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It's not widely known that hemorrhoids can affect roughly one in four to one in three pregnant women, with the highest burden often arriving late in pregnancy and continuing after birth.
If you're asking, are hemorrhoids common during pregnancy, the short answer is yes. Hemorrhoids are one of the most frequent anorectal problems during pregnancy, and they're usually connected to pressure, constipation, hormonal changes, and the physical strain of delivery rather than anything you've done wrong.
This guide explains why estimates vary, which stages carry the greatest risk, how to reduce irritation, and when rectal pain or bleeding needs prompt attention from your OB/GYN.
Pregnancy hemorrhoids are common enough to be considered a routine pregnancy complication, not a rare side effect. Clinical sources commonly place overall prevalence at roughly 25% to 35%, while other medical summaries describe rates of about 30% to 40% among pregnant women. You can compare these estimates in the NIH review of hemorrhoids in pregnancy and the Cleveland Clinic overview of pregnancy hemorrhoids.
The exact percentage changes depending on how researchers define hemorrhoids, whether they count symptoms or confirmed findings, and whether they include the postpartum period. A person with itching and mild swelling may be counted in one survey, while another study may count only a clinically diagnosed hemorrhoid.
Hemorrhoids may appear during the second or third trimester, when the uterus is larger and bowel movements may become harder. Some people notice a small amount of bright red blood on toilet paper, itching, soreness, or a tender lump. Others mainly feel pressure when sitting.
These symptoms can also continue briefly after delivery. A prospective study found that 43.9% of 280 women developed perianal disease during pregnancy or soon after birth, including 40.7% diagnosed with hemorrhoids. The same study found that 61% of cases began in the third trimester and 34.1% occurred after delivery (PubMed study).
Practical rule: Common doesn't mean you have to tolerate severe pain, persistent symptoms, or unexplained bleeding without calling your prenatal care provider.
The useful question isn't only whether hemorrhoids are common. It's where you are in pregnancy, what symptoms you have, and whether they're improving with gentle care.
The timing matters. Hemorrhoid risk generally rises as pregnancy progresses. Early on, constipation from hormonal changes or iron-containing prenatal supplements may contribute. Later, the growing uterus adds more pressure around the pelvic veins.
The research does not produce one universal percentage. In a survey of 133 women, 51% reported hemorrhoidal disease symptoms during pregnancy, mainly in the second and third trimesters (BMC Gastroenterology survey). A broader review found a pooled pregnancy prevalence of 31.01% across 1,076,072 participants. Clinical reviews commonly report overall estimates of 25% to 35%, while some populations have reported third-trimester rates as high as 85% (prevalence review).
| Stage | Approximate prevalence | Key driver |
|---|---|---|
| First trimester | Lower, but not zero | Constipation and slower digestion |
| Second trimester | Rising and variable | Uterine growth and pelvic pressure |
| Third trimester | Highest-risk window | Venous congestion, constipation, and pressure |
| After delivery | Stays above baseline | Pushing, swelling, and difficult bowel movements |
This pattern describes risk across groups, not a personal forecast. One prospective cohort found that only 1.6% of cases began in the first trimester, compared with 61% during the third trimester and 34.1% after delivery (clinical cohort review).
After birth, swelling, wiping, sitting, and bowel movements can aggravate an existing hemorrhoid. See this guide to relief for hemorrhoids after childbirth for postpartum care considerations.
Think of the pelvic veins like soft drainage pipes. Blood needs to move back upward, but pregnancy adds pressure around the pipes, relaxes their walls, and can make bowel movements harder to pass.
As the uterus expands, it presses on pelvic veins and can slow blood returning from the lower body. Blood may then pool in the veins around the rectum, making them swell or become more sensitive.
That pressure tends to become more noticeable later in pregnancy. Long periods of sitting or standing can add to the heavy, congested feeling, especially when constipation causes repeated straining.
Pregnancy hormones relax smooth muscle and can also relax vein walls. The bowel may move more slowly, allowing the colon to remove more water from stool. The result can be harder stool that takes more effort to pass.
This is why hemorrhoids and constipation often arrive together. Improving stool softness can reduce pressure on the veins even though it doesn't change the size of the uterus.
Straining pushes downward against already congested rectal veins. Iron in prenatal vitamins can worsen constipation for some people, so it's reasonable to discuss a different formulation or stool-softening plan with your prenatal provider rather than stopping supplements on your own.
The three drivers overlap. You may not be able to remove pregnancy pressure, but you can often reduce the constipation and bathroom straining that make swelling more uncomfortable.
A quick self-check can help you identify which habits may be adding pressure. These factors don't prove that hemorrhoids are the cause of your symptoms, but they can show where small changes may be useful.
Separate the list into two groups. Diet, fluid intake, movement, and toilet habits are areas you can usually adjust. Genetics, carrying multiples, and a history of childbirth aren't under your control, so they deserve compassion rather than blame.
A manageable routine can reduce pressure on swollen veins. Begin with stool consistency, then make bathroom habits and daily movement easier on your body.
Aim for 25 to 30 grams of fiber each day through fruits, vegetables, beans, oats, and whole grains. Increase it gradually if your current diet is low in fiber, since a sudden change can cause bloating. Pair fiber with fluids. A general target is 8 to 10 cups daily, unless your provider has given you different instructions.
Try oats with fruit at breakfast, vegetables with lunch, and a fiber-rich snack such as fruit or chia. If constipation continues, ask your OB/GYN whether a stool softener fits your care plan.
Place your feet on a small stool so your knees sit higher than your hips. Relax your abdomen, avoid holding your breath, and leave the bathroom if a bowel movement is not happening. Sitting and waiting can turn a brief attempt into prolonged pressure and straining.
Short walking breaks can interrupt long periods at a desk. Side-lying rest, especially on the left side when comfortable, may ease pressure later in pregnancy. Gentle pelvic floor relaxation, followed by coordinated engagement, is more helpful than keeping those muscles clenched continuously.
Build the routine around your prenatal care plan: fiber with meals, regular fluids, gentle movement, a relaxed toilet posture, and brief rest when pressure increases.
Here's a short demonstration of gentle movement and positioning:
For more ideas, read how to prevent hemorrhoids while pregnant. If external burning or itching is distracting, Revivol-XR 5% Lidocaine Numbing Cream contains 5% lidocaine for temporary topical soothing relief, with aloe and vitamin E. It is for external use only. Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should ask a health professional before use and follow the label.
Start with the least irritating option. A lukewarm sitz bath can relax the area and provide comfort without rubbing sensitive skin. A common approach is soaking for 15 to 20 minutes, two to three times daily, and after bowel movements, but stop if warmth increases swelling or discomfort.
Afterward, pat dry rather than rubbing. A rinse bottle or fragrance-free wipe may be gentler than dry toilet paper, especially during postpartum recovery. Cold compresses can help with short-term swelling, and a cushion may make sitting more comfortable.
Witch hazel pads, zinc oxide protectants, and some pramoxine products are commonly used for external irritation, but product formulas differ. Check with your OB/GYN before using lidocaine, hydrocortisone, phenylephrine, suppositories, or any medication inside the rectum.
Oral stool softeners such as docusate sodium are often considered suitable during pregnancy, but your provider should confirm what fits your medical history. Stimulant laxatives require specific guidance, particularly if constipation is severe or persistent.
A witch hazel guide for hemorrhoids during pregnancy can help you compare cleansing and soothing approaches. If you prefer a soak product, Sitz Bath Soak Mix contains Epsom salt among a blend of botanical and other ingredients, but it's for external bath-water use only. Patch testing and provider advice are especially important with essential oils or sensitive skin.
Mild itching, soreness, or a small amount of bright red blood after a bowel movement can occur with hemorrhoids. Still, rectal bleeding during pregnancy deserves attention because blood may come from another source, and vaginal bleeding can sometimes be mistaken for rectal bleeding.
Call your provider promptly if you notice:
An OB/GYN may ask when the pain began, whether the blood is bright red or dark, and whether you saw clots. They may also perform a brief external examination to distinguish a hemorrhoid from a fissure, prolapse, infection, or another anorectal problem.
Calling isn't an overreaction. A thrombosed hemorrhoid and a prolapsed hemorrhoid can require different management, so an examination may prevent you from relying on the wrong home-care plan.
Don't insert products into the rectum unless your provider specifically directs you to do so. Persistent, severe, or bleeding symptoms should be evaluated rather than managed only at home.
Many pregnancy-related hemorrhoids become smaller as pelvic pressure and constipation improve. The postpartum period can still bring a flare because of delivery, pushing, swelling, and the first bowel movements after birth.
Symptoms often improve during the postpartum recovery period, and many hemorrhoids shrink within six weeks after delivery, especially when you continue fiber, fluids, gentle cleansing, sitz baths, and a provider-approved stool-softening plan. The timing varies, so worsening or ongoing symptoms deserve a clinical review.
It can. The downward pressure of pushing may increase swelling, particularly when hemorrhoids are already irritated. That doesn't mean you should fear labor, but it does mean you should tell your care team about significant pain or a known lump.
Yes, a clot can form inside an external hemorrhoid and cause sudden, severe pain. A hard, painful lump should be assessed rather than assumed to be a routine flare.
Some, including docusate sodium, are commonly considered safe with provider approval. Ask your OB/GYN before starting, changing, or combining constipation products.
Keep a simple daily note of your symptoms, fluid intake, fiber intake, stool comfort, and any bleeding. Bring it to your next prenatal visit, or contact your provider sooner if symptoms are severe, persistent, or worsening. Revivol-XR may be one topical comfort option to discuss with your provider, alongside the daily habits above, but it doesn't cure or prevent an underlying condition.
Hemorrhoids can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but they're also a common and manageable part of pregnancy and postpartum recovery. You don't have to wait until the discomfort becomes overwhelming before asking for help.
Revivol-XR offers topical products designed to provide temporary soothing relief from hemorrhoid discomfort, burning, and itching, including a 5% lidocaine option for external use. Visit Revivol-XR to review the available products, and ask your healthcare provider which option fits your pregnancy or postpartum care plan.
