Varicose veins are considered a more “female” disease, which more often affects the fairer sex than men, due to the gender and genetic characteristics of the structure and functioning of the body.The pathology is accompanied by pain, swelling and other unpleasant symptoms; it can affect other organs besides the legs, threatening the woman’s health, so it must be treated immediately.
Reasons
The main causes of female varicose veins of the legs are:
- prolonged wearing of uncomfortable high-heeled shoes and constrictive clothing (tight jeans, shapewear);
- overweight, obesity;
- hereditary predisposition;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- heavy physical activity;
- frequent nervous disorders;
- leg injuries;
- prolonged sitting in a cross-legged position;
- bad habits.
A common cause of the development of varicose veins of the lower extremities and pelvic organs is a hormonal imbalance, which manifests itself when:
- pregnancy, childbirth;
- menopause;
- menstrual irregularities;
- taking hormonal medications (for example, contraceptives).
Venous congestion in the pelvis also manifests itself as a result of:
- long-term inflammatory process;
- regular interruption of sexual intercourse for a long time, especially in the absence of orgasm;
- frequent constipation;
- abortions;
- difficult childbirth;
- bending or prolapse of the uterus;
- pelvic tumors.
Signs
The first symptoms of dilated veins of the lower extremities:
- fatigue;
- heaviness in the legs, worsening in the evening;
- burning and swelling;
- the appearance of spider veins and blue mesh.
Without treatment, patients face:
- night cramps;
- skin itching in the affected areas.
At an advanced stage, other signs appear:
- pigment spots concentrated in the lower third of the leg;
- cyanosis (blue discoloration of certain areas of the skin);
- sclerotic changes in subcutaneous tissue.
Varicose veins of the pelvic organs and uterus are characterized by specific symptoms:
- severe constant or intermittent abdominal pain, which can become intense after ovulation or during menopause;
- menstrual irregularities (dysmenorrhea);
- vaginal discharge (white or colorless);
- sensitivity of the vaginal mucosa;
- pain during sexual intercourse;
- pressure, heaviness on the pelvic area;
- difficulty urinating (in rare cases);
- swelling of the vulva, vagina;
- venous nodules on the buttocks and perineum.
The intensity and nature of the manifestations are individual.Some women may experience only 2-3 symptoms, while others may experience all of the above.
Why is it dangerous?
Treatment of varicose veins should be carried out in a timely manner, since the disease can provoke complications and unpleasant consequences:
- Eczema or trophic ulcers of the legs due to tissue malnutrition.
- Dermatitis on affected areas of the legs.
- Formation of blood clots due to stagnation of blood in the veins.
- Thrombophlebitis.
- Pulmonary embolism.The detached thrombus passes through the bloodstream into the pulmonary artery and this threatens a lung infarction or sudden death of a person.
Disease of the uterus negatively affects the functioning of the endocrine system: at an advanced stage, there is a decrease in the level of female hormones and ovarian dysfunction, which provokes menstrual irregularities.This process often leads to problems with conceiving and bearing a child, including infertility.
Pathological expansion of the veins of the pelvic organs is also dangerous:
- uterine bleeding;
- the impossibility of natural childbirth and the threat of spontaneous abortion;
- thrombophlebitis of the uterine walls;
- thrombosis (blockage) of the ovarian veins.
Treatment
Includes medication and physical therapy, compression, gymnastics, and lifestyle changes that will help prevent the development of serious consequences and the need for surgical intervention.
Drugs
Treatment of varicose veins of the pelvic veins and lower extremities of any stage is impossible without drug support.At the initial stage it becomes the basis of treatment, at an advanced stage it complements the set of measures.
- Phlebotonics– strengthen the walls of veins, reduce the inflammatory process.
- Anticoagulants of direct and indirect action– thin the blood, facilitating its movement through the vessels.Medicines are used under the supervision of a specialist to avoid complications such as bleeding.
- Fibrinolytics– dissolve formed blood clots and reduce blood clotting.
Additional groups of medications are prescribed taking into account accompanying symptoms:
- NSAIDs– eliminate pain, relieve swelling and inflammation.
- Female sex hormone preparationswith hormonal disorders.
- Hemostatics (coagulants)– hemostatic agents for the treatment of uterine bleeding.
- Antibiotics– prescribed in the presence of infectious lesions.
Minimally invasive interventions
- Sclerotherapy– gluing the diseased vein from the inside with a special substance sclerosant to shut off the vessel from the bloodstream.The treated area is overgrown with fibrous tissue and gradually resolves.
- Laser coagulation– soldering of dilated veins using a laser.
- Radiofrequency ablation– intravascular thermal effect on the walls of the vessel to seal the lumen.
Operation
Indicated for the development of complications of the disease and the ineffectiveness of drug therapy.In addition to classical methods of surgical treatment of the lower extremities (various types of phlebectomy), interventions are performed on the genitals and pelvis:
- Embolization of varicose veins in the ovary– through a catheter inserted into the femoral or jugular vein and brought into the affected area, first a contrast agent is supplied for hardware monitoring of the progress of the operation, and then an embolisate drug, which clogs the affected vessel.
- Clipping– compression of the veins in the pelvis with special medical clips.The progress of the intervention is monitored using an endoscope.
- Resection (removal completely or partially) of vessels– carried out from the perineum (labia majora area) or peritoneum.In the first option, an incision is made along the line of the labia, through which the affected areas are removed.In mild forms of the pathology, vein resection is performed through several punctures if the lesion is observed in the area of the vagina and vulva.When spreading to the area of the ovarian vein and uterus, operations are performed through the retroperitoneum using a laparoscope or endoscope.
Physiotherapy
- Hirudotherapy– treatment with leeches.Increases the elasticity of vein walls, improves blood circulation, prevents blood clots, eliminates pain and swelling.
- Massage– increases the elasticity of blood vessels, normalizes the functioning of valves, strengthens venous walls, can be carried out only at the initial stage of the development of the disease.
- Gymnastics and exercise therapy– regular training has a positive effect on vascular tone, prevents relapses and alleviates the patient’s condition.Recommended exercises: birch tree, bicycle, squats, scissors.Such gymnastics helps to normalize blood flow and eliminate congestion in blood vessels.Also useful: swimming, jogging, cycling.
- Hardening.As a result of alternating cold and heat, the tone of the vascular walls increases, blood circulation accelerates, microcirculation in tissues is restored, the influx of arterial blood increases, the outflow from the lymphatic and venous systems, and metabolic processes are activated.You need to start dousing with warm water.
- UHF therapy– exposure to a continuous pulsed electric field of ultrahigh frequency.It has an analgesic effect, relieves inflammation, improves blood flow, and stimulates the immune system.
- Myostimulation– impact on the muscles of low-intensity current.Helps increase blood flow speed, eliminate swelling, pain and discomfort.
Depending on the individual characteristics of the body and the severity of the pathology, other physical procedures are used - electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, pressotherapy, darsonval, balneotherapy.
Compression garments
The positive effect of special knitwear is due to the uniform redistribution of pressure on the muscles, followed by a gentle massage of the veins, resulting in:
- the speed of blood flow through deep vessels increases;
- stagnation of blood and lymph is eliminated;
- the severity of signs of varicose veins decreases;
- the load on the legs is reduced;
- Complications during pregnancy, childbirth, and after operations are prevented.
For varicose veins of the lower extremities, stockings, knee socks, and elastic bandages are used; for damage to the pelvic organs, shorts and tights are used.
Diet
Varicose veins in the legs and pelvis require adjustments to the diet to provide dilated and weakened veins with the necessary nutrients.Dietary nutrition involves eating large amounts of vegetables and fruits, rich in plant fiber and protein foods.It is recommended to drink 1.5-2 liters of water per day.
You should exclude alcoholic and carbonated drinks, fatty, fried, pickled and smoked foods from the menu, reduce the amount of empty carbohydrates in your diet to lose excess weight, reduce the load on blood vessels and improve blood circulation.
Folk recipes
In the treatment of varicose veins of the legs and pelvis, the use of home remedies in combination with drug treatment is allowed.They can only be used after consulting a doctor.
The most effective plants for varicose veins:
- horse chestnut;
- dandelion;
- Kombucha
Infusions, decoctions for internal and external use, and ointments are prepared from them.
Prevention
Preventive measures are useful not only for women at risk of developing pathology, but also for those already suffering from varicose veins:
- lead an active lifestyle;
- normalize rest and work schedules;
- use gentle methods of contraception;
- take a contrast shower;
- perform gymnastic exercises daily;
- eat right;
- visit a massage therapist;
- take preventive courses of venotonics;
- prevent constipation;
- minimize stress.
Particular attention to prevention should be paid to pregnant women; according to statistics, pathological dilation of the veins in the pelvic area and lower extremities is observed in 40% of cases.