Pregnancy and piles (haemorrhoids)
Causes of piles during pregnancy
There are a number of reasons women suffer piles in pregnancy. Your body goes through a lot of changes when you become pregnant and gradually these changes may cause piles.
The growing baby in the womb and pushing during labour puts pressure on blood vessels and obstructs the flow of blood in the veins. In addition, pregnancy hormones relax the blood vessels making blood flow sluggish. Consequently the veins become swollen or "varicose".
Being constipated will also increase the chances of developing piles. Pressure on the bowel from the baby in the womb, the effect of pregnancy hormones, taking less exercise than usual, a change in diet, and ignoring the call to go to the toilet all contribute to constipation during pregnancy. Constipation can then lead to piles.
