Chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins are widespread diseases: according to statistics, in developed countries every third person faces them. A special risk group includes the fair sex, to whom this pathology causes both physical and psychological discomfort. In this article we will look at why vascular diseases occur in women, what their signs and symptoms are, what to do to treat and prevent this ailment.
According to statistics, men are less likely to suffer from varicose veins than women, who have vascular diseases 1. 5 times more likely. What is the reason for the gender characteristic of this pathology?
In addition to these, exclusively female prerequisites for the development of the pathology, varicose veins in women can be triggered by the following factors:
Pathological dilation of the pelvic vessels is a common problem faced by 15-25% of women of reproductive age. This disease is often mistaken for infectious and inflammatory processes localized in the reproductive organs of the female genitourinary system. In connection with the wrong diagnosis, inappropriate treatment is prescribed, and the patient does not receive relief. Consequently, the problem of the diagnosis and adequate therapy of pelvic varicose veins is an urgent problem of modern phlebology and gynecology.
The blood supply to the pelvic organs is due to the uterine and ovarian veins, as well as the venous plexuses - utero-vaginal, vesico-vaginal, uviform, rectal, etc. The cause of pelvic varicose veins in women is the violation of blood flow in these vessels. It is usually caused by blood congestion, which can be caused by the following:
Expert opinionThe main symptom of this venous disease in women is the presence of chronic pelvic pain syndrome. It is represented by pain in the lower abdomen, which radiates to the area of the pubis, sacrum and perineum.
Peak pain usually occurs in the second half of the menstrual cycle, complemented by severe PMS and dysmenorrhea. Psychosomatic disorders can join these symptoms.
As noted above, the diagnosis of the pathology is difficult because the symptoms of this venous disease in women can be misinterpreted as signs of purely gynecological problems. Therefore, to make the correct diagnosis, it will be necessary to conduct transvaginal ultrasound, Doppler ultrasound, phlebography and, in some cases, diagnostic laparoscopy.
Both conservative and surgical approaches are used for the treatment of varicose veins in the small pelvis.
In the first case, the goal of therapy is to increase the tone of the venous walls, normalize the nature of blood flow and blood viscosity. To solve these problems, patients are prescribed sessions of venotonics, hirudotherapy, ultrasound and magnetotherapy, as well as physical therapy exercises. If conservative therapy for this disease of the pelvic vessels is ineffective, then surgical intervention is performed: sclerotherapy or embolization with veins in pregnant women.
Varicose veins are a problem for most pregnant women. It is due to the changes that occur in the expectant mother's body during gestation. During this period, there is a complete restructuring of the hormonal background, which is directly related to the state of the vessels. For example, the growth of estrogen leads to changes in the structure of the muscle layer of the venous walls and to vasodilation.
In addition to the hormonal changes that accompany the period of gestation and birth of a child, pregnancy and childbirth can provoke the development of venous diseases in pregnant women and for other reasons. First of all, this is an increase in body weight and a concomitant increase in the load on the lower limbs, as well as excessive stress that a woman in labor experiences during labor.
During pregnancy, an increase in the total volume of circulating blood occurs, which occurs due to an increase in the content of plasma and red blood cells.
Depending on the stage of development, varicose veins on the legs manifest themselves in different ways:
There are two main approaches to solve this problem: conservative and surgical. The first of them is usually used in the early stages of the development of the pathology, while the second is justified in combating the later stages of the disease.
Conservative therapy includes taking medication, using external products, participating in physiotherapy sessions, wearing compression stockings, correcting physical activity, daily routine, ldiet and diet. Also, you can use additional remedies to fight varicose veins, for example Normaven® Foot Cream. Its regular application to the lower limbs helps to eliminate swelling, fatigue, heaviness and discomfort in the legs, the disappearance of nocturnal cramps and a decrease in the severity of the vascular pattern.
Thanks to its natural composition, the cream can also be used during pregnancy.
Surgery is aimed at the complete or partial removal of varicose veins. Modern vascular surgery can offer the following types of operations:
When it comes to the treatment of venous diseases in women between the ages of 50 and 60 and in older patients, surgery is usually not done, as it is stressful for the body.