Is there such thing as vaginal hemorrhoids? Many are wondering if hemorrhoids exist in the vagina. This is perhaps because of two things.
Identity Confusion
One is that hemorrhoids can occupy most of the rectal area that some of them may border the vaginal area, hence, the term vaginal hemorrhoids. Another thing is some vaginal conditions, especially those that relate with pregnancy, may mimic the hemorrhoidal symptoms such as bleeding, itching, and painful swelling of the veins. Examples of such condition are vaginal varicose veins and vaginal warts.
What contributes to the identity confusion is that some medical personnel are using the term to refer to other conditions of the vagina with the same symptoms as hemorrhoids. Perhaps, such label is the easiest to use without eliciting further explanation requests from the patients.
The thing is, the vagina is not the territory of hemorrhoids; only the areas the surround the rectum and anus are. You should refrain from attributing anything that occurs in the vaginal territory to hemorrhoids. Hence, if you notice hemorrhoid symptoms in your vaginal area, have your physician diagnose it to determine the specific condition that you have.
Hemorrhoid Facts
To better understand why the answer is no to ‘Is there such thing as vaginal hemorrhoids’, here are some essential facts about the disease.
•The condition occur only in the areas surrounding the rectum and anus, considering the blood flow on these areas. Veins located in the rectal and anal areas help in making the passing of stool easy, smooth, and comfortable.
However, these same veins are also susceptible to inflammation, that when there is an increase or spike in the blood pressure, these veins swell leading to the development of hemorrhoids that can be either internal or external.
Other conditions that stimulate the development of hemorrhoidal disease are the following: constipation, diarrhea, and pregnancy. These conditions increase the tension and pressure around the rectum and anus.
•Hemorrhoids occur because of the condition of your rectal veins, and not your vaginal veins. While both rectal and vaginal veins may swell, the swelling does not automatically classify swollen vaginal veins as hemorrhoids. Swelling of the vaginal veins usually happens to women reaching their mid-life, and to those who are pregnant.
•Hemorrhoids can happen to both men and women, young and old, and especially to those with the following risk factors or triggers: obesity and excess weight, pregnancy, lack of fiber in the diet and poor nutrition, lack of exercise, lifting of heavy weight, irregular bowel movement, and excessive consumption of alcoholic and caffeinated drinks.
•Hemorrhoids can grow in size and number without essential treatment. Symptoms can also get worse. Therefore, even if it does not bother you, it is still crucial to get the right treatment. At its worse, this condition can be extremely painful and discomforting.
Is there such thing as vaginal hemorrhoids? You now know that there is none, and therefore anything that resembles hemorrhoids and its symptoms in your vaginal area, the best thing to do is to get a reliable diagnosis from your physician.