Hemorrhoids during pregnancy — what is safe and when should you see a doctor?

Medical author: Justyna Szul, MD, proctologist and surgeon — subject to authorisation before publication · Editorial preparation: Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej Editorial Team · Medical review: Justyna Szul, MD — to be confirmed before publication · Date created: 10 July 2026 · Review date: to be completed after authorisation · Updated: 10 July 2026

This article is educational and does not replace a proctology, gynaecology or obstetric consultation. During pregnancy, every medicine, suppository, rectal ointment, herbal preparation or laxative should be used only after confirming that it is appropriate for the individual patient and stage of pregnancy.

Key information at a glance

• Haemorrhoids are common during pregnancy, especially with constipation, straining during bowel movements, a sedentary lifestyle and pressure from the growing uterus on the pelvic vessels.
• Typical symptoms include itching, burning, pain, a lump near the anus, a feeling of swelling and bright red blood after a bowel movement.
• Rectal bleeding during pregnancy should not automatically be assumed to be caused by haemorrhoids. New, recurrent, heavy or concerning bleeding requires consultation.
• The safest first steps usually include fibre, fluids, pregnancy-appropriate activity, avoiding straining, keeping toilet visits brief, gentle hygiene, cool compresses and warm sitz baths.
• Do not use ointments, suppositories, anaesthetics, steroid preparations, herbal products or laxatives without consulting the doctor supervising the pregnancy or a proctologist.
• During pregnancy, treatment usually aims to relieve symptoms and allow the patient to pass safely through pregnancy and childbirth. Some symptoms improve after delivery.
• Proctological procedures during pregnancy are performed cautiously, only after qualification and usually when symptoms are severe, recurrent or urgent.
• Urgent assessment is required for severe pain, increasing swelling, fever, pus, heavy bleeding, dark or black stool, weakness, fainting or suspected vaginal bleeding.

Learn more about the specialist

Justyna Szul, MD, is a proctologist and surgeon at Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej in Gdańsk. She sees patients with anal conditions such as haemorrhoids, anal fissure, pain, bleeding, itching, lumps and other proctological symptoms. In pregnant patients, it is especially important to choose management that is safe for both the patient and the pregnancy, often in cooperation with the doctor supervising the pregnancy.

Meet Justyna Szul, MD

Does this topic make sense for SEO, AI and Google Search?

Yes. Pregnant patients often search for answers to questions such as: “haemorrhoids in pregnancy what to do”, “are haemorrhoids dangerous during pregnancy”, “haemorrhoid ointment during pregnancy”, “rectal bleeding in pregnancy”, “anal pain in pregnancy”, “lump near the anus during pregnancy”, “constipation and haemorrhoids in pregnancy”, “can I see a proctologist while pregnant” and “haemorrhoids after childbirth”. This blog addresses these intentions educationally, but directs the patient to consultation when symptoms are new, severe or unclear.

For pregnancy-related topics, E-E-A-T is particularly important: a medical author, medical review, update date, sources, red-flag symptoms and cautious language. The text should not encourage self-treatment with medicines or reassure every patient with bleeding, because not every episode of rectal bleeding is caused by haemorrhoids.

Why do haemorrhoids develop during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the body changes in many ways. The growing uterus increases pressure in the pelvis, blood volume rises, and hormonal changes may promote constipation and slow bowel function. If this is combined with straining during bowel movements, prolonged sitting on the toilet or low physical activity, the veins around the anus may enlarge and cause symptoms of haemorrhoidal disease.

Haemorrhoids may occur in any trimester, but many patients notice them especially in the second half of pregnancy and after delivery. This does not mean that every anal symptom during pregnancy is caused by haemorrhoids. Similar symptoms may occur with an anal fissure, thrombosed external haemorrhoid, skin irritation, abscess, infection, bowel disease or another condition requiring assessment.

Haemorrhoids during pregnancy — what symptoms are typical?

Symptoms vary depending on whether the haemorrhoids are internal, external or thrombosed. Patients most often describe:

• itching and burning around the anus,
• a feeling of swelling or pressure near the anus,
• pain while sitting or after a bowel movement,
• bright red blood on toilet paper, stool or in the toilet bowl,
• a lump near the anus,
• a feeling of incomplete bowel emptying,
• mucus or moisture around the anus,
• worsening after constipation, straining or prolonged sitting.

Bright red blood after a bowel movement may fit haemorrhoids, but it should not be ignored. If bleeding occurs for the first time, recurs, is heavy or is accompanied by pain, weakness or other symptoms, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

Rectal bleeding during pregnancy — is it definitely haemorrhoids?

Not always. Haemorrhoids are common during pregnancy, but rectal bleeding may also have other causes. It may result from an anal fissure, meaning a painful tear in the lining of the anal canal, irritation, inflammation, bowel disease, infection, a polyp or another problem.

It is also very important to distinguish rectal bleeding from vaginal bleeding. If the patient is unsure where the blood is coming from, has vaginal spotting, abdominal pain, contractions, fluid leakage, weakness or concern about the pregnancy, she should urgently contact the doctor supervising the pregnancy or seek obstetric care.

What is safest to start with?

During pregnancy, treatment usually begins with non-pharmacological methods that do not require medicines. Their purpose is to reduce constipation, limit straining and relieve pain or swelling.

The safest first steps usually include:

• fibre in the diet — vegetables, fruit, whole-grain products, seeds and other sources of fibre, introduced gradually,
• adequate fluid intake — especially when increasing fibre,
• pregnancy-appropriate activity — walking or activity recommended by the doctor supervising the pregnancy,
• avoiding straining — do not force the stool out,
• keeping toilet visits brief — do not sit for a long time with a phone,
• a position that makes bowel movements easier — placing the feet on a low stool may sometimes help,
• gentle hygiene — washing with water and patting dry with a towel without vigorous rubbing,
• cool compresses — briefly, through a cloth, if there is swelling or pain,
• warm sitz baths — warm, not hot, water if it provides relief and there are no obstetric contraindications.

These methods do not replace consultation when symptoms are severe, recurrent or unclear. They are, however, a good first step for many patients, especially when the problem is linked to constipation.

Constipation during pregnancy — why is it so important with haemorrhoids?

Constipation is one of the main factors worsening haemorrhoids during pregnancy. Hard stool, prolonged sitting on the toilet and straining increase pressure around the anus. This may cause pain, bleeding, enlargement of haemorrhoids and an anal fissure.

This is why treatment of haemorrhoids in pregnancy often begins not with an ointment but with regulating bowel movements. The aim is a soft, regular stool without diarrhoea or straining. If diet, fluids and activity are insufficient, the doctor supervising the pregnancy may choose a safe stool-regulating preparation. Strong laxatives, herbal mixtures or medicines randomly recommended online should not be used without medical advice.

Ointment, suppositories, lidocaine, hydrocortisone — what about medicines during pregnancy?

This is one of the most common questions: “Which haemorrhoid ointment can I use during pregnancy?”. The answer must be cautious: not every ointment, suppository or rectal preparation is suitable for every pregnant patient. The ingredients, stage of pregnancy, symptoms, coexisting conditions, current medicines and whether the problem is haemorrhoids, a fissure, thrombosis, infection or another cause all matter.

Topical products may contain anaesthetic, anti-inflammatory, steroid, astringent or herbal ingredients. Some may be used after medical qualification, but using “anything for haemorrhoids” without advice during pregnancy is not a good idea. Particular caution is required with steroid, anaesthetic, multi-ingredient and herbal preparations.

A safe rule is to begin with non-pharmacological measures and treatment of constipation. If this is not enough, consult the doctor supervising the pregnancy, a proctologist or a pharmacist familiar with medicine safety in pregnancy.

What should you not do on your own?

Extra caution is important during pregnancy. The patient should not independently:

• use strong laxatives without consultation,
• use steroid suppositories or ointments without medical advice,
• use products containing lidocaine or other anaesthetics without confirming that they are appropriate,
• use herbal mixtures, herbal sitz baths or essential oils without consultation,
• insert homemade preparations, oils, garlic, alcohol or irritating substances into the anus,
• sit on the toilet for a long time and strain strongly,
• ignore bleeding on the assumption that “it is normal in pregnancy”,
• delay consultation in the case of severe pain, an enlarging lump or fever.

Home remedies may irritate the skin, worsen pain, cause an allergic reaction or delay appropriate treatment.

When should you see a doctor?

It is advisable to see a doctor when symptoms are new, persist despite simple measures, recur, make sitting, walking or bowel movements difficult, or when the patient is unsure whether haemorrhoids are the cause.

Consultation is particularly recommended for:

• rectal bleeding for the first time,
• recurrent bleeding,
• severe pain during or after a bowel movement,
• a lump that appeared quickly and is very painful,
• suspected thrombosed external haemorrhoid,
• persistent itching, burning or discharge despite hygiene,
• suspected anal fissure,
• constipation that cannot be controlled with diet and fluids,
• the need to choose an ointment, suppository or medicine that is safe during pregnancy,
• symptoms that significantly reduce the pregnant patient’s quality of life.

When is urgent help needed?

Urgent assessment is required for:

• heavy rectal bleeding, clots or bleeding accompanied by weakness, dizziness or fainting,
• black, tarry or dark red stool,
• severe and increasing anal pain,
• a large, hard and very painful lump near the anus,
• fever, chills, pus or increasing swelling,
• abdominal pain, vomiting, inability to pass gas or stool,
• suspected vaginal bleeding,
• contractions, fluid leakage, worsening wellbeing or concern about the pregnancy,
• any situation in which the patient is unsure where the blood is coming from.

When in doubt during pregnancy, it is better to seek help early rather than wait. The safety of the patient and pregnancy is more important than assuming that “it is probably just haemorrhoids”.

Can a proctological examination be performed during pregnancy?

Yes. A proctology consultation is possible during pregnancy, but the scope of the examination should be tailored to the symptoms, stage of pregnancy, patient comfort and safety. A discussion and visual inspection of the anal area often provide a great deal of information. A digital rectal examination or anoscopy may be considered if needed, but they are not performed forcibly, especially in severe pain.

The proctologist should know the week of pregnancy, whether the pregnancy is progressing normally, whether the patient has recommendations from her gynaecologist, which medicines she takes and whether obstetric symptoms are present. If there is uncertainty, the management plan should be agreed with the doctor supervising the pregnancy.

Can haemorrhoids during pregnancy be treated with a procedure?

In most cases, conservative treatment and symptom relief are preferred during pregnancy. Proctological procedures are considered cautiously and individually, especially when symptoms are very severe, there is a painful thrombosis, suspected abscess, heavy bleeding or another condition requiring more urgent intervention.

Many elective procedures can be postponed until after delivery and the postpartum period if the patient’s condition allows. The decision depends on the diagnosis, trimester, severity of symptoms, risk and agreement with the doctor supervising the pregnancy. A procedure should not be chosen on the basis of advertising or promises of “quick haemorrhoid removal”.

Haemorrhoids after childbirth — will they disappear on their own?

In some women, haemorrhoid symptoms improve after delivery as pelvic pressure decreases and bowel function normalises. In others, the problem persists during the postpartum period, especially after a difficult delivery, severe constipation, strong pushing, an episiotomy, pain during bowel movements or the development of a fissure or thrombosis.

After delivery, soft stool, fluids, fibre, gentle hygiene and avoiding straining remain important. If pain, bleeding, a lump or itching persist, it is worth seeing a proctologist. Breastfeeding also matters when choosing medicines, so preparations should be selected carefully.

Common myths about haemorrhoids during pregnancy

• “Haemorrhoids are normal during pregnancy, so nothing needs to be done.” No. They are common, but symptoms can be relieved safely and constipation can be prevented.
• “Any rectal bleeding during pregnancy is caused by haemorrhoids.” No. Bleeding requires assessment, especially if it is new, heavy or recurrent.
• “Haemorrhoid ointments are topical, so they are all safe.” No. The ingredients matter, especially during pregnancy.
• “Suppositories are safer than tablets.” Not always. Rectal preparations may also contain substances that must be assessed for pregnancy safety.
• “You have to strain hard to have a bowel movement.” No. Straining worsens haemorrhoids and may contribute to an anal fissure.
• “Everything always resolves on its own after delivery.” For some women it does, but persistent pain, bleeding or a lump requires consultation.
• “Seeing a proctologist is contraindicated during pregnancy.” No. Consultation is possible, and the examination is tailored to the situation and patient safety.

Are you pregnant and experiencing pain, bleeding or a lump near the anus?

Do not immediately assume that it is “only haemorrhoids” and do not use random medicines. A consultation helps choose management that is safe for you and the pregnancy.

Proctology care during pregnancy at Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej in Gdańsk

At Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej, Justyna Szul, MD, sees pregnant patients with proctological problems such as haemorrhoids, anal fissure, pain, bleeding, itching, a lump near the anus and constipation that worsens symptoms. During pregnancy, it is particularly important to establish the diagnosis calmly and select management that is as safe as possible for the patient and consistent with the recommendations of the doctor supervising the pregnancy.

The purpose of the consultation is not to automatically propose a procedure. In many cases, the priorities are regulating bowel movements, safe care, assessing bleeding, excluding a fissure, thrombosis or abscess, and choosing symptomatic treatment only when it is needed and appropriate during pregnancy.

Learn more about Justyna Szul, MD Proctologist in Gdańsk Haemorrhoid treatment

What should you ask a proctologist if you are pregnant?

• Do my symptoms really look like haemorrhoids?
• Does the bleeding require additional diagnostics?
• Could the pain be caused by an anal fissure or thrombosed external haemorrhoid?
• How can I regulate bowel movements safely in my trimester?
• Can I use a specific ointment or suppository during pregnancy?
• What should I avoid without consultation?
• Is a proctological examination, anoscopy or only visual inspection of the anal area needed?
• Should I discuss the treatment plan with the doctor supervising the pregnancy?
• Which symptoms require urgent help?
• What should I do if the symptoms persist after delivery?

FAQ — haemorrhoids during pregnancy

Are haemorrhoids common during pregnancy?

Yes. Pregnancy promotes haemorrhoids through pelvic pressure, hormonal changes, constipation and straining during bowel movements. Common does not mean that every episode of pain or bleeding can be ignored.

Is rectal bleeding during pregnancy always caused by haemorrhoids?

No. Bleeding may result from haemorrhoids, an anal fissure, irritation, bowel disease or another cause. If the source is unclear, rectal bleeding must also be distinguished from vaginal bleeding.

What is safest for haemorrhoids during pregnancy?

Treatment usually begins with non-pharmacological measures: fibre, fluids, pregnancy-appropriate activity, avoiding straining, keeping toilet visits brief, gentle hygiene, cool compresses and warm sitz baths.

Can haemorrhoid ointment be used during pregnancy?

Not every ointment is suitable for every pregnant patient. Topical preparations may contain anaesthetic, steroid, anti-inflammatory or herbal ingredients. During pregnancy, it is best to discuss the specific product with a doctor or pharmacist.

Are haemorrhoid suppositories safe during pregnancy?

Suppositories are also medicines and may have different ingredients. They should not be used randomly simply because they act locally. During pregnancy, the choice of preparation should be agreed with a doctor or pharmacist.

Can you see a proctologist during pregnancy?

Yes. A proctology consultation is possible during pregnancy. The examination is tailored to the symptoms, stage of pregnancy, patient comfort and safety. If necessary, the treatment plan can be agreed with the doctor supervising the pregnancy.

Do haemorrhoids during pregnancy require a procedure?

Conservative treatment is usually the first step. Procedures during pregnancy are considered cautiously and individually, usually in cases of very severe symptoms, thrombosis, abscess, heavy bleeding or another condition requiring more urgent intervention.

When do haemorrhoids during pregnancy require urgent help?

Urgent assessment is required for heavy bleeding, black or dark red stool, severe increasing pain, a large painful lump, fever, pus, increasing swelling, fainting, weakness or suspected vaginal bleeding.

Will haemorrhoids disappear after childbirth?

In some women symptoms improve after delivery, but not always. If pain, bleeding, a lump, itching or difficulty with bowel movements persist during the postpartum period, it is worth seeing a proctologist.

Who provides consultations for haemorrhoids during pregnancy at WMP?

On the WMP website, Justyna Szul, MD, is described as a proctologist and surgeon. She sees patients with anal conditions, including haemorrhoids, anal fissures, pain, bleeding and other proctological symptoms.

Sources for medical and editorial verification

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