Women's proctology
Proctological problems during pregnancy and after childbirth
- Section
- Women's proctology
- Specialist
- Op. Dr. Dilara Hasanova
- Clinic
- Modern Hospital, Baku
Why do proctological problems increase during pregnancy?
Short answer
During pregnancy, the growing uterus puts pressure on the pelvic blood vessels, hormones slow down the movement of the bowel, and constipation increases. Forceful straining during childbirth and injury to the perineum raise the risk of hemorrhoids, anal fissure and pelvic floor weakness. These problems appear most often in the last months of pregnancy and in the weeks after childbirth.
The most common problems
- Hemorrhoids: bleeding, lumps protruding outside, itching. After childbirth, a thrombosed external hemorrhoid can cause sharp pain.
- Anal fissure: severe pain during bowel movements, spots of blood.
- Constipation: hormones, iron supplements, low physical activity and fluid loss during breastfeeding can make constipation worse.
- Rectocele and pelvic floor weakness: after childbirth, a feeling of incomplete emptying, a feeling of fullness in the vagina, difficulty holding stool or gas.
How is treatment carried out?
- Diet and fluids: fiber-rich foods, enough water, and stool-softening medications that are safe in pregnancy (as prescribed by a doctor).
- Local treatment: ointments and suppositories suitable for pregnancy and breastfeeding. Not every medication is suitable for this period; do not use medications on your own.
- Warm sitz baths and hygiene.
- Thrombosed hemorrhoid: to relieve sharp pain, the clot can be removed with a minor surgical procedure (thrombectomy).
- Planned operations (hemorrhoidectomy, rectocele surgery) are usually scheduled after childbirth and the recovery period. If another pregnancy is planned in the future, the timing of the operation is chosen together with the doctor.
When should you see a doctor after childbirth?
- Pain and bleeding that continue even several weeks after childbirth
- A feeling of incomplete emptying, a need to press with a finger on the perineum or vagina to have a bowel movement
- Inability to hold gas or stool
- A bulge or a feeling of heaviness in the vagina
Video
Dr. Hasanova has explained this topic in Modern Hospital's videos: “Bowel prolapse after pregnancy” (2019, with obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Ülviyyə Gülmalıyeva) and “Proctological diseases that arise during pregnancy” (2020). This topic was also discussed in 2019 on ATV's “Həkimsən” program.
