An Overview of Thrombosed Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids inside the anal canal usually do not hurt, but those just outside generally do.
Bleeding may occur when a bowel movement passes through the anal canal and ruptures the hemorrhoid in the process. This means bleeding and, possibly, pain. Some hemorrhoids protrude from the anus even if they are inside the anal canal. Most can be pushed back in with a finger, but they will most likely reappear with the next bowel movement.

There are four different 'grades' of hemorrhoids as classified by doctors. Each has its own symptoms and characteristics. They are as follows:

* First Degree Hemorrhoids - Bleeding hemorrhoids.

* Second Degree Hemorrhoids - Hemorrhoids that may or may not bleed and protrude from the anal canal but draw back in of their own accord.

* Third Degree Hemorrhoids - Hemorrhoids that protrude from the anal canal but must be pushed in manually.

* Fourth Degree Hemorrhoids - Hemorrhoids that protrude from the anal canal, do not retract of their own accord, and cannot be pushed in manually.

These may contain blood clots or pull lining of the rectum through the anus.

Baby hemorrhoids are a common thing and one of the many uncomfortable symptoms of pregnancy. These are not hemorrhoids on the baby, but hemorrhoids that the mother to be gets during the 10 months of pregnancy. Even the woman who has never gotten hemorrhoids in the past can experience them during pregnancy, so it's best to be forewarned.

Why do hemorrhoids occur so frequently in pregnant women? Hemorrhoids are caused by undue pressure on the veins in your rectum and intestines below the level of your uterus. When you are pregnant, the growing baby increases the pressure on those veins and arteries. This can cause hemorrhoids and clotting as well as varicose vein and other pressure related problems.

Constipation is another problem common to pregnancy and also a leading cause of hemorrhoids. Should hemorrhoids be caused by the pressure of the baby in the uterus, then constipation can aggravate the situation, inflaming hemorrhoids and possibly causing them to rupture and bleed. It is the straining during constipation that causes the anal canal to push out hemorrhoids instead of the bowel movement - or both.

Another reason why pregnant women often end up with hemorrhoids is the same reason why they exhibit wild mood swings and nausea - hormones. The increased progesterone during pregnancy causes a breakdown in the protection mechanism in veins that usually slow or stop swelling. The walls relax and there's nothing to stop the swelling. Progesterone also contributes to constipation, which as shown above, causes hemorrhoids and makes existing hemorrhoids even worse.

Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are par for the course. There is no need to call your doctor unless you are bleeding. Do check in before using steroid treatments and over the counter medications. Try a sitz bath instead or a poultice.