Which doctor treats hemorrhoids in women? Who to contact?

Hundreds of patients face hemorrhoids every day. This delicate problem causes many unpleasant symptoms and reduces the quality of life. The causes of the disease include a sedentary lifestyle, pathologies associated with vascular dysfunction, intense physical activity and some other factors. Having encountered a problem, many patients do not know which doctor treats hemorrhoids. To make the correct diagnosis and choose the most effective treatment methods, it is important to understand which doctor to contact for hemorrhoids and how to properly prepare for the examination.

Disease concept

Before you figure out which doctor to go to with your problem, you should find out what hemorrhoids are? The pathology consists of damage to the veins of the rectum. In this case, the vessels are stretched, their integrity is disrupted, and cavernous formations appear that look like nodes or lumps. There are several types of disease. Among them, there is an internal or external type of pathology. In the first case, nodes appear on the inside of the rectum. In appearance, hemorrhoidal cones fall out through the anus. This process is accompanied by severe pain during bowel movements, bleeding, burning, and itching. In addition, lack of treatment often leads to complications such as vein thrombosis, proctitis, paraproctitis, anemia and others.

What are hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are a pathological condition of the veins that supply the rectum. In particular, the diagnosis is made when varicose veins, thrombosis or other inflammatory processes are observed in the hemorrhoidal vein.

This condition is accompanied by the formation of lumps on the walls of the vein, which extend beyond the border of the anal ring and turn the everyday life of an ordinary person into flour. It’s not for nothing that great difficulties in life began to be called hemorrhoids - this is one of the most painful and delicate diseases.

Varicose veins of the vein that wrap around the intestine disrupt the blood circulation of the pelvic organs, make defecation difficult, create discomfort when walking, and cause severe pain when trying to sit down. The sooner the specialist’s attention is drawn to the problem, the easier and more painless the treatment will be.

Why you need to go to the doctor

Like any other disease, hemorrhoids gradually progress, which causes the risk of developing certain complications. With grade 3 and 4 pathology, the patient may develop a severe inflammatory process, tissue suppuration, abscess, heavy bleeding, and wound infection. That is why you need to contact a specialist in the early stages of the disease. When the first signs appear, such as itching, burning, pain during bowel movements, sensation of a foreign body in the anus, you should make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible.

Important! A quick response to the problem and well-chosen conservative therapy will help to avoid serious complications and surgical treatment.

Reasons for the development of hemorrhoids in women

There are many reasons that can affect the development of hemorrhoids in women, including:

• pregnancy and childbirth;

During pregnancy, the size of the fetus constantly increases. There is strong pressure on the internal organs. The functionality of the digestive tract organs is disrupted, and as a result, hemorrhoids and other proctological diseases often develop. During labor, this disease is observed in most cases. Pushing causes irritation of the rectal mucosa, the integrity of the soft tissues is disrupted, which leads to the formation of anal fissures.

• anal sex;

Constant anal sex negatively affects the condition of the anus. The risk of infection and the development of inflammatory processes increases. Itching and burning appears in the anus, hemorrhoids form. If neoplasms were noticed earlier, their size is rapidly growing.

• poor nutrition;

A disrupted diet affects the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The intestinal microflora is disrupted, soft tissues are injured, and blood vessels are damaged. The patient begins to have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, which cause hemorrhoids. Regular constipation, which causes anal fissures, is considered especially dangerous.

• alcoholism;

Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages affects the functioning of the stomach and intestines. Intra-abdominal pressure increases, which affects the woman’s condition. Veins and vessels are affected, bleeding begins.

• excessive physical activity;

With increased physical activity, anal fissures form and the mucous membrane of the anus becomes inflamed. The patient feels pain on a constant basis. The pain syndrome intensifies especially when lifting weights and moving. The risk group includes teachers, conductors in public transport, gymnasts and athletes.

Hemorrhoids also appear in genetically predisposed people. Their body is weak from birth, so any disruption in the functionality of internal organs can affect the development of proctological disease.

Which specialist treats the disease?

Treatment of hemorrhoids for each patient is selected individually, depending on the diagnosis. Answering the question of which doctor treats hemorrhoids in women and men, it should be said that the main specialist dealing with the problem is a proctologist or coloproctologist. It is these specialists who are involved in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of pathologies that occur in the rectum.

The main specialist involved in the treatment of hemorrhoids is a proctologist

Indications for visiting a proctologist:

• all types of hemorrhoids;
• development of thrombosis of hemorrhoids;
• trauma to the anus and rectum;
• formations in the anus of a benign or malignant nature;
• formation of anal fissures;
• prolapse of hemorrhoidal cones;
• development of inflammation and other negative symptoms.

Coloproctologist and proctologist are specialists of the same profile. Therefore, if you suspect you have hemorrhoids, it is recommended to consult one of these doctors.

Why self-medication is unacceptable

There are no folk methods or harmless procedures that, as part of self-medication, could effectively help with the occurrence of hemorrhoid symptoms. If the patient takes a responsible approach to the issue of his health and seeks help at the first manifestations of the problem, it is possible to stop the development of the disease using conservative methods. Drugs that prevent the formation of blood clots and increase the rheological properties of blood will relieve inflammation in the lower parts of the hemorrhoidal vein.

Dosage forms for topical use in the form of a cream or ointment will help relieve pain at the initial stage. Some are aimed at constricting blood vessels and relieving swelling, while others contain lidocaine, which relieves the sensitivity of the inflamed area. You should not buy such drugs on your own, as they are selected individually, depending on the clinical picture. And the presence of an anesthetic is a direct contraindication for some patients, since not everyone can tolerate lidocaine. The longer a patient waits to see a doctor, the higher the likelihood of disease progression. This means that a delayed visit to a specialist will result in a surgical operation.

What is the competence of a proctologist?

Having found out that you should go to a proctologist with hemorrhoids, you need to figure out what role this specialist plays in the treatment of the disease.

Stages of examination by a proctologist:

1. Questioning the patient. The doctor gets acquainted with the patient’s medical history and verbally asks about the symptoms that worry the person.
2. Finger examination on a proctology chair. Making a preliminary diagnosis.
3. Purpose of instrumental diagnostic methods.
4. Making a diagnosis (type, degree and characteristics of the course of hemorrhoids).
5. Prescription of treatment.

The specialist gives the patient recommendations on how to prepare for instrumental diagnostics in order to obtain reliable research results.

The doctor who treats hemorrhoids and how the examination is performed

After the patient has decided which doctor to go to for hemorrhoids, he should make an appointment at the clinic. As a rule, at an appointment with a proctologist, a diagnosis of the rectum and anus is carried out. Before the initial examination, the medical specialist cleanses the patient’s intestines with an enema. An alternative to an enema can be laxatives.

The proctologist is interested in the patient’s medical history and asks questions about the intensity, frequency and nature of the pain. The doctor then reviews the medical record to obtain information about comorbidities. The patient lies on the couch in a supine position, presses his legs to his stomach, bending them at the knees. The medical expert disinfects the affected area with antiseptic drugs and inserts an anoscope into the anus. Using this device, the proctologist determines the size of hemorrhoidal cones and diagnoses the condition of the mucous membrane. As practice shows, after an initial examination it is almost impossible to establish an in-person diagnosis.

After the consultation, the proctologist refers the patient to undergo tests and diagnostic tests. You need to take a general test of blood, stool, and urine to obtain information about the internal indicators of the body. If there is a risk of an infectious disease, the patient is tested for the presence of viral infections, including immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B, C and others.

After passing the tests, the patient is sent for ultrasound diagnostics of the abdominal organs, undergoes radiography, and computed tomography. The proctologist determines the diagnosis and stage of the disease. After this, the patient is prescribed individual treatment. In the initial stages of the disease, suppositories, ointments and gels, and procedures are used. If we are talking about the third and fourth stages of hemorrhoids, then surgical intervention is performed.

Methods for diagnosing the disease

Hemorrhoids can be cured by making a correct diagnosis. For this, the patient may be prescribed instrumental research methods, which are carried out in the clinic. These include:

• sigmoidoscopy. This method allows you to examine the patient’s rectum and assess the condition of the mucous membrane using a special device equipped with a camera. The technique is painless; if necessary, the rectal area is anesthetized using local anesthesia;
• colonoscopy. The technique allows you to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon, and is prescribed to patients if the formation of tumors is suspected;
• anoscopy. The rectum is examined using an anoscope. In addition to the examination, using the instrument, the doctor can take a smear for research and, if necessary, administer medications;
• radiography. X-rays are prescribed if there are indications for it.

As prescribed by the doctor, the patient may be prescribed various instrumental research methods.

Each of the diagnostic methods is quite informative and allows an accurate diagnosis in 99% of cases.

Important! Usually, to make a diagnosis, it is enough to carry out one of the techniques; less often, the patient is prescribed several procedures at once.

Special Extras

Hemorrhoids today are no longer a problem exclusively for truckers. Not only drivers, but also successful office workers lead a sedentary lifestyle. This includes young people who prefer to communicate via the Internet instead of personal meetings and active pastime.

In addition, residents of modern cities are increasingly eating poorly. Affordable fast food dominates the daily diet, displacing plant-based and home-cooked foods. To prevent hemorrhoid symptoms, it is important to:

• To live an active lifestyle. Sedentary work should alternate with exercises.
• Make sure that every person’s diet includes fruits and vegetables, to avoid constipation.
• Do not abuse alcohol and get rid of nicotine addiction.

Stagnation of blood circulation in the rectum and the formation of blood clots directly depend on lifestyle, which means it is not difficult to protect yourself from one of the most unpleasant health problems.

How to prepare for an examination

The date for the examination of hemorrhoids for the patient is determined by the specialist. The doctor tells the patient in advance about the necessary preparation that will be needed to obtain the most accurate data:

• a few hours before the examination you must refuse food. The patient is advised to have dinner, but the next day to come to the doctor on an empty stomach;
• the day before, it is not recommended to eat foods that cause fermentation processes in the intestines; you should avoid cabbage, legumes, grapes, mushrooms, raisins and other dishes;
• Before the diagnosis, it is recommended to take a laxative and give a cleansing enema.

Before going to the hospital, a person is recommended to take with him a towel, gown, change of shoes, or purchase a special examination kit at the pharmacy. Simple preparation will help you make a diagnosis, select appropriate therapy, and quickly begin to treat the pathology.

Responsibilities of a coloproctologist surgeon

A coloproctologist-surgeon not only treats hemorrhoids, but also eliminates intestinal pathologies due to injuries and congenital diseases.

The doctor provides emergency or planned care if:

• hemorrhoids with complications;
• rectal fissures;
• intestinal polyps;
• paraproctitis;
• cysts and tumors.

The doctor’s task is to choose an effective treatment method, taking into account the diagnostic results and the general health of the patient. The choice of surgical intervention method is based on the relationship between the level of risk and predicting the development of the disease. The coloproctologist explains to the patient how to prepare for surgery, removes structures, eliminates cracks, and restores intestinal functionality. After the operation, a diet, dressings, local procedures, and medications are prescribed.

The responsibilities of a doctor in this specialization, in addition to seeing patients, include maintaining documentation, analyzing the effectiveness of his work, and improving his qualifications every 5 years. During retraining courses, the doctor gains knowledge about new therapeutic advances and drugs, and the capabilities of innovative diagnostic equipment.

If the hospital does not have a proctologist

What should patients do if there is no proctologist in the medical institution at their place of residence? Usually the disease in such cases is dealt with by a therapist. The doctor helps to select medications that will alleviate the patient’s condition. It cannot be said that a therapist can completely replace a proctologist and coloproctologist, but in a hopeless situation his help is necessary.

In addition to the therapist, in case of acute hemorrhoids with symptoms such as bleeding, prolapse of hemorrhoids, intense pain, a person can turn to a surgeon. This specialist will perform an examination and, if necessary, give a referral for surgical intervention.

The role of the surgeon in the treatment of hemorrhoids

Special attention in the treatment of hemorrhoids in men and women should be given to a surgeon with a narrow specialty. A proctologist surgeon deals exclusively with patients with problems of the anorectal area. Patients are referred to him for whom drug therapy has not brought the desired result and their health is constantly deteriorating.

The surgeon's responsibilities include:

• examination of the patient, oral conversation, which helps to clarify the chronology and features of the onset of symptoms;
• performing minimally invasive techniques aimed at removing hemorrhoids in an outpatient setting, after which patients immediately go home;
• performing surgeries in a hospital using techniques such as hemorrhoidectomy, hemorrhoidopexy;
• prescribing medication after surgery;
• monitoring the patient’s well-being and the healing of sutures after surgery.

A proctologist or therapist can refer a person to a surgeon. You can make an appointment with a doctor at your own request.

The surgeon plays an important role in the treatment of hemorrhoids

What other specialists treat the problem?

In addition to the proctologist and surgeon, during the treatment of hemorrhoids, the patient may need to consult other specialists.

Gynecologist

A woman is often prescribed an examination by a gynecologist, since hemorrhoids often cause complications in the reproductive system. Another reason for varicose veins of the rectum is pregnancy and childbirth. Every third woman suffers from the disease due to the pressure of the uterus on the pelvic organs, including the vessels of the rectum. The gynecologist will help you choose medications that are approved for use during this period so as not to harm the health of the mother and child.

Phlebologist

Since hemorrhoids are directly related to vascular pathology, a person with this disease is advised to be examined by a specialist who deals with venous diseases. Often the pathology is combined with varicose veins of the lower extremities. To restore the integrity of blood vessels, the phlebologist prescribes the necessary treatment. These can be drugs to strengthen vascular walls, restorative and venotonic drugs.

Gastroenterologist

A common cause of hemorrhoids is constipation. Treatment of any disease always involves eliminating the causes of the pathology. To treat constipation and other digestive tract disorders, the patient should consult a specialist called a gastroenterologist. The doctor helps to find out the cause of constipation and select therapy aimed at preventing it.

Comprehensive treatment of hemorrhoids involves examination by several doctors at once

Nutritionist

To choose a diet for an illness, a man or woman may need the help of a nutritionist. The doctor will adjust your diet, which will help prevent stool disorders and other digestive system disorders. This socialist plays an important role during the recovery period of the patient after surgery to remove hemorrhoids.

Important! In severe cases of the disease, the patient may need to visit all of the above specialists.

How is the examination carried out?

Proctologists treat hemorrhoids. If the district hospital does not have its own specialist, you should first contact a general practitioner, who, after listening to complaints, will give a referral to another medical institution or provide a card for treatment with a gynecologist.

The proctologist's appointment begins with listening to verbal complaints, which will be recorded in the patient's chart. After which the doctor will ask clarifying questions and begin the examination. It is important for him to see whether there are venous lumps outside the rectum, whether there are cracks in the skin, swelling and other signs of incipient hemorrhoids.

If the external examination does not give the doctor a complete picture, he can palpate the rectum, as well as prescribe conoloscopy and other examination methods.

Prescribing treatment does not mean that the patient, having received recommendations, will be able to overcome the disease. Conservative treatment methods require the same careful medical supervision as the recovery period after surgery. Therefore, it is important to visit a proctologist according to the schedule prescribed by him. This way, the doctor will be able to monitor the progress of treatment over time and, if necessary, make changes to the prescribed therapy.

Which doctor should I contact for late-stage hemorrhoids?

The patient is referred by a proctologist for a consultation with a surgeon if treatment with pharmacological agents has no effect, or if a late stage of the disease is detected during the initial visit. This can be either a narrow specialist - a coloproctologist surgeon, or a general surgeon.

An examination by a proctologist is recommended if you are concerned about the following symptoms: pain, rectal bleeding, sensation of a foreign body in the rectum, heaviness in the pelvic or rectal area.

He examines the patient, taking into account the information received from the proctologist. Based on the data, the surgeon determines the feasibility of the operation and draws up a plan.

Planning the operation may include a detailed examination and consultation with a phlebologist - a specialist in vein disease. He evaluates the blood flow in the veins of the hemorrhoidal plexus, the condition of the vessels, and may prescribe contrast angiography.

In the later stages of hemorrhoids, a surgeon performs treatment

For hemorrhoids, both minimally invasive interventions are performed on an outpatient basis, after which the patient will soon be able to return to a normal lifestyle, as well as massive surgical operations for life-saving reasons. Where possible, preference is given to the first category, which includes:

• ligation with latex rings - the method involves putting a special elastic ring on the base of the hemorrhoid. The ring compresses the vessels, impairs blood flow in the hemorrhoidal veins, which is why the node is rejected on its own;
• disarterization of hemorrhoids . During this manipulation, an artery is sutured, which carries blood to the congested vein;
• sclerotherapy . A substance is injected into the vessels of the rectum, which provokes the growth of connective tissue. When the lumen closes, blood does not flow into the swollen nodes;
• photo- and electrocoagulation – cauterization of hemorrhoids using a heat ray or electric arc. Effective in stopping bleeding and treating stage 2 and 3 hemorrhoids.

Often, it is the gynecologist who becomes the first doctor whom the patient turns to for hemorrhoids; in other cases, hemorrhoids can be discovered during a routine gynecological examination.

Invasive methods include:

• radical excision of hemorrhoids according to Milligan-Morgan . The surgical intervention, which has acquired many modifications since its invention, consists of complete removal of hemorrhoids, followed by coagulation and suturing of blood vessels.
• Operation according to Longo . This is a less traumatic version of the previous operation, which requires a device that works on the principle of a stapler. After excision of the nodes, the hanging mucosa is attached to solid tissues with special staples, and the lumen of the vessels narrows.

If there is no necessary specialist in the locality, then a local physician can conduct an examination and prescribe medication for hemorrhoids. An emergency physician can stop bleeding from hemorrhoids. A gynecologist, proctologist, phlebologist, surgeon - any of these doctors will provide assistance, the main thing is to seek help in a timely manner.

Expert opinion

Anorectal fissure in a child is a relatively favorable condition compared to adults. If you seek specialized help in a timely manner, the problem can be eliminated conservatively in a short time. Due to the good ability to restore the mucous membrane in children, therapy can take only 4-5 days. The main thing is not to ignore the first signs of the disease. Otherwise, an acute crack becomes chronic, becomes a cause of daily discomfort for the patient, and requires surgical intervention.

Prevention

To prevent the development of problems with the rectum, the prevention of hemorrhoids in women is very important. It includes:

• eating healthy foods rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals;
• physical activity in the form of gymnastics, walking or cycling;
• absence of heavy loads on blood vessels - lifting heavy objects or staying in one position for a long time;
• maintaining perineal hygiene.

In order for the prevention of hemorrhoids in women to “work” in the right direction, it is recommended not to get carried away with diets, and also to normalize stool as much as possible. This will require drinking more fluids (at least 2 liters per day, including juices and teas) and eating regularly.