Varicose veins are considered a more "female" disease, which more often affects the fairer sex than men, due to gender and genetic characteristics of the structure and function of the body.Pathology is accompanied by pain, swelling and other unpleasant symptoms;it can affect other organs besides the legs, threatening women's health, so it must be treated immediately.
Reason
The main causes of female varicose veins on the legs are:
- prolonged wearing of uncomfortable high-heeled shoes and tight clothing (tight jeans, shapewear);
- overweight, obesity;
- hereditary predisposition;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- heavy physical activity;
- frequent nervous breakdowns;
- leg injury;
- prolonged sitting in a cross-legged position;
- bad habits.
A common cause of the development of varicose veins on the lower legs and pelvic organs is hormonal imbalance, which manifests itself when:
- pregnancy, childbirth;
- menopause;
- menstrual disorders;
- taking hormonal drugs (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 if there is no orgasm;
- frequent constipation;
- abortion;
- difficult childbirth;
- bent or prolapsed uterus;
- pelvic tumor.
Signs
The first symptoms of varicose veins on the lower leg:
- tiredness;
- heaviness in legs, worse in evening;
- burning and swelling;
- the appearance of spider veins and blue mesh.
Without treatment, patients face:
- night cramps;
- skin itching in the affected area.
At an advanced stage, other signs appear:
- pigment spots are concentrated on the lower third of the legs;
- cyanosis (blue color changes in certain areas of the skin);
- sclerotic changes in the subcutaneous tissue.
Varicose veins of the pelvic and uterine organs are characterized by certain symptoms:
- severe persistent or intermittent abdominal pain, which can become intense after ovulation or during menopause;
- menstrual disorders (dysmenorrhea);
- leucorrhoea (white or colorless);
- vaginal mucosa sensitivity;
- pain during sexual intercourse;
- pressure, weight 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 manifestation is 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, because the disease can provoke complications and unpleasant consequences:
- Eczema or foot trophic ulcers due to malnutrition.
- Dermatitis on the affected leg.
- The formation of blood clots due to blood stagnation in the veins.
- Thrombophlebitis.
- Pulmonary embolism.A thrombus that escapes through the bloodstream into the pulmonary artery and this threatens a person's lung infarction or sudden death.
Diseases of the uterus negatively affect the functioning of the endocrine system: in advanced stages, there is a decrease in female hormone levels and ovarian dysfunction, which causes menstrual irregularities.This process often leads to problems with pregnancy and childbirth, including infertility.
Development of pelvic organ vein pathology is also dangerous:
- uterine bleeding;
- the impossibility of natural birth and the threat of spontaneous abortion;
- uterine wall thrombophlebitis;
- thrombosis (blockage) of the ovarian vein.
Treatment
Including 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 the lower part of the lower part of any stage is impossible without the support of medicine.At the initial stage it becomes the basis of treatment, at the advanced stage it completes a set of measures.
- Phlebotonics- strengthens the vein walls, reducing the inflammatory process.
- Anticoagulants of direct and indirect action– thins the blood, facilitating its movement through the channels.Medicines are used under specialist supervision to avoid complications such as bleeding.
- Fibrinolytic– dissolves blood clots that form and reduces blood clotting.
Additional drug groups are prescribed taking into account the accompanying symptoms:
- NSAIDs- relieves pain, relieves swelling and inflammation.
- Preparation of female sex hormoneswith hormonal disorders.
- Hemostatics (coagulants)– hemostatic agent for the treatment of uterine bleeding.
- Antibiotics– prescribed in the presence of infectious lesions.
Minimally invasive intervention
- Sclerotherapy- glue the diseased vein from the inside with a special sclerosant to close the channel from blood flow.The treated area is overgrown with fibrous tissue and gradually recovers.
- Laser freezing– vein soldering is expanded using a laser.
- Radiofrequency ablation– intravascular thermal effect on the vessel wall to close the lumen.
Operation
Indicated for the development of disease complications and the ineffectiveness of drug therapy.In addition to the classical methods of surgical treatment of the lower part (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 for hardware monitoring of the progress of the operation, and then embolization drugs, which clog the affected vessels.
- Cuttings– compression of veins in the pelvis with special medical clips.The progress of the intervention is monitored using an endoscope.
- Resection (complete or partial removal) of the vessel– conducted from the perineum (labia majora area) or peritoneum.In the first option, an incision is made along the line of the labia, where the affected area is removed.In mild forms of pathology, vein resection is performed through several punctures if lesions are observed in the vaginal and vulva areas.When it spreads to the ovarian and uterine veins, the operation is performed through the retroperitoneum using a laparoscope or an endoscope.
Physiotherapy
- Hirudotherapy– treatment with leeches.Increases the elasticity of vein walls, improves blood circulation, prevents blood clots, relieves pain and swelling.
- massage– increasing the elasticity of blood vessels, normalizing valve function, strengthening the vein walls, can be done only in the early stages of disease development.
- Gymnastics and exercise therapy– regular exercise has a positive effect on vascular tone, preventing relapse and reducing the patient's condition.Recommended exercises: birch tree, bicycle, squats, scissors.Such gymnastics help normalize blood flow and remove congestion in blood vessels.Also useful: swimming, jogging, cycling.
- Hardening.As a result of alternating cold and heat, the tone of vascular walls increases, blood circulation is accelerated, microcirculation in tissues is restored, arterial blood inflow increases, outflow from the lymphatic and venous systems, and metabolic processes are activated.You need to start watering with warm water.
- UHF therapy– exposure to a continuous pulsed electric field with an ultrahigh frequency.It has an analgesic effect, relieves inflammation, improves blood flow, and stimulates the immune system.
- Myostimulation– the effect on muscles of low intensity currents.Helps increase the speed of blood flow, relieves 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 on the veins, resulting in:
- the speed of blood flow through the inner vessels increases;
- blood and lymph stagnation is eliminated;
- the severity of the signs of varicose veins decreases;
- the load on the legs is reduced;
- Complications during pregnancy, childbirth, and after surgery are prevented.
For varicose veins on the lower legs, 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 the dilated and weakened veins with the necessary nutrients.Dietary nutrition involves eating a large amount of vegetables and fruits, rich in plant fiber and protein foods.It is recommended to drink 1.5-2 liters of water a 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 burden 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 pathologies, but also for those who already have varicose veins:
- lead an active lifestyle;
- normalizing rest and work schedules;
- use a gentle contraceptive method;
- contrast shower;
- do gymnastic exercises every day;
- eat right;
- visit a massage therapist;
- take a venotonic prevention course;
- prevent constipation;
- minimize stress.
Special attention to prevention should be given to pregnant women;according to statistics, pathological widening of veins in the pelvis and lower legs is observed in 40% of cases.