MEET ASSET’S OB: Dr. Kaitlin O'Connor
We’ve been working with an esteemed board-certified dermatologist since Hole Serum. But when we started developing a stronger, OTC-grade version, we knew we needed to deepen the bench. Ideally, with a medical expert familiar with a particular group of hemorrhoid-prone people: pregnant and postpartum women.
25%–50% of pregnant individuals experience hemorrhoids, particularly during the third trimester and postpartum.
Cue Dr. Kaitlin O’Connor, an experienced OB/GYN with a great sense of humor.
Originally from rural Nebraska, Dr. O’Connor attended college at the University of Notre Dame and medical school at Kansas City University before completing her residency at the Corewell Health Grand Rapids/Michigan State University OBGYN program. Today, she works at a community hospital outside of Boston, conducting surgeries like hysterectomies and hysteroscopies and “catching babies”. (She estimates she’s delivered over 2000!)
As someone trusted to serve patients in some of their most vulnerable moments, Dr. O’Connor resonated with our efforts to take the taboo out of taking care of your ass. And once she checked out Hole Control’s proprietary formula and learned about our careful, in-house compounding process, she signed on as an official Medical Advisor at Asset.
Get to know more about perianal peculiarities during different phases of a woman’s life, why Hole Control stood out to Dr. O’Connor, and why steroids aren’t an ideal fit for every hole in this Q&A.
Hemorrhoids during pregnancy make sense—the extra weight; the extra pressure bearing down. Why do some women get more hemorrhoids/fissures post-menopause?
Dr. O’Connor: Women may have more issues with dehydration at older ages and when patients are dehydrated, they often get more constipated. Constipation causes straining which can lead to hemorrhoids. Menopause also causes decrease in estrogen which leads to thinner skin and less blood flow to the sensitive tissues.
We need good blood flow to our tissues to help keep them healthy. Healthy tissue is more resistant to fissures and tears. So the combination of increased straining on weaker tissues makes post menopausal women particularly at risk for hemorrhoids and fissures.
Steroids are often the go-to for hemorrhoids. What are the downsides to long-term use?
Dr. O’Connor: Steroids help with itching but generally we try to use them sparingly in sensitive areas as they can cause thinning of the skin. This can be extra problematic in postpartum when women have decreased estrogen in those tissues and the skin is thin to begin with
What do you look out for/caution your patients about when they seek more natural or steroid-free solutions?
Dr. O’Connor: When patients look for a more natural/steroid free solution, I always recommend they watch for where their product is compounded and what is actually IN the product as you are not always aware of what can be in a cream or compound that is labeled as “natural.” Not everything that is “natural” is safe, and dose/source does matter. (As they told us in medical school: cyanide is natural, too!)
What stood out to you about Hole Control?
Dr. O’Connor: There are not many OTC options for hemorrhoids, and especially ones that do not use steroids! It is a problem that seems to have fallen into a blind spot in the market, and I am glad that the Asset team has addressed the need with their meticulous attention to detail and ingredients that patients can trust.
What made you want to work with Asset?
Dr. O’Connor: The ingredients for Hole Essentials and Hole Control are fantastic in that they treat irritation with natural ingredients and can have a calming effect, help rebuild a barrier, and avoid steroids/skin thinning. I have been very impressed with this company's attention to detail in sourcing ingredients and ensuring purity at every step of the compounding process, helping create the cleanest final product. ✱
