Nosebleeds during pregnancy: causes and solutions

Since you became pregnant, you have been experiencing repeated nosebleeds. Is it normal to have nosebleeds during pregnancy and how can you avoid sudden bleeding?

May has the answers!

Why do I have more frequent nosebleeds during pregnancy? What are the main causes of nosebleeds when pregnant?

Nosebleeds, also known as epistaxis, are hemorrhages that come from your nasal cavities, located at the back of the nose. Although they can look impressive, they are most of the time harmless.

The nasal mucosa is supplied by a network of blood vessels which, under different circumstances, may become damaged and cause bleeding. These lesions may result from a shock, a strong sneeze, or when the air is too dry.

During pregnancy, a large cocktail of hormones occurs in your body, which increases the blood supply to your mucous membranes (notably with estrogens), as well as the blood volume in the vessels (with progesterone). This is why it is completely normal for nosebleeds to be more frequent during these nine months.

To go into more detail:

• The increase in blood supply to the nasal mucosa raises the risk and duration of bleeding.
• The increase in blood volume in the vessels amplifies the bleeding.

Not to mention that during pregnancy, it is common to need to blow your nose more often due to nasal congestion (hormonal changes may sometimes cause congestion or inflammation of the nasal mucosa, making it more fragile), a cold, or allergies (to which you are more sensitive due to a weakened immune system).

Good to know: these hormonal changes can also cause bleeding in your gums, which become more sensitive and prone to inflammation.

How to manage nosebleeds during my pregnancy?

How should you react in case of epistaxis? Health authorities give the following recommendations.

The first step is to gently blow your nose once to clear out blood clots.

Next, we advise you to sit down and lean your head forward, while breathing through your mouth.

A common mistake is tilting the head backward, as often shown in movies. In reality, the blood may run into the throat and trigger nausea.

Finally, to stop the bleeding, it is recommended to gently pinch the nostril from which the blood is coming for ten minutes (the duration is important, as it allows the blood to clot. Try not to release the pressure in the meantime) so that the blood does not flow. Once the ten minutes have passed, you can release your nose. Normally, it has worked! If not, repeat the nose pinching for another ten minutes.

Good to know: you can also apply something cold just above your nose. This helps your blood vessels contract and reduces nosebleeds.

Want to learn more? Feel free to download the May app, where you’ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your pregnancy.

What precautions can you take to reduce the frequency of epistaxis?

If you are prone to nosebleeds during pregnancy and want to reduce their occurrence, here are some tips:

• Avoid putting your fingers in your nose.
• Open your mouth when sneezing.
• Blow your nose gently.
• Avoid staying too long in very dry or cold air.
• Moisturize the air in the bedroom and living space (with a humidifier if needed).
• Do nasal rinses (with seawater solutions, for example).
• Avoid sprays containing nasal decongestants (often used during a cold).
• Treat allergies if possible, by consulting a healthcare professional.

We take this opportunity to remind you that it is very important to seek medical advice before taking any medication. Self-medication can be very dangerous during pregnancy, even if it sometimes seems harmless.

What are the risks associated with frequent nosebleeds during pregnancy?

Rest assured, most of the time there are no risks associated with these nosebleeds during pregnancy. They are completely benign. If they do not stop despite the pinching technique, we recommend consulting your doctor so they can examine you.

However, if the nosebleed is accompanied by other symptoms such as dizziness, rapid pulse, sweating… or if the bleeding is heavy and flows into the throat, we recommend consulting urgently. This applies both during and outside of pregnancy.

Are there safe treatments for epistaxis in pregnant women?

There are no specific treatments for epistaxis during pregnancy. We simply invite you to follow the steps we mentioned above and the preventive recommendations. Rest assured, this should not last, as nosebleeds usually decrease after pregnancy.

When should you see a doctor for nosebleeds?

If nosebleeds worry you during pregnancy or if they persist despite following the steps, you can make an appointment with your healthcare provider.

In cases of severe epistaxis, meaning heavy bleeding, it may be necessary to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT).

In conclusion, these nosebleeds are most of the time totally harmless and there is no need to worry. However, if you find them too heavy or persistent, do not hesitate to consult.

To go further:

Photo: eddows_arunothai

This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.