Haemorrhoids are most probably the least likely talked about subject amongst women!
I can remember after giving birth to my little man, that the haemorrhoids from pushing during labour, were way more sore than my episiotomy! Why did no-one warn me? And once they have occurred, it is easier for them to come back, if we aren’t careful about our toileting technique.
Often, when I see ladies who are struggling with constipation and an overactive pelvic floor, they also struggle with haemorrhoids. And haemorrhoids are a real struggle; painful and irritating!
The good news is: there is a lot we can do to prevent them from coming back and bothering us again! There are even easy changes you can make right now, that should ease your suffering.
Our toilet posture, and the way we push on the toilet, is so important in managing haemorrhoids. Staying on top of any constipation is also key! And sometimes, that means taking a natural stool softener, if you need some extra assistance.
The best toilet posture is sitting on the toilet with our feet raised up on a stool so that our knees are higher than our hips. This helps the pelvic floor to relax and the poo to come out without much work on our part. Excessive straining (pushing while holding our breath) also increases our risk of haemorrhoids. So the best way to work out that poo is with your breath; big breathe in and push on the breathe out.
I would also recommend an appointment with a pelvic health physio for a more in-depth look at the pelvic floor muscles and how you are managing your intra-abdominal pressure.
Ladies, I urge you to talk about these things and seek help. It may seem a daunting thing to do, but the relief is worth it.