If you struggle with hemorrhoids, it’s possible pelvic floor dysfunction may be to blame. When your pelvic floor muscles aren’t relaxing the way they should, you may have a harder time pooping. And straining adds extra pressure that can stress the veins in your anus and lead to hemorrhoids.
These simple strategies below can help you to prevent or heal hemorrhoids at home. And look into physical therapy for hemorrhoids if you experience them often.
What are hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids (piles) are blood vessels that cushion the lower lining of your rectum and anus. Everybody has hemorrhoids, so they’re a totally normal part of your anatomy.
These little cushions of veins help support your anal canal and protect your bowel continence. But sometimes, hemorrhoids can get irritated, swollen, and inflamed, swollen, which can make things really uncomfortable.
There are two types of hemorrhoids:
- External hemorrhoids: These are inflamed and swollen veins that happen under the skin around the anus.
- Internal hemorrhoids: There are swollen veins that happen inside the anal canal or lower rectum. You usually can’t see internal hemorrhoids, but hemorrhoidal tissues can sometimes prolapse and fall through your anal area opening.
Hemorrhoid symptoms
Swollen and inflamed hemorrhoids can cause a variety of symptoms, including rectal area pain and itching. But they can also be completely painless.
You may also be able to feel or see an external hemorrhoid as a small lump around your anal opening.
Internal hemorrhoids can cause rectal bleeding, which you may notice as bright red blood on your stool, on the toilet paper when you wipe, or dripping into the toilet bowel.
What are the main reasons for hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids can become inflamed and swollen when there’s increased pressure on those cushioned blood vessels. This is more common with:
- Pregnancy
- Heavy lifting (which increases abdominal pressure)
- Poor pressure management
- Constipation and straining during bowel movements
- A poor diet (low in fiber)
- Prolonged sitting
- Excess body weight
And when a hemorrhoid really hurts, it’s normal to feel frustrated and overwhelmed. Talking about it can help. With an online consultation with a pelvic health expert, you can understand what’s going on in your body and create a plan to feel better.
Tips for how to treat painful hemorrhoids
When you have swollen, angry hemorrhoids, your main goal is to find ways to decrease pressure and strain on these fragile veins – and to make pooping as easy as possible!
Tip 1: Avoid straining
One of the biggest ways you can aggravate a hemorrhoid is by straining on the toilet – especially if you’re constipated. It can help to learn how to poop more effectively:
- While sitting on the toilet, put your feet up on a stool or Squatty Potty so your knees are higher than your hips. Lean forward and exhale like you’re blowing out a candle as you gently push. This will help relax your pelvic floor muscles so you don’t have to strain as much.
- Avoid hovering over the toilet. Sit down so your pelvic floor muscles can properly relax.
Tip 2: Keep your poop soft and easy to pass
Stool that is dry or bulky can be harder – and even painful – to pass. A bowel movement is a lot easier if your stool is soft and smooth, like a type 4 or 5 on the chart above.
To get softer stool, try these home treatments:
- Increase your fiber intake to between 25 g and 35 g a day. A good way to do this is to eat lots of high-fiber foods like whole vegetables, fruits, and grains. You can also try fiber supplementation like psyllium husk to add bulk to your stool, just check with your doctor first.
- Drink lots of water each day! This will help keep you and your poop hydrated. Aim to drink enough water so that your urine is light yellow to clear.
- Try CALM magnesium drink at night.
- Get a regular bowel routine going if you can. Try to go in the mornings or after drinking a warm beverage or having a meal.
Tip 3: Learn to relax your pelvic floor
Constipation isn’t the only reason you may have to strain when you poop. Straining can also be a matter of habit or because your pelvic floor muscles aren’t relaxing and coordinating properly. Here are some strategies for relaxing your pelvic floor:
- Practice diaphragmatic breathing. Expand your ribs 360 degrees on inhale, then relax them back down as you exhale. Think of an umbrella opening and closing with your breath.
- Practice pelvic floor exercises. Learn about your pelvic floor muscles. They have the ability to contract, relax and lengthen with ease. A pelvic floor physical therapist can help with this.
- Breathe! Exhale as you gently relax and lengthen your pelvic floor while sitting on the toilet.
And yes, relaxing your pelvic floor can be a lot easier said than done. That’s why The V-Hive has programs that will help you relax and release your pelvic floor.
Tip 4: Keep your body moving
Your body likes to move…and so do your bowels.
Regular exercise is important to support digestion, prevent constipation, and improve blood flow and vessel health. But certain exercises, like high-impact activity or heavy lifting, may increase pressure on inflamed hemorrhoids. Try these strategies:
- Move your body every day. Aim for around 150 minutes of cardio each week, and ask your pelvic PT how you can safely lift weights to stay strong.
- Stretch.
- Practice breathing and pelvic floor coordination during heavy lifting, like picking up your baby or toddler, and during other daily tasks.
Tip 5: Calm hemorrhoid symptoms
Sometimes, no matter how proactive you are, you can still get hemorrhoids. To soothe symptoms of hemorrhoids:
- Try sitz baths.
- Use ice to relieve pain and inflammation.
- Try Tuck, ointments, or witch hazel to soothe discomfort and encourage healing.
- Sit on a pressure-relieving cushion, or unweight your anus and tailbone by putting rolled towels under both of your thighs.
Can you get hemorrhoids in your vagina?
No, you can’t get hemorrhoids (or piles) in your vagina. Hemorrhoids are swollen or inflamed veins in your anus and lower rectum. So, if you’re feeling a bulge, pressure, or pain in your vagina, it’s not a hemorrhoid.
Vaginal symptoms like pressure, pain, swelling, or bulging can have several different causes, including pelvic organ prolapse, vulvar varicosities, or even postpartum pelvic pain.
If you feel a bulge, pain, or pressure in your vagina – or you’re not sure whether what you’re feeling is a hemorrhoid or something else – it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor or a pelvic health physical therapist. They can help you figure out what is causing your symptoms and help you find relief.
When to see your doctor for hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids aren’t usually dangerous, but if your symptoms don’t improve with at home treatments, keep coming back, or are getting worse, see your doctors. And always have new or worsening rectal bleeding examined by your physician. They can rule out other causes and talk with you about other external and internal hemorrhoids treatment options like rubber band ligation, laser therapy, or injections.
Treating hemorrhoids with support from The V-Hive
For most people, hemorrhoids are annoying, but there are treatment options that can help. Simple at-home strategies like staying active, improving your bowel habits, drinking more water, and adding high-fiber foods to your diet can help take some pressure off your hardworking blood vessels. And if a hemorrhoid flare does happen, tools like ice, rest, and pressure-relieving cushions can help you feel more comfortable.
But when hemorrhoids feel like they’re making themselves at home, it may be time to take a closer look at your pelvic floor – and The V-Hive is here to help.
To learn to relax your pelvic floor for pain-free poops, try the V-Hive App. With on-demand pelvic health routines, you can learn how to support your pelvic floor, so it can support you, and your hemorrhoids.
