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 fairer 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 are their signs and symptoms, what to do to treat and prevent this disease.
According to statistics, men are less likely to suffer from varicose veins than women who have vascular disease 1, 5 times more likely. What is the cause of the sexual characteristics of this pathology?
In addition to these, exclusively female, prerequisites for the development of pathology, varicose veins in women can be caused by the following factors:
Pathological dilatation of the pelvic vessels is a common problem faced by 15-25% of women of reproductive age. This disease is often confused with infectious and inflammatory processes localized in the reproductive organs of the female genitourinary system. Inadequate treatment is prescribed in connection with the misdiagnosis and the patient does not receive relief. Therefore, the problem of 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 - uterovaginal, vesicovaginal, uviform, rectal plexus and others. The cause of pelvic varicose veins in women is a violation of blood flow in these vessels. It is usually caused by congestion in the blood, 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, radiating to the pubis, sacrum and perineum.
The peak of pain usually occurs in the second half of the menstrual cycle, supplemented by severe premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea. Psychosomatic disorders may join these symptoms.
As noted above, the diagnosis of pathology is complicated by the fact that the symptoms of this venous disease in women can be misinterpreted as signs of purely gynecological problems. Therefore, in order to make a correct diagnosis, it will be necessary to perform transvaginal ultrasound, Doppler ultrasound, phlebography and in some cases diagnostic laparoscopy.
Both conservative and surgical approaches are used to treat varicose veins in the pelvis.
In the first case, the goal of therapy is to increase the tone of the venous walls, to normalize the nature of blood flow and blood viscosity. To solve these problems, patients are prescribed venotonics, hirudotherapy, ultrasound and magnetic therapy sessions, as well as exercise exercises. If conservative therapy for this disease of the pelvic vessels is ineffective, surgery is performed - sclerotherapy or embolization with veins in pregnant women.
Varicose veins are a problem for most pregnant women. This is due to the changes that occur in the body of the expectant mother during pregnancy. During this period there is a complete restructuring of the hormonal background, which is directly related to the condition of the vessels. For example, the growth of estrogen leads to changes in the structure of the muscular layer of the venous walls and vasodilation.
In addition to the hormonal changes that accompany the period of pregnancy and the birth of the baby, pregnancy and childbirth can provoke the development of venous diseases in pregnant women and for other reasons. First of all, it is an increase in body weight and a concomitant increase in the load on the lower extremities, as well as excessive stress that a woman in childbirth experiences during childbirth.
During pregnancy, there is an increase in the total volume of circulating blood, which occurs due to an increase in plasma and erythrocytes.
Depending on the stage of development, varicose veins of the legs manifest in different ways:
There are two main approaches to solving this problem: conservative and surgical. The first is usually used in the early stages of the pathology, while the second is justified to combat the later stages of the disease.
Conservative therapy includes medication, use of external products, attending physiotherapy sessions, wearing compression stockings, adjusting physical activity, daily routine, diet and drinking. In addition, you can use additional means to combat varicose veins - for example, Normaven® foot cream. Regular application on the lower extremities helps to get rid of puffiness, fatigue, heaviness and discomfort in the legs, the disappearance of night cramps and reducing the severity of the vascular pattern.
Due to its natural composition, the cream can also be used during pregnancy.
Surgery aims to completely or partially remove the varicose vein. Modern vascular surgery can offer the following types of operations:
As for the treatment of venous diseases in women aged 50-60 years and in older patients, the operation is usually not performed because it is stressful for the body.