In this review
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Up to 85% of pregnant and postpartum women experience hemorrhoids or anal fissures.¹ If you’re part of that group, then you’re all too aware that beyond the chronic discomfort, that can also mean intense pain during sitting, walking, and even sleeping. When our 35-year-old Motherful tester, Jessica, developed hemorrhoids during her second pregnancy, she needed to find more effective options than the over-the-counter creams she tried after her first baby.
So we decided to compare the two most popular hemorrhoid treatments - Preparation H Hemorrhoid Ointment and Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads - and see if online prescription newcomer Bummed is really superior with its Long-Acting Hemorrhoid & Fissure Rx Cream. And Sarah Toler (DNP), a reproductive and postpartum health expert, lends her expert medical opinion. We found one clear winner - read on to find out which!
What to Look For in Pregnancy & Postpartum Hemorrhoid Care
Pregnancy and postpartum hemorrhoids and fissures usually occur due to intense physical strain and the heavy pelvic pressure of a growing baby. Veins in the rectum swell into hemorrhoids - painful lumps in the lower rectum - while physical trauma from delivery or pregnancy-related constipation can cause small tears (fissures) that trigger muscle spasms in the anal sphincter. This spasm puts constant pressure on rectal veins, preventing them from draining and keeping them swollen. That’s why the best treatments both provide fast pain relief and address the underlying muscle spasm to heal hemorrhoids and fissures.²
Over-the-counter creams work by temporarily shrinking blood vessels to reduce swelling. But as Toler explains, “They work by shrinking the blood vessels that are causing the swelling and pain, but don’t heal the underlying cause.”
To actually heal the injury, a treatment must relax the anal sphincter. The most effective treatments use calcium channel blockers (like diltiazem) to restore blood flow so tissue can repair naturally and safely.3 These block the calcium required for muscle contraction, forcing relaxation that allows blood to flow to the injured area.
In short: look for a treatment that targets the root cause, provides immediate relief, and is pregnancy- and postpartum-safe. How do Bummed, Preparation H, and Tucks compare? Let’s find out.
Ingredients & Formulation: Bummed Wins
Over-the-counter (OTC) hemorrhoid treatments rely on ingredients that only mask symptoms. Due to the acute and ongoing nature of their pain, “pregnant and postpartum moms need ingredients that provide relief and encourage healing,” says Sarah Toler, DNP. Instead of just temporarily shrinking veins, she recommends using a formulation that relaxes muscle tension, restores blood to promote real healing, and is - of course - pregnancy and postpartum safe.
Most moms start with OTC options but find they don’t work - and eventually end up visiting a specialist (or multiple) to get the active ingredients already present in Bummed. We recommend skipping the months-long process and starting with Bummed for true healing - here’s why:
🥇 Bummed Long-Acting Hemorrhoid & Fissure Rx Cream wins with the most comprehensive formulation we tested. The prescription treatment is the only option with six active ingredients designed to treat the pain and the root cause:
- Diltiazem: A calcium channel blocker that relaxes the anal sphincter to restore blood flow and heal fissures.
- Lidocaine & Bupivacaine: Dual anesthetics for immediate pain relief that lasts for several hours. Lidocaine kicks in instantly, while Bupivacaine provides longer-lasting relief.
- Hydrocortisone: Mild anti-inflammatory steroid to reduce itching and irritation.
- Metronidazole & Aloe: Antimicrobial protection that gently soothes sensitive skin.
In a clinical study, topical diltiazem completely healed 75% of anal fissures by significantly reducing resting muscle pressure - making Bummed the only medication we tested that’s clinically proven to heal hemorrhoids and fissures.4
❌ Preparation H Hemorrhoid Ointment takes a short-term approach with a formula designed to mask symptoms rather than treat the cause of the pain. It relies on a limited set of ingredients to offer short-term relief:
- Phenylephrine: A vasoconstrictor that temporarily shrinks swollen blood vessels to reduce bulging and throbbing. Reduces size of the hemorrhoid for an hour or so without reducing the underlying muscle tension.
- Mineral Oil & Petrolatum: Simple grease barriers to protect the surface of the skin with no healing properties.
While it reduces the immediate bulge, Preparation H is a temporary bandage and does not promote healing.
❌ Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads provide a brief cooling sensation, but can actually increase irritation and delay the natural healing process:
- Witch Hazel: An astringent that chemically constricts body tissues. It provides a brief cooling sensation, but that effect comes from tightening and drying out the tissue.
- Glycerin & Water: Basic soothing agents that provide a momentary wetness. However, once the liquid evaporates, it often leaves the skin tighter and itchier, which can increase irritation.
The tightening and drying effect can delay healing in sensitive postpartum areas. Because of this, Toler recommends avoiding witch hazel for moms who have postpartum tearing.
Short-Term Relief: It’s a Tie
When dealing with hemorrhoids, moms need two things: immediate pain relief and sustained comfort. Our 35-year-old tester, Jessica, put each option to the test during her second trimester to find out which really works when sitting, sleeping, and chasing a toddler becomes painful.
🥇 Bummed delivered both immediate relief and ongoing comfort. The lidocaine reduced pain within a minute, and the addition of bupivacaine extended her relief for several hours. This made sitting and resting significantly more comfortable. “Bummed continued to dull my pain 4 hours after application,” Jessica said. It’s also a non-greasy, easy-to-apply cream.
🥇 Preparation H tied for fast-acting initial relief. Jessica found the formula effective at reducing the painful throbbing and swelling for around an hour, though it wore off more quickly than Bummed. The application was also “thick and greasy, leaving a noticeable residue.” Jessica noted: “It definitely helped with the pain quickly, but I kept having to reapply.”
❌ Tucks failed to provide continuous comfort. It provided a brief cooling sensation lasting less than a minute. Once the liquid evaporated, Jessica reported a tightening and slightly stinging sensation. “Tucks numbed the pain, but wore off so fast and got even itchier after,” Jessica reported.
Long-Term Healing: Bummed Wins
Short-term relief is helpful, but if a treatment doesn't address the underlying muscle spasm, symptoms will quickly return. We evaluated which option actually heals the tissue to break the cycle of discomfort.
🥇 Bummed wins with a formula that stops muscle spasms and restores blood flow to the injury for long-term healing. It is the only treatment we reviewed that contains diltiazem, a medication widely used in colorectal medicine to relax the anal sphincter. As Toler explains: “Diltiazem relaxes the muscle around the rectum, increasing blood flow to encourage healing and reduce pain caused by the spasm.” This therapeutic mechanism makes Bummed the only option that actively heals the root cause, typically within 3 weeks of consistent use.5
❌ Preparation H addresses the swelling but ignores the underlying muscle tension. Because it relies entirely on phenylephrine for temporary blood vessel constriction, it only provides short-term relief, not long-term healing.
Moms relying on Preparation H often experience flare-ups for six months or more until they finally require a prescription-strength relaxant from a colorectal specialist for true healing.
❌ Tucks can actually delay the healing process. Because astringents like witch hazel are designed to dry out tissue, they actively work against the body's natural repair mechanisms. This excessive drying can turn a minor postpartum tear into a chronic fissure.
Moms relying solely on Tucks often see their symptoms persist or worsen over several months and also require specialist intervention for true healing.
Convenience & Value: Bummed Wins
How does the cost of a 3-month supply compare?
🥇 Bummed costs $96.90 for your first order with Motherful’s discount ($114 without). This includes a $49 virtual specialist consultation - which covers 12 months of refills - and $65 for the first 3-month supply; any future refills cost just $65. While the upfront price is higher, it is a clinical-grade treatment designed to heal the injury completely.
The virtual specialist consultation allows you to skip the months-long waitlists and the inconvenience of an in-person doctor's visit. It’s also delivered directly to your door - especially helpful for new moms who can’t spend hours in a doctor’s office.
❌ Preparation H costs $10 per tube, or $60 over 3 months assuming multiple daily reapplications. Because it doesn't heal the underlying spasm, many users eventually need to see a specialist in-person who hopefully has the expertise to prescribe a pregnancy-safe solution.
❌ Tucks costs $9 per tub, or $54 over 3 months for 4-6 daily reapplications. Like Preparation H, it functions as a temporary bandage, before a likely specialist visit.
The Overall Winner: Bummed
Which pregnancy and postpartum hemorrhoid treatment is most effective? After comparing the top brands on ingredients, relief, long-term healing, and convenience, we recommend the only option that heals hemorrhoids and fissures at the source. And that’s Bummed.
Sarah Toler, DNP, our expert in women’s health, agrees: “I recommend Bummed for anyone struggling with postpartum fissures or hemorrhoids. It’s the only treatment with the right active ingredients for short-term relief and long-term healing.”
Ready to try Bummed? Use code MOTHERFUL for 15% off your first order:
Note: Prescription products require an online medical consultation to determine eligibility.
Bummed content is for general education and should never replace professional medical advice that considers your individual health. If you think you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or head to the nearest emergency department.
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