Varicose veins are considered a more “female” disease, affecting the fairer sex more often than men, due to 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, putting a woman's health at risk, which is why it must be treated immediately.
Reasons
The main causes of female varicose veins of the legs are:
- prolonged use of uncomfortable high-heeled shoes and constricting 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 occurs when:
- pregnancy, childbirth;
- menopause;
- menstrual irregularities;
- take hormonal drugs (for example, contraceptives).
Venous congestion in the pelvis also occurs due to:
- long-term inflammatory process;
- regular interruption of sexual intercourse for a long time, especially in the absence of orgasm;
- frequent constipation;
- abortions;
- difficult childbirth;
- flexion or prolapse of the uterus;
- pelvic tumors.
Signs
The first symptoms of dilated veins of the lower extremities:
- tiredness;
- heaviness in the legs, which worsens in the evening;
- burning and swelling;
- the appearance of varicose veins and blue mesh.
Without treatment, patients face:
- night cramps;
- skin itching in the affected areas.
In the advanced stage other signs appear:
- pigment spots concentrated in the lower third of the leg;
- cyanosis (bluish discoloration of some areas of the skin);
- sclerotic changes in the subcutaneous tissue.
Varicose veins of the pelvic organs and uterus are characterized by specific symptoms:
- constant or intermittent severe abdominal pain, which may 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 symptoms listed above.
Why is it dangerous?
Treatment of varicose veins should be carried out in a timely manner, as the disease can cause complications and unpleasant consequences:
- Eczema or trophic leg ulcers due to tissue malnutrition.
- Dermatitis on the affected areas of the legs.
- Formation of blood clots due to blood pooling in the veins.
- Thrombophlebitis.
- Pulmonary embolism.The detached thrombus passes through the bloodstream into the pulmonary artery, and this threatens a pulmonary infarction or sudden death of a person.
Uterus disease negatively affects the functioning of the endocrine system: in an advanced stage, a decrease in the level of female hormones and ovarian dysfunction is observed, which causes menstrual irregularities.This process often leads to problems conceiving and carrying a baby, 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
It includes medications and physical therapy, compression, gymnastics and lifestyle changes that will help prevent the development of serious consequences and the need for surgery.
Drugs
Treatment of varicose veins of the pelvic veins and lower extremities of any stage is impossible without pharmacological support.In the initial phase it becomes the basis of the treatment, in the advanced phase it integrates all the measures.
- Phlebotonics– strengthen the walls of the veins, reduce the inflammatory process.
- Direct and indirect acting anticoagulants– 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 blood clots formed and reduce blood clotting.
Additional groups of drugs are prescribed taking into account the associated symptoms:
- NSAIDs– eliminate pain, relieve swelling and inflammation.
- Preparations of female sex hormoneswith 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 sclerosing substance to isolate the vessel from the blood flow.The treated area is covered with fibrous tissue and gradually resolves.
- Laser coagulation– welding of dilated veins using 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), operations on the genitals and pelvis are performed:
- Embolization of varicose veins in the ovary– through a catheter inserted into the femoral or jugular vein and brought to the affected area, a contrast medium is first administered for hardware monitoring of the progress of the operation, and then an embolized drug, which obstructs the affected vessel.
- Cutout– compression of the pelvic veins with special medical clips.The progress of the surgery is monitored using an endoscope.
- Resection (total or partial removal) of vessels– carried out from the perineum (area of the labia majora) or from the peritoneum.In the first option, an incision is made along the lip line, 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 they spread to the area of the ovarian vein and the uterus, operations are performed through the retroperitoneum using a laparoscope or endoscope.
Physiotherapy
- Hirudotherapy– treatment with leeches.Increases the elasticity of the walls of the veins, improves blood circulation, prevents the formation of blood clots, eliminates pain and swelling.
- Massage– increases the elasticity of blood vessels, normalizes the functioning of the valves, strengthens the venous walls, can be carried out only in the initial stage of the development of the disease.
- Gymnastics and physical therapy– regular training has a positive effect on vascular tone, prevents relapses and alleviates the patient's condition.Recommended exercises: birch, bicycle, squats, scissors.Such gymnastics helps to normalize blood flow and eliminate congestion in the blood vessels.Also useful: swimming, jogging, cycling.
- Hardening.As a result of the alternation of cold and heat, the tone of the vascular walls increases, blood circulation accelerates, microcirculation in the tissues is restored, arterial blood supply increases, outflow from the lymphatic and venous systems, metabolic processes are activated.You need to start wetting with warm water.
- UHF therapy– exposure to a continuous ultra-high frequency pulsed electric field.It has an analgesic effect, relieves inflammation, improves blood flow and stimulates the immune system.
- Myostimulation– impact on the muscles of the low intensity current.Helps increase the speed of blood flow, 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, magnetotherapy, 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, which results in:
- increases the speed of blood flow through the deep vessels;
- stagnation of blood and lymph is eliminated;
- the severity of the 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 limbs, stockings, knee-highs 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 dietary adjustments to provide the dilated and weakened veins with the necessary nutrients.Dietary nutrition involves the consumption of large quantities of fruit and vegetables, 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 the diet to lose excess weight, reduce the load on blood vessels and improve blood circulation.
Popular 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 pathologies, but also for those who already suffer from varicose veins:
- lead an active lifestyle;
- normalize rest and work hours;
- use gentle contraceptive methods;
- take a contrast shower;
- perform gymnastic exercises every day;
- eat well;
- visit a masseur;
- follow preventive venotonics courses;
- prevent constipation;
- minimize stress.
Particular attention to prevention should be paid to pregnant women;according to statistics, in 40% of cases, pathological dilation of the veins in the pelvic area and lower extremities is observed.