Piles is a common condition that affects many people, including women. Piles or hemorrhoids are common in people but only become noticeable when they become inflamed or enlarged, causing discomfort and pain. This can result from several factors, such as a sedentary lifestyle, pregnancy, constipation, and obesity.
In women, piles can be particularly painful and humiliating, causing pain and discomfort during the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, and during childbirth. In addition, it may be challenging for women to ask for assistance and support due to the stigma associated with piles. But piles can be effectively managed, and even prevented, with the proper treatment and attention, giving women a better quality of life.
Severe cases may need medical attention, such as surgical removal, while mild cases can be managed with lifestyle modifications.
What are Piles in Women?
Hemorrhoids, or piles, may affect both sexes. However, because pregnancy and childbirth put pressure on the veins in the rectal area, they can make women more susceptible to developing piles. In addition, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and a low-fiber diet can raise a woman’s risk of developing piles.
Although piles can develop at any age, they are more common in pregnancy, affecting between 25% and 35% of women, particularly in the third trimester.
Understanding Different Types and Pile Symptoms in Females (Women)
Piles in women can be classified into several types based on the location and severity of swollen veins in the anal area. To diagnose piles quickly and treat them effectively, one must be aware of their various forms. The different kinds of piles consist of:
- External hemorrhoids: These are extremely uncomfortable swollen lumps that are visible from the outside. These hemorrhoids frequently hurt when sitting, urinating, or engaging in regular physical activity.
- Internal hemorrhoids: Since they develop inside the rectum, they are invisible from the outside. Often, no apparent symptoms are there.
But they can be forced out of the anal opening if they are subjected to pressure and friction repeatedly; this condition is called prolapsed hemorrhoids.
- Prolapsed hemorrhoids: internal hemorrhoids that push out are referred to as prolapsed hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids can be divided into the following grades based on how severe they are:
- Grade 1 Hemorrhoids: The hemorrhoids of this type are located within the anal canal. They are usually small, inflame very little, and are often painless. Females with this type of piles may experience painless bleeding after having a bowel movement.
- Grade 2 Hemorrhoids: Swelling is more noticeable than in Grade 1. The swelling may bulge outward during bowel movements, but it eventually returns to its original position on its own.
- Grade 3 Hemorrhoids: This grade is characterized by swelling outside the anal opening, which makes a lump visible. Hemorrhoids that prolapse need to be manually pushed back into place with the fingertips.
- Grade 4 Hemorrhoids: This advanced stage is characterized by a noticeable outward bulge and possible protrusion from the rectum. Forced repositioning fails to keep them in place. This condition may or may not be accompanied by bleeding, and pain may develop if clotting happens or if the hemorrhoids become constricted by the anal opening.
- Thrombosed hemorrhoids: These hemorrhoids form a blood clot, or “thrombus,” inside of themselves. These are very painful. If pain is not relieved by conservative treatment, blood clot removal, and drainage, also known as “thrombectomy,” is typically performed to provide relief.
Piles never get better on their own. With time these will worsen for sure and progress from Grade I to Grade IV which may result in infection, strangulation of Pile mass, or thrombosis which may need emergency surgery so it is always advisable to get Piles in Females treated at their earliest.
Symptoms of Piles in Females:
Hemorrhoids are asymptomatic and painless in about 40% of cases. However, the following early signs of piles in female patients are observed in the remaining 60% of patients:
- Rectal Bleeding: In females with first-grade internal piles, painless rectal bleeding is a common symptom. As a result, bright red blood might show up on the stools’ surfaces, the toilet paper, or the toilet bowl. Bleeding should be treated as soon as possible by a doctor who specializes in piles because it can be severe enough to cause the patient to faint from low blood pressure.
- Pain and Discomfort: When a woman has thrombosed piles, it can cause intense pain and discomfort, particularly when it comes to bowel movements. The condition may worsen due to external factors like extended sitting or activities that apply pressure to the affected area.
- Itching and Irritation: Swollen veins in the rectum and anus may cause an itchy and irritating sensation. When a woman has hemorrhoids, her quality of life may be negatively impacted by this persistent discomfort.
- Inflammation and Swelling: Hemorrhoids may cause lumps or edema to develop around the anus. Inflammation may accompany this, which makes sitting and moving around uncomfortable.
- Protrusion or Prolapse: Severe cases (3rd and 4th-grade internal hemorrhoids) may cause internal piles to protrude or prolapse during bowel movements outside the anal opening. This may be associated with an external lump or a sensation of fullness.
- Mucous Discharge: Some females with piles may have mucous discharge from their rectum. This discharge can add to a feeling of wetness and discomfort and is typically linked to 4th-grade internal hemorrhoids.
- Pain during physical activity or while sitting: Hemorrhoids can be uncomfortable or painful during physical activity or sitting, especially if the piles are prolapsed or thrombosed.
- Pain and discomfort during sexual activity: Women may occasionally feel pain and discomfort during sexual activity, which may be brought on by the pressure of their hemorrhoids pressing against the vaginal wall.
- Incomplete Bowel Movements: A feeling of incomplete evacuation can result from piles interfering with regular bowel movements. This may intensify the symptoms of hemorrhoids and start a vicious cycle of straining.
Common Causes of Piles in Females (Women):
The cause of piles is usually increased pressure in the lower rectum and anal space, which pushes veins outward and causes them to enlarge into lumps. Hemorrhoids in women are frequently caused by the following:
- Straining while passing stools causes increased pressure on veins in the lower rectum and anus. This causes inflammation and swelling of the veins, which eventually leads to hemorrhoids.
- Constipation: this condition increases the risk of hemorrhoids, causes straining during bowel movements, and causes uncomfortable in the veins surrounding the rectum.
- Prolonged sitting or standing: Women who sit or stand for extended periods may experience restricted blood flow in their lower bodies, which can lead to vein enlargement and swelling.
- A diet lacking in fiber: Increasing the water content of stools through fiber helps them become larger and thus easy to pass. A diet low in fiber can cause constipation, which contributes to piles.
- Hormonal Fluctuations: During menstruation and pregnancy, hormonal fluctuations may affect blood vessel integrity, increasing the risk of edema and hemorrhoid formation.
- Pregnancy and Increased Pressure: Women experience piles most frequently during pregnancy because the baby presses against the pelvic region as it descends into the pelvic cavity at around 36 weeks. This pressure causes the anal and rectal blood vessels to enlarge, which in turn causes the formation of piles.
- Straining during labor and delivery: Hemorrhoids can develop because of strain during labor and delivery.
- Hereditary Predisposition: Hemorrhoids may be inherited by certain females. People may be more likely to develop the condition themselves if there is a family history of it.
- Excessive weightlifting: Lifting weights too much can put pressure on the lower body, which can cause piles to develop.
- Being overweight or leading a sedentary lifestyle: Being inactive can slow metabolism, which in turn causes constipation—a condition that can eventually result in piles.
- Diarrhea: In females, this is another major cause of piles. Hemorrhoids can become more irritated and swollen due to frequent or prolonged episodes of diarrhea, which can enhance discomfort and inflammation.
- Aging: Although they can affect people of any age, hemorrhoids are more common in those over 50.
Ksharsutra treatment for Piles in females is a non-invasive treatment requiring no hospitalization or bed rest, the patient can resume her normal routine activities on the same day of treatment. It is an effective, even permanent fix of the Piles in females. Complications are rare and not usually serious.
Diagnosing Piles in Females (Women):
Piles in women usually get diagnosed through a physical examination by a physician. When a patient is suspected of having piles, the doctor will closely inspect their anus. Before proceeding, the doctor will inquire about the following:
- History of piles in the family
- Changes in bowel movements;
- Blood or mucus in the stools
- Recent weight loss;
For female internal piles, the physician may utilize a proctoscope or a digital rectal examination (DRE). A proctoscope is a hollow tube with a light inside that gives the doctor a close-up view of the anal canal. A tiny tissue sample from inside the rectum may also be taken for additional analysis.
If the patient has symptoms of another digestive system illness or exhibits any risk factors for colorectal cancer, the proctologist might recommend a colonoscopy.
Treatment Options for Piles in Women:
There are a few non-surgical treatment options for piles in women, though surgery might be required in severe cases. These include over-the-counter medicines, home remedies, and changes in diet to help control the symptoms and promote healing.
Home Remedies for Piles in Women
Although there are medical treatments for female piles, some women find that using home remedies for piles helps to reduce their symptoms. Following are a few home remedies for female piles:
- Sitz bath: 1-2 times a day, the affected anal region needs to be soaked in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. The muscles in and around the anal region can be relaxed and blood flow can be enhanced with a Sitz Bath. Go to How to Take a Sitz Bath: Procedure and Benefits to find out how to do that.
- Over-the-counter remedies: To help ease pain and discomfort fast, you can buy a soothing ointment.
- Stool softeners: these medications can ease constipation and facilitate bowel movements, lowering the chances of straining and aggravating the anal area further.
- Pelvic floor exercises, or Kegels: Kegel exercises can strengthen the muscles in the pelvic floor, providing additional support for the veins in the lower abdomen.
- Try not to strain when using your toilet.
- Avoid medication that causes diarrhea and constipation;
- Engage in regular exercise
Dietary Changes for Piles in Women
- A high-fiber diet can prevent constipation and promote regular bowel movements in women with piles (hemorrhoids). Fiber-rich foods include:
- Fruits like pears, berries, and prunes.
- Vegetables: broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, leafy greens, etc.
- Whole grains, such as oatmeal and brown rice
- Legumes high in fiber include lentils, chickpeas, and beans.
- Keeping yourself hydrated with lots of water and other liquids is just as important as eating enough fiber.
- Reducing your intake of processed, fried, and spicy foods can also help ease pile symptoms.
Non-surgical medical treatments for Piles in women:
If none of the aforementioned home treatments work, you should consult a physician immediately. Certain non-surgical medical treatments may be recommended by your doctor, such as:
- Electrotherapy: An electric current is used to cause the piles to shrink.
- Sclerotherapy: The size of the piles is reduced by injecting a liquid into them.
- Infrared coagulation: In this technique, hemorrhoids are made smaller by cutting off their blood supply with infrared light.
- Rubber band ligation: Using rubber bands and a tiny instrument known as a ligator, this technique cuts off the hemorrhoids’ blood supply, causing them to shrink and fall off.
- Cryotherapy: Applying freezing temperatures to tissues for therapeutic purposes results in tissue destruction.
- Doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation: This treatment causes fibrosis (shrinkage) by cutting off the artery supply to the rectum and anal canal.
- Kshar Karma Treatment for Piles in Women: The unique ayurvedic drug Kshara is applied in the anal passage at the site of pile masses as part of this treatment. The bleeding stops and the pile shrinks when Kshar is applied. Kshar karma treatment is advised for females with first- and early-stage internal hemorrhoids.
Surgical Treatment of Piles in Women:
If non-surgical treatments do not work for hemorrhoids, surgery might be necessary. Surgical methods for treating hemorrhoids in women include the following:
- Hemorrhoidectomy: This treatment eliminates hemorrhoids that have prolapsed internally or externally. Surgery to excise hemorrhoid(s) may be the only effective course of action when banding or other treatments are ineffective in treating a grade 3 or 4 pile. The process is carried out under general anesthesia. On the other hand, the days that follow the procedure may be extremely painful.
- Stapled Haemorrhoidectomy: Using a stapling tool, internal hemorrhoids are either pulled back into the anus or removed entirely. A circular stapling gun is used to remove a circular portion of the anal canal lining above the piles. The piles are consequently drawn back up in the anal passage.
- Laser Surgery: Hemorrhoids can be made smaller by using laser surgery, which involves cutting off the hemorrhoids’ blood supply.
However, because of the potential complications that may affect the developing fetus or the mother, they are not recommended for pregnant women. The third trimester of pregnancy carries a higher risk of these complications than the preceding trimesters.
- Ksharsutra Treatment for Female Piles: The Ksharsutra treatment involves ligating a medicated thread at the base of the mass of piles. It stops the blood flow to the pile mass, causing it to shed in a week or ten days. It is recommended that men with late-stage internal piles (stages two, three, and four) receive Ksharsutra treatment.
Benefits Of Ksharsutra Treatment for Piles in Females
Benefits of Ksharsutra Treatment for female piles include the following:
- No hospital stay is necessary;
- Less pain than other surgical procedures for female piles;
- Safer and more effective course of treatment
- Less bleeding during the procedure;
- Quick healing;
- A shorter recovery period;
- No cuts, open wounds, or sutures;
- Early return to activities;
- Less time is needed to treat women’s piles;
- Success rate is higher;
- Follow-up visits are fewer;
- There is no or very little chance of post-surgical infections;
- There is no or very little tissue damage
Prevention of Piles in Women
Adopting certain healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent piles in women. Some preventative measures against piles in women are listed below. Women who already have piles can also benefit from these. Some examples include:
- Avoid spending too much time sitting on the toilet: Prolonged sitting puts needless strain on the veins in and around the anus, increasing the likelihood that women may develop piles.
- Avoid straining: One major reason why women get piles is straining during bowel movements. In other words, try not to strain too much and just use light pressure.
- Quickly Attend to Bowel Urges: To avoid stool hardening and reduce the chance of straining, respond quickly to the urge to have a bowel movement.
- Customize your diet: The consistency of your stool is influenced by your diet. Constipation can result from hard stools, and when this happens, the pressure from passing feces increases significantly, increasing the chances of developing piles. You can reduce your chances of constipation and prevent piles by maintaining a healthy diet and drinking lots of water. A diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is recommended. It is essential to incorporate foods high in fiber into the diet. Isabgol and Triphala are two popular Ayurvedic fiber supplements.
- Exercise: Keep yourself moving to avoid constipation and to release vein pressure from long-standing or sitting. Exercising can also help in weight loss, which could be the cause of your hemorrhoids.
- Kegel exercises: These exercises are especially helpful for women because they strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, supporting the rectal veins and reducing the risk of hemorrhoids.
- Keep a healthy weight: Overweight and obesity can raise the risk of hemorrhoids. Therefore, be mindful of your weight.
- Avoid heavy lifting: Abstaining from heavy lifting can help relieve hemorrhoids by putting away strain from the rectum and anus veins.
- Practice good hygiene: It is important to keep the anal region dry and clean to prevent piles in women. It is advised to clean the area with mild, fragrance-free wipes or just water after having a bowel movement.
- Mindful Eating: Avoid difficult-to-digest foods, especially if you are expecting. These foods tend to cause hemorrhoids due to their excessive pressure on the anus. To reduce strain, choose foods that are simple to digest.
- Refrain from sitting for too long: Prolonged sitting puts undue strain on the veins in and around the anus. This makes pile development more likely.
Complications of Delayed Piles Treatment in Women:
A woman’s quality of life may be considerably negatively affected by many complications that can arise from piles if treatment is not received. To prevent and treat piles, it is important for women to be aware of the risks involved and to seek medical assistance if they show any symptom. Some of the complications are:
- The disease gets worse from Grade I to Grade IV
- Thrombosis: A blood clot inside the hemorrhoid causes excruciating pain and swelling.
- Infection: A hemorrhoid infection may result in fever, chills, and excruciating pain.
- Strangulation: This is a condition in which the hemorrhoid gets stuck outside the anal opening, cutting off its blood supply and resulting in excruciating pain and tissue death.
- Anemia: prolonged hemorrhoid bleeding can result in anemia, a low red blood cell count that can exacerbate weakness and fatigue.
- Psychological distress: Anxiety, depression, and social isolation can result from persistent hemorrhoid symptoms, such as pain, bleeding, and itching.
- Fecal incontinence: The muscles that regulate bowel function can weaken because of repeated straining during bowel movements, resulting in involuntary bowel movements.
Piles in Pregnant Women
Pregnant women are more susceptible to hemorrhoids, particularly in the third trimester or in the days following delivery. The following are the most typical causes of piles in women:
About half of pregnant women experience hemorrhoids. The main cause is increased blood volume during pregnancy and the resulting vein swelling.
Constipation is another factor contributing to piles in pregnant women. Reduced gut motility during constipation causes a slowdown in bowel movement. This occurs because of the progesterone hormone levels rising during pregnancy.
The mother may experience piles in the days after giving birth if the delivery is extremely stressful. But by making a few lifestyle modifications, this uncomfortable period in pregnancy can be avoided.
Click Pile During Pregnancy to read in detail.
Who is the Best Piles Specialist in Delhi NCR?
Hemorrhoids are very common, affecting 40–50% of the population. Even after trying home remedies and making necessary lifestyle changes, piles symptoms in females can be serious at times.
Piles To Smiles is the best option if you’re looking for a piles clinic in Delhi NCR. You can find the Best Doctor for Piles in Delhi NCR at this specialized AnoRectal Treatment Center, which offers non-surgical or minimal surgical treatment for AnoRectal health problems like piles, fistula, fissure, pilonidal sinus, etc.
It is always advisable for patients to consult with a Piles specialist if their hemorrhoids do not go away after a week. Female patients with different kinds of piles, especially those that occur during pregnancy and after childbirth, can be treated by qualified pile surgeons. Schedule a consultation with our top-rated Piles Doctor to receive more details or customized treatment.
Faqs about Piles in women
Yes, piles can affect women as well. Constipation, straining during defecation, prolonged sitting on a toilet seat, excessive weightlifting, pregnancy, or vaginal delivery are the causes of piles in women.
The following factors may contribute to piles in females:
- Straining during bowel movements;
- Chronic constipation or diarrhea;
- Pregnancy;
- Obesity;
- Prolonged sitting or standing;
- Aging
Yes, for females, pregnancy is a risk factor for piles. Hormonal changes, weight gain leading to increased abdominal pressure, and increased pressure on the rectum and anal area from the growing fetus are the reasons for piles during pregnancy.
Hormonal changes, weight gain, and increased pressure on the rectum from the growing fetus are the main causes of piles in pregnant women.
No, the idea that piles will disappear on their own in a few days is one of the biggest lies. The truth is that Piles only get worse with time if they are not treated promptly.
Due to their low fiber content, processed, unhealthy, and spicy foods, as well as deep-fried foods, may cause piles in women. They also make piles worse by making digestion difficult and causing constipation.
Stress causes abnormal gut function and elevated blood pressure, both of which can lead to piles in females.
The following are some of the symptoms of piles in females:
- Swelling or a lump;
- Itching or irritation;
- Pain or discomfort;
- Bleeding during bowel movements that may be seen in the toilet bowl or on toilet paper;
- Mucus discharge.
First-degree hemorrhoids, or first-stage woman piles, are not visible from outside the anus. Usually, they result in minor symptoms like painless bleeding during a bowel movement.
If there is blood after your bowel movement, lump-type feeling around the anus, itchiness in the anus, and mucus even after wiping with tissues are some of the indications to note for piles.
No, piles are not dangerous or life-threatening. However, piles can be extremely uncomfortable and painful, and they can worsen over time, so it’s best to get treatment for them as soon as possible.
Yes, piles in females can affect marital life. Increased blood flow and arousal following sex naturally raise pressure in and around the anal region. Such elevated pressure could make piles worse.
Female piles can result in increased pain, infection, and bleeding that can cause anemia, thrombosis, and strangulation of the pile mass if left untreated.
Yes, it is possible to fully cure female piles. While closed/open hemorrhoidectomy, laser treatment, and Ksharsutra ligation of the pile mass are advised in the third and fourth grades, diet, and lifestyle modifications, sclerotherapy, infrared coagulation, rubber band ligation, and Kshar Karma are advised in the first and second grades.
Certain lifestyle modifications can provide relief from mild hemorrhoid symptoms, including first- and early second-grade hemorrhoids, in as little as two to seven days. These adjustments include increasing water intake and consuming foods high in fiber. The healing process may take longer in certain advanced cases, such as third and fourth-grade hemorrhoids.
Fruits that are good for piles include raspberries, pears, pineapple, and papaya. These are healthy sources of dietary fiber, which makes stools bulkier and easier to pass.
Hemorrhoids can be avoided by eating a high-fiber diet, drinking plenty of water, avoiding extended periods of sitting or standing and adopting healthy bathroom practices like not straining during bowel movements.
Pelvic muscle exercises help in the prevention and treatment of piles. The following yoga poses can help with improved blood circulation in the rectal area: Adho Mukha Svanasana, Balasana, Pawanmuktasana, Malasana, Mulabandhasana, Baddha Konasana, Ardha matsyendrasana, Viparita Karani.
No, self-diagnosing any medical condition—including female piles, or hemorrhoids—is not appropriate. A medical examination by an experienced proctologist is necessary for a correct diagnosis because piles can have a variety of symptoms and severity levels, and other conditions can also have symptoms that are similar to piles.
Understanding piles in women is essential for recognizing and managing this common condition.
- A proctologist will usually perform a physical examination of the rectum and anus to diagnose piles in women.
- During the examination, the physician may look inside the rectum and anal canal using a gloved finger or an anoscope, a tiny tube with a light.
- A sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, which allows the physician to examine the entire length of the colon and rectum, may be required in some cases.
- If bleeding is present in conjunction with the piles, the physician may also suggest additional testing, such as a stool culture or a fecal occult blood test, to rule out other potential causes of bleeding.
Some quick remedies for piles include using hemorrhoid creams, having a warm hip bath, and avoiding constipation and straining during defecation.
Gynecologists can treat female patients with first- and second-grade hemorrhoids because they are easily controlled with dietary and lifestyle modifications. Gynecologists are not qualified to treat female patients with advanced hemorrhoids (3rd and 4th grade hemorrhoids).
However, for the treatment of piles in females, it is best to contact proctologists.
Pregnant women should avoid piles surgery because it requires anesthesia, which could harm the developing fetus. In addition, there is a risk of bleeding, infection, and other issues that make piles surgery unsafe to undergo while pregnant.
