A 28-year-old woman is 3 weeks postpartum with painful haemorrhoids and constipation. She has no rectal bleeding apart from spotting on wiping and no

Question

A 28-year-old woman is 3 weeks postpartum with painful haemorrhoids and constipation. She has no rectal bleeding apart from spotting on wiping and no systemic symptoms. Examination shows external haemorrhoids. What is the most appropriate management?

Accepted Answer

Advise stool softening, fluids, fibre and topical symptom relief

Answer

Refer for immediate haemorrhoidectomy

Answer

Arrange urgent colonoscopy as first-line management

Answer

Prescribe long-term opioid analgesia

Answer

Advise avoiding fluids to reduce stool frequency

Postpartum haemorrhoids — DRCOG MCQ

A 28-year-old woman is 3 weeks postpartum with painful haemorrhoids and constipation. She has no rectal bleeding apart from spotting on wiping and no systemic symptoms. Examination shows external haemorrhoids. What is the most appropriate management?