What to expect if you have hemorrhoids during pregnancy
There are two types of hemorrhoids: internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids. Each type of hemorrhoid can have different symptoms.
Internal hemorrhoids form inside your body, within the rectum. Because they are concealed in the rectum, they can be harder to diagnose. Some internal hemorrhoids can prolapse, meaning they extend outside of the anal opening.
Although internal hemorrhoids can cause bleeding, they typically don’t cause pain. This is because they are located in an area that doesn’t have nerve endings. However, if an internal hemorrhoid prolapses, it can be extremely painful.
External hemorrhoids form outside of your body. They’re located near the anus and covered by skin. This skin is extra-sensitive and can become inflamed.
An external hemorrhoid can hurt if it becomes swollen or develops a blood clot.
If a blood clot forms in a hemorrhoid, it can cause sudden, severe pain. The pain often gets worse within the first 48 hours, then improves over several days.
