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By Hemorrhoid.com | November 30, 2025
Most people don't realize that the hormonal shifts in pregnancy can turn a simple trip to the bathroom into a painful, frustrating experience.
I once spoke with an expectant mother who was in tears because she thought the constant discomfort from hemorrhoids and constipation was just something she had to endure for nine months. She was trying every home remedy she could find online, from strange diets to awkward exercises, but nothing was working. She felt isolated and was almost ready to give up on finding relief, worried that any real medicine would be unsafe for her baby.
The belief that you must "just deal with" pregnancy discomfort is a dangerous myth.
Her story is incredibly common. So many women are told that these issues are just a "normal" part of pregnancy, leaving them to suffer in silence. But that experience taught me a crucial lesson: providing safe, clear, and effective solutions is not just helpful… it's essential for a mother's well-being. You don't have to suffer. Safe options exist, and understanding them is the first step toward feeling better.
To get started, the first action you should take is to have a confident, informed conversation with your doctor about what’s right for you. This guide will give you the knowledge you need.
Think of a suppository as a tiny, targeted delivery missile for medication. It's a small, solid, usually cone-shaped medicine designed for insertion into the rectum.
Once it's in, your natural body heat gently melts it, releasing the active ingredients right where you need them most.
This direct approach is a huge plus… unlike a pill that has to travel through your entire system, a suppository gets to work at the source. That often means faster relief with fewer body-wide side effects, a big win when you’re pregnant.
It’s crucial to know that not all suppositories are created equal. When we talk about them in the context of pregnancy, they really fall into two completely separate camps:
The most important thing to remember is this: for constipation or hemorrhoid relief during pregnancy, you should only ever consider OTC options after you’ve gotten the green light from your doctor.
| Suppository Type | Primary Use | Key Ingredient Example | General Safety Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glycerin Suppositories | Relieving constipation | Glycerin | Generally considered safe, but always confirm with your doctor first. |
| Hemorrhoid Suppositories | Soothing hemorrhoid pain & itching | Phenylephrine, Witch Hazel | Many are safe, but some ingredients should be avoided. Doctor's advice is essential. |
| Bisacodyl Suppositories | Stimulant laxative for constipation | Bisacodyl | Not usually the first choice; use only if specifically recommended by your provider. |
| Progesterone Suppositories | Hormonal support for pregnancy | Progesterone | Prescription-only and used for specific medical conditions, not for digestive relief. |
This table is just a starting point. The goal here is to give you the foundational knowledge to ask the right questions. Understanding how these products work helps you partner with your healthcare provider to find relief that’s both effective and, most importantly, safe for you and your baby.
It can feel like it happens almost overnight. One day you’re sailing through your pregnancy, and the next, every trip to the bathroom feels like a battle.
If you’re suddenly dealing with constipation and hemorrhoids, you’re in very good company. These are two of the most common complaints during pregnancy, and they happen for very specific, biological reasons.
Your body is performing the incredible feat of growing a new life, but that process triggers a cascade of hormonal and physical changes. This isn't just bad luck… it's a direct side effect of the amazing work your body is doing.
One of the main culprits behind pregnancy constipation is the hormone progesterone. Your levels skyrocket during pregnancy to help keep your uterus relaxed and healthy for the baby.
But progesterone doesn't just relax the uterus; it relaxes all smooth muscles, including the ones in your digestive tract. This causes your entire digestive system to slow way down.
While this gives your body extra time to absorb nutrients for the baby, it also means more water gets pulled from your stool, making it hard, dry, and difficult to pass. This is a key reason why up to 40% of pregnant women experience constipation.
As your baby gets bigger, your uterus expands, putting a ton of pressure on everything around it… especially your bowels and the major blood vessels in your pelvis.
This constant pressure creates a double-whammy effect:
This combination of sluggish digestion and intense physical pressure is the perfect recipe for both constipation and hemorrhoids.
Straining on the toilet due to pregnancy-induced constipation is one of the most direct triggers for developing painful hemorrhoids. The pressure is simply too much for the already-stressed veins to handle.
Once you understand these powerful hormonal and physical forces, it’s easy to see why simply "eating more fiber" doesn't always cut it. The changes happening inside your body are significant, and they often require targeted solutions like suppositories in pregnancy to deliver safe, effective relief right where you need it most.
Strolling through the pharmacy aisle while pregnant can feel a little overwhelming. You’re faced with rows of boxes, all promising quick relief, but how can you be sure what’s actually safe for you and your growing baby?
Choosing the right suppositories in pregnancy isn’t about becoming a chemist overnight. It’s about understanding what to look for… and what to leave on the shelf. The great news is that many over-the-counter (OTC) options are gentle and perfectly fine to use.
When you flip that box over, you’ll find the “active ingredients.” During pregnancy, the simpler the formula, the better. You’re looking for ingredients that work locally… right in the rectum… and aren’t absorbed into your bloodstream in any significant amount.
Here are some of the good guys to look for:
Then there are ingredients to approach with caution. Always have a chat with your OB/GYN before using anything with these:
Picking safe ingredients is step one, but how they’re put together is just as important. A well-made suppository should deliver relief without causing more irritation. For a better sense of how the delivery method itself works, check out our guide on what a hemorrhoid suppository does.
This is exactly where Revivol-XR makes a difference. We specifically developed our suppositories with pregnant and postpartum moms in mind. We use effective, FDA-compliant ingredients like phenylephrine in a gentle aloe base. This formula is designed to shrink swollen tissue while soothing the area at the same time… providing complete relief without any unnecessary harshness.
Here are your action steps for choosing an OTC suppository:
While we’ve been talking about over-the-counter suppositories for common issues like constipation, it’s important to touch on a completely different type you might hear about: progesterone suppositories.
These are not for digestive troubles. They are powerful, prescription-only medications used for very specific medical reasons to support a pregnancy itself.
Unlike a gentle glycerin suppository that works locally in the rectum, progesterone suppositories deliver a crucial hormone to sustain the pregnancy. This is a serious medical intervention, always guided by your healthcare team.
Progesterone is often called "the pregnancy hormone," and for good reason. It plays a vital role in creating a healthy, supportive environment for a developing baby.
A doctor might prescribe progesterone suppositories in pregnancy for a few critical reasons:
Key Takeaway: Progesterone suppositories are a targeted hormonal treatment. They address underlying medical conditions related to pregnancy viability, not symptoms like constipation or hemorrhoids.
Because of this complexity, you will never find progesterone suppositories on a pharmacy shelf next to products from brands like Revivol-XR. They are strictly managed by your medical team, who will determine the exact dose and duration you need.
Using a rectal suppository for the first time, especially during pregnancy, can feel a little awkward. But it’s actually a very simple and direct way to get relief.
With a few practical tips, you can make it comfortable, stress-free, and feel confident you're doing it right.
Finding a comfortable position is the real key here. When your muscles are relaxed, everything is easier, so take a deep breath before you start. The best positions help relax the sphincter muscles.
Take these action steps for easy insertion:
Remember to wash your hands again when you're finished. That's it! The whole process is quick and simple.
While suppositories offer direct, targeted relief, think of them as just one tool in your comfort kit. The most powerful approach is pairing them with daily habits that prevent problems before they start.
A suppository can help you put out a fire, but a lifestyle focused on prevention keeps the fire from starting in the first place.
One of the best ways to tackle pregnancy-related constipation and hemorrhoids is from the inside out. The goal is simple: keep your stool soft and easy to pass.
Staying active and using simple home remedies can bring surprisingly fast relief from the pressure and ache of hemorrhoids.
Gentle exercise, like a daily walk or prenatal yoga, is fantastic for encouraging healthy digestion and boosting circulation.
A sitz bath is another game-changer. Soaking your bottom in a few inches of warm water for 15 to 20 minutes a few times a day is incredibly soothing and helps ease swelling.
For a closer look at other safe at-home options, check out our guide on natural remedies for hemorrhoids during pregnancy.
These lifestyle adjustments are your true first line of defense. They create a strong foundation for comfort that supports you throughout your entire pregnancy journey.
Let's cut through the confusion. Here are some straight answers to the most common questions we hear about using suppositories during and after pregnancy.
Yes, for the most part. Many over-the-counter suppositories in pregnancy are considered safe for tackling hemorrhoids. The key is to look for gentle, locally acting ingredients like phenylephrine or witch hazel. Always, always check with your provider before you start anything new.
Glycerin suppositories are known for getting things moving pretty fast, usually bringing relief within 15 to 60 minutes. It's a good idea to use one when you know you can stay close to a bathroom for a little while.
With generally safe options like glycerin or phenylephrine, side effects are usually minimal and local. You might feel some mild, temporary irritation where you inserted it. If you ever experience severe cramping, bleeding, or any other symptom that feels off after using any suppository, get in touch with your doctor right away.
It’s always best to loop your doctor in before starting a new treatment, but you should definitely make a call if your constipation is severe, lasts more than a week, or comes with intense abdominal pain. For hemorrhoids, seek medical advice if they are extremely painful, bleed often, or aren't getting better with at-home care.
That expectant mother I mentioned earlier? After a conversation with her doctor, she started using a safe, gentle suppository. The change wasn't just physical… the relief allowed her to focus on the joy of her pregnancy again. Your comfort matters. For a safe, effective, and doctor-trusted option designed with pregnancy in mind, explore the Revivol-XR Hemorrhoid Suppositories. Learn more about our pregnancy-safe formula.
