The Effect of Oral Psyllium Herbal Laxative Powder in Prevention of Hemorrhoids and Anal Fissure during Pregnancy, a Randomized Double Blind Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background Pregnancy and delivery make susceptible women to hemorrhoidal disease and fissure during pregnancy because of an increase in abdominal pressure and constipation. Objectives We aimed to determine the preventative effect of psyllium powder (herbal laxative) on constipation, anal fissure and hemorrhoidal diseases during pregnancy. Patients and Methods Regarding the properties of oral psyllium powder, in this study, we aimed to determine the preventative effect of psyllium powder on constipation, anal fissure and hemorrhoidal diseases during pregnancy. This is a randomized clinical trial. All primigravid women, aging 20-30, at the onset of 3rd trimester who referred to OB clinic of Shiraz university of medical sciences were divided into two groups. Treatment group received psyllium powder twice daily while control group received placebo. All cases were evaluated two times before delivery and occurrence of constipation and fissure and hemorrhoid were assessed by a single team. Results The mean and SD of age in group A (psyllium consumption group) was 29.9 ± 2.24 and in group B (placebo group) was 29.5 ± 2.48. Comparison between three outcome variables (hemorrhoid, fissure and constipation) revealed significant difference in group A and group B in compare with group B, p < 0.001). Conclusions According to our study psyllium powder consumption during the third trimester of pregnancy could significantly prevent constipation, hemorrhoid anal fissure.

Keywords

• laxatives
• psyllium
• constipation
• hemorrhoid
• fissure
• haemorrhoids
• pregnancy
• psyllium powder