrhoidal inflammation is advanced, then after a week's break the course of therapy is repeated.
Proctosan
The active substance of Proctosan is inactive microbial cellular structures. Their effect promotes rapid restoration of mucous tissues and increases local immune defense. The use of Proctosan is acceptable at any prenatal stage, as well as during breastfeeding.
- The medication quickly relieves painful symptoms, eliminates itching and burning in the anal canal, and accelerates the healing of anorectal fissures.
- Proctosan helps strengthen the pelvic vascular canals and eliminate the inflammatory process in the formed hemorrhoids.
- This is a fairly potent medication that can cope with the problem even in advanced cases, which distinguishes it from other antihemorrhoidal drugs.
- The composition contains lidocaine, which provides a pronounced analgesic effect, and titanium and bismuth contribute to the formation of a protective film on the surface of the nodes, which prevents bleeding and helps wounds heal faster.
Proctosan is a non-steroidal drug that does not have any negative effect on the fetus, but at the same time significantly facilitates the patient’s well-being, eliminating pathological symptoms.
It is important not to ignore suspicious symptoms
Ichthyols
An effective medication that helps expand vascular channels and restore blood supply to affected and nearby tissues. Moreover, Ichthyol suppositories have an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. Treatment with ichthyol suppositories provides a long-lasting analgesic effect. The active components of suppositories have a powerful effect on deep tissue structures, so after a short time the patient receives a lasting analgesic effect.
The drug also effectively restores blood circulation, since the ichthyol in the suppositories improves venous blood flow, which provides the tissues with a sufficient amount of nutrients and oxygen. Thanks to this effect, tissues and vascular structures quickly return to normal. Ichthyol suppositories have an antimicrobial effect, disinfect inflamed surfaces and remove decay products. Under the influence of medicinal components, the inflammatory process is stopped, fungal infections and staphylococcal pathogens are suppressed.
Moreover, swelling is eliminated, because ichthyol increases tissue elasticity and promotes the removal of excess fluid. The sulfur in the drug can cause burns, so after administering the suppository it is necessary to wash your hands with soap and water to prevent the drug from getting into the patient’s eyes. Ichthyol is a medication with a cumulative effect, so it will not produce an immediate effect. You should expect results only with course use.
Propolis
Suppositories based on propolis are prescribed to pregnant women extremely often, because they have natural ingredients, quickly relieve pain symptoms, disinfect lesions and accelerate wound healing, restore damaged skin and mucous tissue, and relieve inflammatory processes. Propolis prevents the occurrence of infection in wounds and has a preventive antihemorrhoidal effect in the future. Moreover, propolis suppositories are relatively inexpensive, which makes them accessible to all patients.
The natural composition of suppositories practically eliminates their contraindications; however, such suppositories can provoke allergies in patients with intolerance to bee products. Propolis suppositories are safe at any gestational age. For maximum effectiveness of treatment, it is recommended to cleanse the intestines and carry out hygiene procedures before administering the medicine.
Hemorrhoids in the 1st trimester
At this stage, hemorrhoids occur quite rarely, since the uterus is still slightly enlarged and does not put much pressure on the pelvic organs. However, if the disease does develop, then the woman must undergo examination and treatment.
In the absence of treatment, this disease can make itself felt at a later date. Treatment should begin as early as possible, since it is during pregnancy that the development of hemorrhoids often occurs extremely quickly.
A woman should understand that hemorrhoids require treatment from a specialist and its manifestations cannot be ignored. Self-medication is also unacceptable, since it is in the first trimester that all the systems and organs of the unborn baby are formed. Improper use of medications, including suppositories, without a doctor’s permission, can have a detrimental effect on the development of a child.
Sea buckthorn suppositories help eliminate itching, burning and other unpleasant symptoms of hemorrhoids during early pregnancy.
At this stage of pregnancy, topical treatments are usually prescribed. During gestation, operations, including minimally invasive ones, are undesirable. Invasive procedures for pregnant women should only be prescribed in extreme cases. This may happen at stages 3-4 of the disease, when local treatment is ineffective and the woman’s condition is alarming. You should also not use drugs that are dangerous to the fetus, such as Macmiror.
When visiting a proctologist in the first months of gestation, drugs that are harmless to the child are often prescribed:
- Suppositories with propolis. The natural-based drug eliminates pain and has a wound-healing and antiseptic effect.
- Sea buckthorn candles. The oil contained in the candles is completely natural. It has a sufficient anti-inflammatory and wound healing effect. Helps eliminate itching and burning.
- Natalsid candles. The drug can be prescribed from the first days of pregnancy and during lactation. Suppositories eliminate bleeding and have an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Candles and ointment Relief Advance or Ultra. They have a wound-healing effect, eliminate pain and inflammation and promote the resorption of hemorrhoids.
- Neo-Anuzol candles. They can be used during gestation, but are contraindicated in case of pathologies of the thyroid gland and hypersensitivity to iodine.
- Candles with papaverine. This remedy helps relax smooth muscles and can be recommended to facilitate bowel movements and dilate the vessels of the rectum. There is no need to be afraid of their use - papaverine is often prescribed to pregnant women, as it is a safe vasodilator and smooth muscle relaxant.
In any case, you cannot prescribe medications yourself; this should be done by a doctor, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient!
In addition to medications in the form of rectal suppositories, the doctor may prescribe other medications: ointments, herbal baths.
Glycerin suppositories recommended for eliminating constipation should not be used for hemorrhoids, as they provoke irritation of the already inflamed walls of the rectum. Certain foods, adjustments to the daily menu, and sufficient physical activity can help establish a normal bowel movement.