Want more iVillage? Sign up for our
Newsletters
Hemorrhoids
- Topic Overview
-
Health Tools
- Cause
- Symptoms
- What Happens
- What Increases Your Risk
- When To Call a Doctor
- Exams and Tests
- Treatment Overview
- Prevention
- Home Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Other Treatment
- Other Places To Get Help
- Related Information
- References
- Credits
Hemorrhoids are usually caused by increased pressure on the veins in the pelvic and rectal area. As pressure increases, blood pools in veins and causes them to swell. Eventually, the swollen veins stretch the surrounding tissue, and hemorrhoids develop.
Bowel habits that can cause increased pressure and lead to the development of hemorrhoids include:
- Rushing to complete a bowel movement. Hurrying can lead to excessive straining and increase pressure on rectal veins.
- Persistent diarrhea or constipation, which may cause straining and increase pressure on veins in the anal canal.
Other factors that can lead to the development of hemorrhoids include:
- Being overweight. Excess weight, especially in the abdomen and pelvis, may increase pressure on pelvic veins.
- Pregnancy and labor. Hormonal changes during pregnancy increase blood flow to the pelvis and relax supportive tissues while the growing fetus causes increased pressure on blood vessels. During labor, hemorrhoids may develop because of the intense pressure on the anal area while pushing to deliver the baby.
- Medical conditions. For example, long-term heart and liver disease may cause blood to pool in the abdomen and pelvic area, enlarging the veins.
- Tumors in the pelvic area. These occur very rarely.
| Author: | Monica Rhodes | Last Updated: September 29, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Brent Shoji, MD - General Surgery | |
© 1995-2009 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
from
- 9 nastiest things in your supermarket
- Facebook is now fueling organ donations
- Military women and suicide: Home safe but not sound
- Still in gear: Injuries don’t stop veterans on 100-day bike trek
- Ask Jenna: I've hit a weight loss plateau. What do I do?
- He poses in a tutu to laugh in face of wife's cancer
The iVillage Network