Varicose veins are considered a more "female" disease, more often affecting the fair sex 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, endangering 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 tight clothing (tight jeans, girdles);
- overweight, obesity;
- hereditary predisposition;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- intense physical activity;
- frequent nervous disorders;
- leg injuries;
- sitting for a long time with legs crossed;
- bad habits.
A common cause of the development of varicose veins in 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 relations 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:
- fatigue;
- heaviness in the legs, worse at night;
- burning and swelling;
- the appearance of spider veins and blue mesh.
Without treatment, patients face:
- night cramps;
- itchy skin in affected areas.
In an advanced phase, other signs appear:
- concentrated pigment spots on the lower third of the leg;
- cyanosis (blue discoloration of certain areas of the skin);
- sclerotic changes in the subcutaneous tissue.
Varicose veins of the pelvic organs and uterus are characterized by specific symptoms:
- severe, constant or intermittent abdominal pain, which may become severe after ovulation or during menopause;
- menstrual irregularities (dysmenorrhea);
- vaginal discharge (white or colorless);
- sensitivity of the vaginal mucosa;
- pain during sexual intercourse;
- pressure, heaviness in the pelvic area;
- difficulty urinating (in rare cases);
- swelling of the vulva, vagina;
- Venous nodules in the buttocks and perineum.
The intensity and nature of the manifestations are individual.Some women may experience only 2 or 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 lead to complications and unpleasant consequences:
- Eczema or trophic leg ulcers due to tissue malnutrition.
- Dermatitis in the 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.
The 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 causes menstrual irregularities.This process often leads to problems conceiving and having a child, including infertility.
Also dangerous is the pathological expansion of the veins of the pelvic organs:
- uterine bleeding;
- the impossibility of natural childbirth and the threat of spontaneous abortion;
- thrombophlebitis of the uterine walls;
- Thrombosis (obstruction) of the ovarian veins.
Treatment
It includes medication and physiotherapy, 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 at any stage is impossible without pharmacological support.In the initial stage it becomes the basis of treatment, in an advanced stage it complements the set of measures.
- phlebotonics– strengthen the walls of the veins, reduce the inflammatory process.
- Anticoagulants of direct and indirect action.– dilutes blood, facilitating its movement through the vessels.The medications 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 drugs are prescribed taking into account the accompanying symptoms:
- NSAIDs– eliminate pain, relieve swelling and inflammation.
- Preparations of female sex hormones.with hormonal disorders.
- Hemostatics (coagulants)– hemostatic agents for the treatment of uterine bleeding.
- antibiotics– prescribed in the presence of infectious lesions.
Minimally invasive interventions
- Sclerotherapy– glue the diseased vein from the inside with a special sclerosing substance to isolate the vessel from the bloodstream.The treated area is covered with fibrous tissue and gradually resolves.
- Laser coagulation– laser welding of dilated veins.
- radiofrequency ablation– intravascular thermal effect on the vessel walls to seal the lumen.
Operation
Indicated for the development of complications of the disease and the ineffectiveness of drug therapy.In addition to classic 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 to the affected area, first a contrast agent is supplied to monitor the progress of the operation with the hardware and then an embolizing drug, which obstructs the affected vessel.
- Cutout– compression of the pelvic veins with special medical clips.The progress of the intervention is monitored using an endoscope.
- Resection (total or partial removal) of vessels.– Performed from the perineum (area of the labia majora) or 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, venous resection is performed using several punctures if the lesion is observed in the area of the vagina and vulva.When it spreads 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 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 at the initial stage of the development of the disease.
- Gymnastics and physiotherapy.– Regular training has a positive effect on vascular tone, prevents relapses and alleviates the patient's condition.Recommended exercises: birch, bicycle, squats, scissors.This gymnastics helps to normalize blood flow and eliminate congestion in 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 is accelerated, microcirculation in the tissues is restored, arterial blood flow increases, the outflow of the lymphatic and venous systems is activated, and metabolic processes are activated.You should start spraying 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 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, 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, as a result:
- increases the speed of blood flow through deep vessels;
- stagnation of blood and lymph is eliminated;
- decreases the severity of varicose vein symptoms;
- the load on the legs is reduced;
- Complications are prevented during pregnancy, childbirth and after operations.
For varicose veins of the lower extremities, stockings, knee-high socks and elastic bandages are used;for damage to the pelvic organs, shorts and stockings are used.
Diet
Varicose veins in the legs and pelvis require dietary adjustments to provide the enlarged and weakened veins with necessary nutrients.Diet nutrition involves eating large amounts of vegetables and fruits, foods rich in plant fiber and protein.It is recommended to drink between 1.5 and 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 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 folk 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 who already suffer from varicose veins:
- lead an active lifestyle;
- normalize rest and work schedules;
- use gentle contraceptive methods;
- take a contrast shower;
- perform gymnastic exercises daily;
- eat well;
- visit a masseuse;
- take preventive courses of venotonics;
- prevent constipation;
- minimize stress.
Special attention should be paid to prevention for pregnant women;According to statistics, in 40% of cases, pathological dilation of the veins in the pelvic area and lower extremities is observed.