Tucks Pads vs Witch Hazel Pads Reviews for Hemorrhoids - Is the DIY Hemorrhoid Pad Better?

In this Tucks Pads vs Witch Hazel Pads for hemorrhoids blog post, we will review these two methods for relieving hemorrhoids and get to the bottom of which one is the best. 

If you are about to have a baby or have had one in the past, then you know how bad it can be dealing with hemorrhoids after pregnancy. The bleeding, swelling and irritation can be unbearable. Many women swear by Tucks Medicated Pads for relief.

Others swear by homemade witch hazel pads, but which is better for hemorrhoids?

Tucks Pads or Homemade Witch Hazel Pads?

There are several benefits to each one. With Tucks Pads, you have a premade product that is ready to go. Tucks is a trusted brand that has helped thousands of pregnant woman get relief.

Homemade Witch Hazel Pads can be just as effective, though. Many women claim they even work better than Tucks Pads. While we already have completed a Tucks Pads Review, we thought it would be awesome to compare Tucks Pads and Witch Hazel pads.

So, which one should you choose for your hemorrhoids? Let’s dive right in and find out! 

Benefits of Tucks Medicated Pads

There are many benefits to using Tucks Pads. First, you know you are getting a proven, tested product that works for postpartum hemorrhoids and hemorrhoid bleeding.

Tucks has a 50% witch hazel solution in the pad that has been proven to be effective for hemorrhoids (1). It’s the same amount that is found in other major products like Preparation H Wipes.

Because of this, and because of the massive amounts of feedback from these products, we know that Tucks Pads work well.

In addition to the brands reputation, Tucks also comes relatively cheaply. You can buy a container of 100 pads for just $5.50 at your local pharmacy, walmart or walgreens.

Plus, you can easily purchase them online through amazon.

The main ingredient in Tucks Medicated Pads is Witch Hazel 50%, which has been shown to reduce swollen tissue and eliminate and relieve hemorrhoids and bleeding from hemorrhoids (2).

Want to know how to stop hemorrhoid itching and burning? Check out our guide which shows the best way to get relief.

Tucks helps to soothe and relieve the painful itching and bleeding from hemorrhoids.

Tucks is thought to be safe to use for pregnancy hemorrhoids, but we always recommend you talk to your doctor or a hemorrhoid doctor before trying any OTC hemorrhoid treatment.

This is a list of our best hemorrhoid wipes and reviews in case you want to take a peek.

Benefits of Homemade Witch hazel Pads

First, many women choose to purchase large gauze, cotton balls, or use Maxi Pads as the base for which they put witch hazel on.

Then, they purchase a witch hazel solution. They apply the witch hazel solution to the maxi pad or cotton ball and then apply to the affected area.

Some women use pampers to hold in the Witch Hazel Pad postpartum.

So what is great about the at home witch hazel pads? Well, you can buy a strong solution of witch hazel and possibly get more to the affected area than if you used an OTC hemorrhoid medicine or products.

Many women claim this to be the case. They claim it provides more hemorrhoid relief than Tucks Witch Hazel Pads.

Also, since you are the one buying the base (cotton ball, gauze, or maxipad), you control how large the area is. If you have postpartum hemorrhoid bleeding, it might not be wise to rely on Tucks Pads as they are thin.

Using your own home made Witch Hazel Pad can allow you to use a thicker, more durable base and keep you cleaner.

Also, depending on where you shop it may be cheaper to buy the witch hazel solution and pads separately then relying on Tucks Pads.

You also get to control what ingredients are on the pad. If you choose to do so, you can purchase a pure witch hazel product that does not have any chemicals, additives or preservatives.

If your hemorrhoid bursts and bleeds, having the ability to make larger and thicker homemade hemorrhoid wipes might help.

Check out our hemorrhoid wipe reviews for reviews on the top rated wipes of 2018.

Also, one of the best ways to address your hemorrhoids is to find out what is causing them. Our hemorrhoids causes guide will help you do that.

Once you determine the exact causes of your hemorrhoids, you can develop a plan for treatment that involves hemorrhoid prevention.

How to Make DIY Hemorrhoid Pads or Witch Hazel Pads From Home

Many women talk about making their own homemade Witch Hazel Pads. They make their own Tucks Pads in 5 simple steps.

Step 1: Buy a large gauze, pad, or maxipad.

Step 2: Buy a witch hazel solution (preferably without alcohol).

Step 3: Squirt witch hazel onto the pads

Step 4: Place the pad in the freezer for maximum relief.

Step 5: Apply the homemade Witch Hazel Pad in between your underwear and the affected area. There are many documented benefits of witch hazel for hemorrhoids.

Here's a video on how to use Tucks Medicated Pads

Drawbacks or Negatives of Tucks Medicated Pads

While the pads are relatively thin, if you do have bleeding from your pregnancy hemorrhoids the thinness may become an issue.

Many women do not like the fact that Tucks Pads have some extra inactive ingredients in them.

Here are the Tucks Medicated Pads inactive ingredients: water, glycerin, alcohol, propylene glycol, sodium citrate, diazolidinyl urea, citric acid, methylparaben, propylparaben

That means it has parabens, citric acid, alcohol, and some other ingredients you may not want to put on your body after birthing your child. 

Diazolidinyl urea is a ingredient that can potentially be harmful to skin (3). 

Methylparaben is generally considered okay for short term toxicity, but its long term effects on zebrafish showed possible malformations, apostosis and other issues (4).

Always consult your doctor when using any hemorrhoid products or making your own.

Plus, many women want to know how much alcohol in tucks pads there is. We were not able to find out through our own research. If you find out or know, please let us know so we can update our readers.

The great thing about these wipes is that they work great for external hemorrhoids. However, they do not work well for internal hemorrhoids.

Drawbacks or Negatives of Homemade Witch Hazel Pads

One negative os that you have to buy the pads and the witch hazel separately. Then, you have to squirt the witch hazel onto the pad yourself.

Your probably not trained to do this, and likely don’t know how much witch hazel you should be using.

A brand like Tucks has a team of doctors and medical professionals who have already reviewed this and know how much witch hazel should go onto the pad (50%).

Also, you will have to make sure the pads you buy to use are very sanitary and kept clean.

An infected hemorrhoid can pose serious health complications (5).

Finally, it may actually be cheaper to just buy the Tucks Medicated Pads then to purchase 2 other products.

Are Witch Hazel or Tucks Pads Thicker?

Witch Hazel Pads can be thicker than Tucks Medicated Pads. Many women choose to put their own witch hazel onto maxi pads and then freeze them for best results.

The great part about creating your own Witch Hazel Pad is that you control the size of it!

Which Costs More, Tucks or Witch Hazel Pads?

The costs are roughly the same, depending on where you shop. You might be able to save money by buying your own pads or using the maxi pads you will already be using and then adding witch hazel to them.

Still, Tucks Pads are pretty cheap and sell at $5.50 for a pack of 100. If you are savy then you can save money when you make your own tucks wipes.

What Do Moms Say About Tucks Pads?

Moms absolutely love Tucks. The product has an amazing review rating on Amazon and is recommended by thousands of people for hemorrhoids.

If you want an easy, simple method for relieving your hemorrhoids postpartum then Tucks Pads may be right for you.

What Do Moms Say About Witch Hazel Pads

Some moms swear by home made Witch Hazel Pads. There are several benefits to using home made pads, like being able to control what ingredients go on the pad and being able to make them thicker and larger.

The vast majority of women that just use witch hazel and nothing else swear by it.

On the other hand, Tucks Pads come with a bunch of ingredients you might not want in your body when breastfeeding, like propylpareben and methylparaben.

Of course you should always discuss a product you plan to use or are using with your doctor.

Witch Hazel Pads Reviews

Many women love making their own Witch Hazel Pads. There are several pregnancy forums where multiple women swear by home made Witch Hazel Pads and how effective they are.

Make sure you freeze the homemade pad for best results!

Tucks Pads Reviews

Tucks has thousands of women who swear by the product. It is found in virtually every department store and also on amazon.com. On amazon.com, the product has a 4.6 star rating on 422 reviews. It is easily one of the highest rated products for hemorrhoids on amazon.

Now, if you are curious to see who wins in the Preparation H vs Tucks Pads post, be sure to check it out.

Our Final Verdict on Tucks Pads vs Witch Hazel Pads:

If you are the DIY type and are serious about keeping any of the parabens out of your body when breastfeeding, then home made hemorrhoid pads or Witch Hazel Pads might be right for you.

If you’re not too worried about that then using Tucks Pads should not be a problem. Talk with your doctor about what is best for you when pregnant or breastfeeding before trying any new products.

Whether you choose Tucks Pads or Witch Hazel Pads, congratulations on you new baby!