Chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins are widespread ailments: according to statistics, every third person faces in developed countries.The special risk group includes representatives of the fair sex, to whom this pathology delivers both physical and psychological discomfort.In this article we will consider why vascular diseases occur in women, what are their signs and symptoms, what to do for the treatment and prevention of this ailment.
Varicose veins: causes of varicose veins in women
According to statistical data, men are less likely to suffer from varicose veins than women whose vessel diseases occur 1.5 times more often.What caused the gender characteristic of this pathology?
- Features of hormonal background.During the monthly cycle, the hormonal background of the woman is subject to fluctuations, and during pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and menopause, these changes become even more significant.The ratio of female sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) has a direct effect on the condition of the vascular walls and blood viscosity.
- Hormone therapy.Combined oral contraceptives reception of hormone therapy and taking the hormonal background, thereby provoking a change in the ratio of estrogen and progesterone in the body.
- Wearing shoes in heels and tight trousers.Unknown shoes, narrow underwear and jeans - all this provokes a violation of blood flow in the lower extremities and pelvis, leading to the development of varicose veins.
In addition to these, exclusively female, prerequisites for the development of pathology, varicose veins in women can provoke the following factors:
- Genetically determined predisposition.According to statistics, a tendency to varicose veins is observed in 60% of cases if one of the parents suffers from this pathology.
- Significant excess weight.Obesity is one of the factors in the occurrence of varicose veins, since the lower limbs experience increased pressure.
- Excessive load on the legs.If you are professionally engaged in running, jumping or powerlifting, beneficial conditions are created for the development of problems with veins.
- Poor circulation caused by a fixed posture.If you spend most of the day sitting or standing, this is a serious prerequisite for the development of vein disease.
- Unstable nutrition.A diet, poor fiber, vitamins and trace elements, leads to disorders that affect the walls of blood vessels and the composition of the blood.In addition, an unbalanced diet can cause constipation, which are also able to lead to changes in the veins - in particular, to the varicose veins of the pelvis.
- Diseases of the endocrine and cardiovascular systems.Endocrine disorders provoke changes in the hormonal background, which, in turn, become prerequisites for the development of varicose veins.Cardiovascular pathologies (in particular-hypertension) also provoke the development of problems with the veins.
Varicose veins of the pelvic veins in women
Pathological dilatation 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.Due to an incorrect diagnosis, inappropriate treatment is prescribed and the patient does not receive relief.Consequently, the problem of diagnosis and adequate treatment of pelvic varicose veins is an urgent problem of modern phlebology and gynecology.
The blood supply to the pelvic organs occurs due to the uterine and ovary veins, as well as venous plexuses-uterine-vaginal, bubble-vaginal, formidable, plexus of the rectum, etc. The cause of the pelvic varicose veins in women is to violate blood flow in these vessels.It is usually caused by stagnation of blood, which can be due to the following premises:
- Sitting way of life;
- previously transferred gynecological diseases;
- violations of the hormonal background (in particular - high level of estrogen);
- a history of pregnancies and childbirth;
- congenital and acquired violations of connective tissue (namely, a disadvantage of collagen).
Opinion is an expert trait of this vein disease in women is the presence of chronic pelvic pain syndrome.It is represented by pain in the lower abdomen, radiating into the pubic zone, sacrum and crotch.
The peak of pain usually falls on the second half of the menstrual cycle, complemented by severe premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea.Psychosomatic disorders can join the mentioned symptoms.
As noted above, diagnosing the pathology is complicated by the fact that the symptoms of this vein disease in women can be mistakenly interpreted as signs of purely gynecological problems.Therefore, to make a correct diagnosis, transvaginal ultrasound, Dopplerography, phlebography, and, in some cases, diagnostic laparoscopy will be required.
For the treatment of varicose veins of a small pelvis, both a conservative and operational approach is used.
In the first case, the purpose of therapy is to increase the tone of the venous walls, normalization of the nature of blood flow and blood viscosity.To solve these problems, patients are prescribed venotonics, conducting hirudotherapy sessions, ultrasound and magnetotherapy, as well as exercises of exercise therapy.If the conservative therapy of this disease of the pelvis is ineffective, surgical intervention is carried out - sclerosis or embolization with veins in pregnant women.
Problems with Vienna in pregnant women
Varicose veins are the problem of most pregnant women.It is due to the changes that occur in the body of the expectant mother during gestation.During this period, there is a complete restructuring of the hormonal background, which is directly related to the state of blood vessels.For example, the growth of estrogens leads to changes in the structure of the muscle layer of the venous walls and the expansion of blood vessels.
In addition to hormonal changes accompanying the period of gestation and birth of the baby, pregnancy and childbirth are able to provoke the development of vein diseases in pregnant women and for other reasons.First of all, it is an increase in body weight and the concomitant growth of the load on the lower limbs, as well as the excessive tension that the woman in labor experiences during contractions.
During pregnancy, an increase in the total volume of circulating blood is observed, which occurs due to the growth of plasma and red blood cells.
Vein diseases in women: symptoms and signs
Depending on the stage of development, varicose veins on the legs are manifested in different ways:
- The initial stage of the pathological process is easy not to notice, since its manifestations are usually minimal.Small vascular stars appear on the legs, in the evening there is a slight feeling of discomfort, by the end of the day there may be slight swelling.Even if the described clinical picture does not cause much anxiety as soon as you have the named symptoms, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
- If the disease was not found at the initial stage and treatment was not started on time, problems with veins in women are exacerbated.The venous grid is becoming more pronounced, the characteristic nodes and cereals are clearly distinguishable under the skin, swelling and a sense of bursting in the lower extremities cause serious discomfort.
- If the disease was not treated or treated inefficiently, it goes into a neglected form.The affected veins are very highlighted under the skin, there is constant edema, convulsions occur at night, the skin in the area of the legs can change color and covered with trophic ulcers.
Venus diseases in women: treatment
Two main approaches to solving this problem are distinguished: conservative and surgical.The first of them is usually used at the initial stages of the development of pathology, while the second is justified to combat later stages of the disease.
Conservative therapy includes taking medications, using funds for external use, visiting physiotherapy sessions, wearing compression knitwear, correction of physical exertion, daily routine, nutrition and drinking regime.In addition, you can use additional tools to combat varicose veins - for example, Norman® legs cream.Its regular application on the lower limbs helps to get rid of swelling, fatigue, severity and discomfort in the legs, the disappearance of nightly seizures and a decrease in the expressness of the vascular pattern.
Due to the natural composition, the cream can be used during pregnancy.
Surgical intervention is aimed at full or partial removal of varicose veins.Modern vascular surgery can offer the following types of operations:
- Combined phlebectomy.
- Laser coagulation.
- Radio frequency coagulation.
- Sclerosis.
If we are talking about the treatment of vein diseases in women of 50-60 years and in patients of more elderly, surgical intervention is usually not carried out, since it is a stress for the body.