Treatment of internal haemorrhoids in women

Haemorrhoids are one of the most common diseases of our time. Without timely treatment, the pathology leads to dangerous complications and deprives the girl of the opportunity to lead a normal lifestyle. You can only get rid of the disease under the supervision of a qualified proctologist.

Causes of internal haemorrhoids in women

Internal haemorrhoids is an expansion of the veins of the submucosal layer of the rectum. The main cause of the disorder is the slow outflow of blood from the lower sections, caused by increased pressure in the peritoneum, venous congestion, and degenerative changes in the muscles.

Among the risk factors contributing to the development of the disease:

• sedentary lifestyle;
• overweight;
• recurrent constipation, diarrhea;
• neoplasms, adhesions in the pelvic area;
• improper nutrition with a lack of fiber in the diet with abundant consumption of fatty, spicy foods. Strict diets are no less dangerous;
• atherosclerosis;
• prolonged debilitating cough;
• weight lifting, including excessive loads during training;
• smoking, alcohol abuse;
• varicose veins;
• chronic or acute stress;
• passion for anal sex;
• genetic predisposition to cardiovascular diseases.

Increase the likelihood of haemorrhoids in women anatomical features of the body structure. The proximity of the rectum to the vagina creates the prerequisites for the transfer of inflammation or infection from the genitals to the rectum. Blood flow to the pelvis during menstruation also increases the risk of pathology in girls, especially in combination with other negative factors.

Why do haemorrhoids appear in pregnant women

During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur in a woman’s body, as a result of which the walls of blood vessels lose their tone and elasticity to some extent. This is complemented by pressure on the intestines of the enlarged uterus and decreased physical activity.

The moment of natural childbirth is especially dangerous, when there is a sharp flow of blood to the pelvic organs, the load on the vascular system increases many times.

Attention: haemorrhoids in a pregnant woman in an advanced form can lead to oxygen starvation, anemia, infection, and underdevelopment of the fetus.

Treatment of the pathology is possible in any trimester, but must be under constant medical supervision, since many pharmaceuticals are contraindicated during pregnancy.

Symptoms of internal haemorrhoids in women

Internal haemorrhoids are much more insidious than external. It is difficult to detect during visual diagnosis, since the nodes are hidden in the rectum. The pathology develops asymptomatically over a long period of time. Some patients experience slight itching and bloody smears on toilet paper. Most women do not feel any discomfort.

The pronounced clinical picture manifests only in the late stages of disease development. Among the characteristic symptoms of internal haemorrhoids are:

• pain during defecation;
• a feeling of incomplete bowel emptying;
• profuse bleeding from the anus;
• burning, skin peeling in the anal area;
• mucous discharge;
• periodic sharp, acute pain in the intestinal lumen, sometimes radiating to other internal organs;
• prolapse of the internal haemorrhoid during heavy lifting, constipation, coughing, or sudden movements.

Attention: without medical assistance, complications such as fistulas, anal fissures, and sphincter incontinence can develop.

Against the background of constant bleeding, the patient develops anemia, which significantly reduces quality of life.

You need to make an appointment with a proctologist at the first signs of the disease. Modern diagnostic methods allow for accurately determining the location of the haemorrhoidal node, the degree of involvement, and identifying areas of inflammation.

Conservative treatment

Treatment of haemorrhoids without surgery is possible only at stages I-II of the disease. It is aimed at:

• relieving pain;
• stopping bleeding;
• preventing complications;
• avoiding exacerbations in the chronic form of the condition.

The therapeutic plan for each patient is developed individually, taking into account the specifics of the disease course, overall health condition, and the presence of comorbidities.

The set of measures includes:

• quitting bad habits;
• special diet;
• taking pharmaceutical medications;
• controlled physical activity.

Treatment for haemorrhoids is long-term. Even after recovery, the woman will have to follow a special diet and do daily exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the thighs and buttocks. Cardio exercises and yoga classes are good for this. Intense training with weights is contraindicated for haemorrhoids.

Diet

Dietary nutrition is an essential part of the treatment and prevention of the disease. Lack of fiber and fluid in the diet leads to constipation. Fecal plugs disrupt blood flow in the vessels of the anus, causing inflammation, bleeding, and infection of haemorrhoids.

To normalize digestion and eliminate unnecessary stress on the intestinal walls, you need to eat more foods that are easily digestible and stimulate gastrointestinal motility.

Among them:

• porridge from buckwheat, barley, oatmeal;
• vegetables;
• meat, low-fat fish;
• algae;
• berries;
• vegetable oils;
• fruits;
• fermented dairy products;
• fresh greens;
• leafy salads;
• whole-grain, toasted bread.

During periods of exacerbation, it is necessary to minimize consumption and completely exclude from the diet foods that irritate the intestinal mucosa, cause bloating, digestive disorders, and increase blood flow to the pelvic organs:

• fatty, fried dishes;
• spicy sauces, seasonings;
• smoked products;
• radish;
• rice;
• pickled foods;
• white cabbage;
• processed foods;
• grapes;
• onion, garlic;
• hard cheeses;
• marinades;
• fresh bread;
• pasta;
• radish;
• chocolate;
• persimmon;
• soups with rich broth;
• legumes;
• canned meat and fish;
• potatoes;
• semolina porridge;
• quince;
• baked goods, cream desserts.

You need to eat fractionally (4-6 times a day) in small portions. Boil, bake or steam dishes, but do not fry.

To maintain water balance, doctors recommend drinking at least two liters of water per day (if there are no serious problems with the kidneys). It is better to replace the usual black tea with weakly brewed green or herbal tea, juices, and homemade fruit drinks. You will have to give up coffee, cocoa, and alcohol of any strength. These drinks increase pressure in the pelvic area, disrupt blood circulation and digestive processes.

Drug treatment

The action of pharmaceutical drugs is aimed not only at relieving the unpleasant symptoms of haemorrhoids, but also at eliminating the problems causing the pathology. They quickly relieve pain and burning in the anal area, normalize blood circulation, tone blood vessels in the problem area, and prevent blood clots.

To achieve the desired result, drugs from various pharmacological groups are used:

• anticoagulants;
• painkillers;
• venotonics;
• antiseptic;
• hemostatic;
• enzymes;
• astringents;
• hormonal;
• anti-inflammatory.

Attention: any medications for haemorrhoids can only be used as prescribed by your doctor.

In complex therapy, drugs of local (ointments, suppositories) and systemic (tablets) action are used. Local remedies are easy to use, quickly relieve symptoms, and “work” only in the affected area, without affecting the entire body. Systemic drugs are more effective and act on the root cause of the disease.

Folk remedies

As an additional symptomatic treatment, you can use formulations prepared at home according to folk recipes. They do not get rid of haemorrhoids, but they alleviate the patient’s condition.

Enemas, sitz baths, lotions with honey, garlic, aloe, and grated potatoes are good for relieving pain, itching, and burning in the affected area. For haemorrhoids, you can also use decoctions of plants that have a soothing, antiseptic effect:

• daisies;
• calendula;
• nettle;
• sea buckthorn;
• oak bark;
• lavender;
• sage;
• plantain;
• horse chestnut.

The fastest way to relieve pain at home is an ice compress. Within 10 minutes it reduces the size of haemorrhoids and alleviates the general condition.

All remedies are auxiliary, none of them cure haemorrhoids. Before using any traditional method, you should consult your doctor. Even the most harmless herb at first glance can provoke a worsening of the disease.

Is it possible to get rid of haemorrhoids at home

Advertising on the Internet and on television offers many remedies that claim to get rid of haemorrhoids once and for all. Unfortunately, this is not the case. A therapeutic course of treatment properly designed by a proctologist helps to slow down the development of the disease if detected at an early stage.

The effect of any folk remedies is aimed only at alleviating the clinical picture. They cannot be used alone. While a woman fights the symptoms rather than the disease itself, serious complications develop, which are extremely difficult to deal with. The only radical way to treat haemorrhoids is surgery.

Methods of Surgical Treatment of Haemorrhoids

Modern methods of surgical intervention for haemorrhoids allow the procedure to be performed quickly, with minimal discomfort for the patient.

At stages I-II of the disease, the recommended method is laser thrombectomy. During the operation, the doctor uses a directed laser beam to “evaporate” the pathological node, while simultaneously sealing the capillaries in the affected area. This minimizes the risks of postoperative complications such as infection and bleeding. The proctologist controls the depth of exposure by adjusting the laser beam parameters. Healthy tissues are not damaged, and the patient recovers quickly after the operation.

When haemorrhoids are diagnosed at stages III-IV, other forms of intervention are used. The most effective of them are:

• Morgan-Milligan haemorrhoidectomy using the LigaSure device — removal of excess tissue from the internal haemorrhoids;
• Longo operation — removal of a mucosal ring above the dentate line with stapled edge connection and lifting of prolapsed internal tissues; it should not be described as planned necrosis and disappearance of all nodes. The method does not eliminate the external component and requires discussion of the risk of recurrence, complications, and alternatives; More on the topic: Longo operation.
• transanal Doppler-controlled dearterialization of internal haemorrhoids by the HAL-RAR method — a modern intervention technique that involves tying the arteries that supply blood to the haemorrhoid. As a result, the node shrinks, dries up, and its remnants are excreted during bowel movements. The entire procedure is carried out under the control of ultrasound Doppler, which allows for precise determination of the location of the vessels.

The listed interventions differ in the extent of tissue trauma and recovery. For the chosen method, the benefits, risks, possible pain, and activity restrictions are discussed in advance. The type of anesthesia is determined by the anesthesiologist; the placement of an epidural catheter is not necessary for everyone and has contraindications. After discharge, it remains necessary to follow recommendations and seek medical attention if concerning symptoms appear. Minimally invasive does not mean the absence of complications or equally short recovery for every patient.

Haemorrhoid Prevention in Women

To prevent the occurrence of haemorrhoids, you need to follow a few simple rules:

• eat right. Every day, eat fresh and thermally processed vegetables, minimize the consumption of fatty, spicy foods, sweets, and other foods that provoke intestinal disorders;
• for those who work at a computer, get up every 15-20 minutes, walk a little, you can go up or down the stairs;
• drink enough clean water;
• avoid lifting heavy objects;
• choose chairs with a hard seat;
• refuse alcohol and smoking;
• girls who spend a lot of time driving a car should do a short warm-up every 2-3 hours;
• Pregnant women should take walks in the fresh air more often and do simple exercises.

Ladies over 45 years of age are recommended to undergo preventive examinations with a proctologist, even in the absence of signs of a disorder.

Haemorrhoids are a serious disease that leads to serious complications and reduces a woman’s quality of life. There are no ways to cope with the disease at home. You should not waste time on self-medication. It is better to immediately consult a doctor and undergo the prescribed therapy. Modern methods and means make it possible to get rid of pathology quickly, with minimal discomfort for the patient.