From this article you will learn: the main symptoms and methods of treating varicose veins in women. Effective drugs and ointments that relieve symptoms of the disease (their advantages and disadvantages). The importance of compression therapy.
According to statistics, up to 20% of the population suffers from varicose veins of the lower extremities, while in women the disease occurs 2 times more often. It has been proven that women have additional predisposing factors that contribute to a decrease in vascular tone (pregnancy, taking estrogen-progestogen contraceptives, imbalance of sex hormones). The types of treatment for leg veins do not differ between men and women, however, the frequency of postoperative relapses in women is higher due to the additional influence of hormones (estrogenic and progesterone influence).
Venous diseases of the legs must be treated by a phlebologist who deals specifically with this pathology. Various methods of treating varicose veins are not radical, since they are not aimed at eliminating the main pathogenetic cause - the failure of the valve apparatus of the vein. Surgical and conservative treatment delay the progression of the disease for long periods. The recurrence rate is high and reaches from 10 to 50% 5 years after surgery.
Treatment of varicose veins should be comprehensive. There are three groups of methods for eliminating varicose veins:
Each type of treatment has its own advantages and disadvantages and a certain relapse rate. The choice of method is conditional, since the phlebologist often has to combine all three methods to achieve the most favorable outcome.
Symptoms of varicose veins begin with the appearance of such functional disorders as a feeling of heaviness in the legs, swelling of the ankle joints at the end of the working day. Spider veins first form on the skin of the legs.
Spider veins are one of the first symptoms of the development of varicose veins of the legs
The main signs of the disease - associations of varicose saphenous veins - appear several years after the onset of the disease.
If left untreated at this stage, symptoms such as cramps in the calf muscles and itchy skin on the legs occur.
Signs of trophic disorders: skin pigmentation in the lower third of the leg, cyanosis, sclerotic changes in the subcutaneous tissue, eczema, against which a trophic ulcer forms.
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Now let's talk about therapy methods.
The method is based on the introduction, under ultrasound guidance, of a special disposable catheter into the lumen of the dilated vein.
The catheter is equipped with a special electrode, the working part of which is heated to 120 degrees under the influence of radiofrequency radiation. Advancement of the catheter along the vein leads to gluing or “welding” of the vascular wall. Obliterated veins are excluded from the circulatory system of the legs.
The surgical technique consists of puncture of the affected vein and insertion of a laser light guide into its lumen under ultrasound control. Under the influence of laser radiation, the proteins of the vascular wall coagulate, as a result of which the vein collapses and after some time is overgrown with connective tissue.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and endovenous laser obliteration (EVLO) are relatively new methods of treating varicose veins on the legs. Despite the differences in execution techniques, they have common characteristics.
RFA or EVLO is chosen by women who want to treat varicose veins on an outpatient basis with minimal restriction of physical activity in the postoperative period and while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of their legs.
A special drug is injected into the lumen of the affected segment of the vein, which has a sclerosing (“gluing”) effect on the vascular wall. The sclerosing agent can be used in liquid or foam form. Preference should be given to foam sclerotherapy due to the larger area of contact of the substance with the vein wall.
Advantages and disadvantages of phlebosclerotherapy:
Recurrence of varicose veins after sclerotherapy depends on the lumen of the affected vessel - the wider the lumen, the higher the risk of recanalization in it. Sclerosing therapy is chosen in the treatment of recurrent varicose veins after surgical phlebectomy.
Surgery is a more radical way to eliminate varicose veins. The principles of surgical treatment are to eliminate the pathological discharge of blood from the deep to the superficial veins of the legs and remove the dilated vessels themselves. Stages of combined phlebectomy:
It is preferable to treat surgically for the trunk type of lesion, when varicose deformation of the large or small saphenous veins occurs over a significant extent. And also when there are signs of trophic disorders of soft tissues and symptoms of decompensation of venous insufficiency.
Miniphlebectomy is a separate surgical option that can treat varicose veins of the legs in the initial stages. It is most often used in the presence of single varicose veins on the legs. A puncture is made in the skin over the pathological formation and the vein is pulled out and crossed using a hook. The operation does not require general anesthesia or skin sutures.
It is necessary to begin treating varicose veins in the legs with the use of medication and compression therapy. Prescribing medications that improve blood circulation and wearing medical compression stockings are the main conditions that determine the outcome of any surgical intervention on the veins of the legs.
Medicines relieve symptoms of venous insufficiency and are used as preoperative preparation and postoperative rehabilitation.
Groups of drugs for the treatment of varicose veins:
It is necessary to treat varicose veins in the legs with phlebotonic and antiplatelet drugs for a long time, either continuously or in the form of repeated courses.
Elastic compression of the legs is the leading method of treatment in cases where surgery is contraindicated. Elastic bandages and special medical knitwear can be used as compression products: stockings, knee socks, tights. Medical products are highly durable, maintain the original level of compression for a long time, and are comfortable to wear, which is important for women.
There are 4 classes of elastic knitwear depending on the degree of compression. It is recommended to treat varicose veins using class 2 products in the absence of disease progression for up to 6 months and with further use during physical activity or during prolonged standing. If there are signs of damage to the valves of the deep veins or severe symptoms of impaired lymphatic drainage, then class 3 jerseys are prescribed until the progression of varicose veins stops.
The therapeutic effect of compression hosiery is due to:
Compression knitwear products from the following manufacturers are widely used: Sigvaris, Relaxsan, ORTO, INTEX.
Varicose veins are a common ailment in adults, which mainly affects women aged 40–60 years. The disease is characterized by instability of the valves of the blood vessels of the leg and thigh, as well as dysfunction of blood flow and pathological venous expansion.
For various reasons, the walls of blood vessels are unable to function, and their natural elasticity is completely lost.
Various experts identify different stages of varicose veins, but the main ones are considered to be 3 stages, plus the initial stage, when the disease manifests itself unnoticed and can only be considered if you listen to the “signals” of the body:
In fact, starting from stage 2 of the disease, and, better yet, from stage 1, you should consult a phlebologist, since the disease is quite serious and the sooner you take the necessary measures, the faster the progression to subsequent stages of the disease will stop.
It must be remembered that each stage of the disease is dangerous due to adverse consequences for the entire body, not just the limbs. To know what to do for varicose veins, you need to visit a phlebologist.
Varicose veins in women have a number of symptoms that are difficult to confuse with other ailments. In order not to miss the initial stage of the disease, you should be aware of the first signs of varicose veins and take the necessary measures in time.
Main symptoms of the disease:
Other signs of varicose veins should also be noted:
Symptoms will worsen if therapy is not done in a timely manner. Trophic changes can spread further to the skin of the lower leg and foot. The top layer will dry out, turn blue, and begin to swell.
In connection with the development of varicose veins, you can observe:
When extraneous signs of the disease occur, such as fever or lethargy, the disease enters the complication phase. There is an extremely rare symptom - bleeding during node rupture. Most often appear at night.
When the advanced pathology of varicose veins predominates, the symptoms immobilize and often become the cause of subsequent disability. High swelling prevents you from sleeping and deprives you of peace of mind.
Sometimes the symptoms are so intense and painful that they affect the central nervous system and the general tone of the patient. In such a situation, decisive therapeutic measures are needed, since the pathology is only developing.
Such reasons include:
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When varicose veins are identified, the patient must understand that therapy is long and tedious.
It is impossible to completely eliminate the disease, but it is entirely possible to stop the worsening of the pathology:
During varicose veins it is prohibited:
The clinical effect depends on the stage at which the disease is detected. The sooner it is diagnosed, the higher the likelihood of complete healing.
Otherwise, there may be the following adverse consequences:
One of the most difficult complications is acute thrombophlebitis, which has the following symptoms:
Emerging blood clots enter a favorable course of the process, and in this case, with the therapy provided, they will organize and then resolve. In this regard, recanalization of the vessel will begin. The lumen may be completely blocked. Therefore, there is a high probability of obliteration and sclerosis of the damaged vein.
When the disease develops, factors appear that accompany varicothrombophlebitis. Next, lebothrombosis occurs. The disease will spread to the deep vein system and pulmonary embolism will begin. If you refuse therapy, occlusion of the vessels of the extremities may occur, when the outflow of blood stops and gangrene appears.
It is very important to know about the symptoms of this pathology.
When a patient is at risk, he must follow certain preventive measures throughout his life.
These measures are recommended to be taken in the vast majority of situations, if no acute contraindications are detected.
Most women associate varicose veins with constant heaviness in the lower extremities, swollen veins and regular discomfort that occurs during prolonged walking or sitting. However, varicose veins do not always affect the lower extremities; quite often they affect the pelvic area, in particular the groin area and genitals. This type of disease causes a lot of inconvenience for the fair sex, significantly limiting their quality of life. According to statistics, varicose veins in women in the groin most often appear during childbearing age, but there are exceptions. In addition, many cases of successful treatment of this disease have been described in medicine, but a favorable outcome is not always possible, since ARVMT is difficult to diagnose, especially at an early stage.
The main cause of pelvic varicose veins is connective tissue dysplasia. This deviation represents a partial dysfunction of the connective tissue and a partial disruption of its structure. Moreover, such changes occur not in a local area, but throughout the entire body. One of the possible consequences of connective tissue dysplasia is the weakening of vascular walls, mostly those in which the amount of muscle tissue is negligible, in the veins, for example.
The occurrence of tissue dysplasia can be facilitated by unfavorable environmental conditions and even the ordinary effects of the fetus on the body during pregnancy. However, there are other reasons as a result of which varicose veins appear in women in the groin and pelvis:
Quite often, varicose veins in women in the groin area provokes reflux through the sphenofemoral anastomosis, spreading into the external genital vein system and along the posterointernal tributary of the great saphenous vein. But the trigger for this disease is, of course, pregnancy. But at the same time, only two to ten percent of pregnant women retain URVMT after childbirth.
Among the visual symptoms, the first to be noted are enlarged veins on the upper thighs, genitals, buttocks and groin. Also, some women experience increased discharge from the perineum for no apparent reason. The list of common symptoms of the disease is much wider; this is a “dull” pain in the lower abdomen, radiating to the groin and lower back, intensifying immediately before the onset of menstruation.
This is also increased pain syndrome that occurs due to prolonged standing, sitting or excessive physical activity. In rare cases, the pain becomes unbearable right during sexual intercourse. With ARVMT, pain in the groin area appears constantly and is often accompanied by urination disorders.
For the convenience of diagnosing varicose veins in the pelvis, the disease was divided into three degrees, each of which is determined by the localization of venous ectasia and the diameter of dilated vessels:
Thanks to modern ultrasound diagnostic methods, varicose veins in women in the groin are successfully detected at the earliest stages. However, ultrasound alone is not always enough to definitively confirm the diagnosis; doctors often additionally prescribe ovaricogaphy or venography. But this does not always happen; in clinical practice, cases of duplex scanning of the small pelvis by transvaginal (through insertion into the vagina) and transabdominal (through the anterior peritoneum) methods are common. This is the most ordinary ultrasound examination, only with better visualization. If it is necessary to clarify the presence of third-party pathologies of the pelvic organs in a woman, then in such cases computed tomography is used. Laparoscopy is used extremely rarely, and if it is used, it is usually transformed into a procedure for ligating the ovarian veins.
This type of treatment is usually used for first and second degree varicose veins. The standard treatment course includes regular physical therapy and the use of venotonics (a nonspecific anti-inflammatory drug). Additionally, symptomatic treatment is provided, increased physical activity is eliminated and, if possible, working conditions are adjusted (change of workplace).
Among other things, conservative treatment also applies to the daily diet. It should be dominated by fruits and vegetables, vegetable oil. It is recommended to abstain from smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages for a while or give them up forever. Additionally, every day you need to take a contrast shower, directing a stream of rising water directly to the groin.
Unloading exercises like “bicycle”, “scissors” or “birch tree” are especially effective in treating varicose veins. They are recommended to spend at least half an hour daily, dividing the sessions into morning training and evening training. After evening workouts, the next day you feel better, sometimes even the pain goes away.
It is imperative to choose therapeutic compression hosiery and wear it constantly. In such underwear, the veins receive additional help, as a result of which blood flows much better from the pelvis, lower extremities and buttocks.
Among venoactive drugs, Detralex is most often prescribed in a standard dose. After just two and a half to three months of taking this medication, women notice a general improvement in their condition and a decrease in pain. Varicose veins in women in the groin often affect the menstrual cycle, so to alleviate it, Detralex should be taken a few weeks before menstruation.
If the above-described conservative treatment methods do not alleviate or improve the patient’s condition, surgical treatment is used in such cases. The same applies to the third degree of the disease, which most often they do not try to cure using conservative methods, but immediately proceed to surgery.
In addition to surgical treatment, modern medicine can also offer the method of laser coagulation. The essence of this procedure comes down to the introduction of special conductors into the affected veins, which glue the vein walls together with subsequent exposure to a laser beam. After the operation, the treated veins gradually lose their function and dissolve after some time. There is also a chemical method for treating varicose veins, which differs from the previous method only in that not a conductor is inserted into the vein, but another substance - a sclerosant, which glues the veins together without the help of a laser. Both treatment methods are very effective, since reoperation is required in only 1.5% of cases.
Most often, dilation of the veins in the pelvis is complicated by various inflammatory diseases of the uterus, bladder and appendages. Some women experience dysfunctional uterine bleeding due to impaired venous outflow. Sometimes inflammatory diseases of the above organs lead to thrombosis of the pelvic veins.
Standard preventive measures boil down to normalizing working and rest conditions, as well as eliminating excessive physical activity. In addition, it is strongly recommended to spend as little time as possible in an upright position. Along with the preventive measures described above, a light fruit and vegetable diet is provided, which includes reducing the consumption of meat products.
Every day, as preventive measures, you should take a contrast shower and perform simple unloading exercises against varicose veins. People at risk are recommended to use class 2 compression hosiery on an ongoing basis. Periodic use of venotonics is possible every 3-4 months (in courses). Among these drugs, it is worth mentioning phlebodia 600, which needs to be taken only once a day, which makes it much easier to take.
The correct answer to the question of how to treat varicose veins on the legs in women is the opportunity for a high-quality and fulfilling life. After all, it’s no secret that ignoring therapeutic measures and consultations with a doctor leads to disastrous consequences: disability, the occurrence of trophic ulcers, thrombosis, and the worst option – death.
As medical statistics show, the cause of varicose veins is a hereditary factor, therefore, knowing the problem of your relatives, it is necessary to engage in disease prevention from a young age.
In addition, doctors identify the causes of varicose veins in women:
Each of these factors affects the normal functioning of the blood in the lower extremities, which provokes the development of the disease.
Unfortunately, not all women attach due importance to symptoms at the initial stage of development of the disease. Symptoms of varicose veins are attributed to tired legs, heat, uncomfortable shoes, and tight trousers. It is early diagnosis that allows you to choose effective treatment and quickly save a woman from the problem.
A woman may experience the following signs of varicose veins:
The appearance of this disease may be accompanied by a change in the structure of the skin; it will be denser, and abrasions and bruises will more often appear on it, even from a minor blow.
A woman can diagnose varicose veins in her legs at an early stage; it is her attentiveness to her body that will allow her to begin treatment on time and avoid serious complications.
When choosing a treatment method, the doctor will primarily focus on the cause that caused varicose veins. It is the elimination of pathological changes that will cure the disease.
Varicose veins on the legs in women can be treated in several ways:
Drug therapy includes a wide range of medications that help cope with the disease at various stages of its course. The simplest and most effective way is to use ointments. Many of the ointments presented can eliminate several symptoms at once, including pain.
Doctors name the following ointments as popular and effective:
Medicines are selected individually only by the attending physician, but they must be included in the following groups:
If it is necessary to use a surgical method in the treatment of varicose veins of the legs, the doctor may offer several options for surgical intervention:
Women's compression hosiery is also important in treatment. It is used as an adjuvant and as a preventive measure. Wearing compression garments provides many benefits and treatment is faster.
Among the main advantages of such underwear, doctors name the following:
Wearing compression garments and elastic bandages is allowed only during the day; legs should rest at night.
Traditional medicine has a lot of recipes that help cope with the disease. But it is worth remembering that any of the recipes should be used in complex therapy and only after consultation with the attending physician. Self-medication can be fatal or cause more serious complications.
There are such folk recipes for the treatment of varicose veins:
It is important to remember that self-medication or using only traditional recipes can be fatal or lead to more serious complications.
What are the dangers of varicose veins on the legs of women? What consequences can occur with improper treatment?
This disease is not a cosmetic problem and therefore requires immediate and professional treatment.
Experts highlight the following possible complications and consequences:
Pain in the legs, discomfort in the calf muscles, heaviness - all these are symptoms of a rather unpleasant disease. More often, the disease appears on the legs of the fair sex in adulthood. But recently, swollen veins and blood vessels have appeared in middle-aged girls and men. Therefore, it is important to have information on how to treat varicose veins on the legs of women.
Often problems with veins in the legs are hereditary. In this case, it is necessary to begin taking preventive measures as early as possible. But more often the appearance of this disease is provoked by concomitant diseases, hormonal changes, and unhealthy habits.
An incorrect diet and excessive consumption of unhealthy, fatty, high-calorie foods cause an increase in the level of bad cholesterol. And the love for fast carbohydrates provokes surges in blood glucose levels.
Other causes of varicose veins in women include:
Prolonged immobility in any position provokes stagnation of blood circulation. To avoid this problem, you need to periodically warm up and change your body position.
Important! Beautiful, but tight and uncomfortable underwear, narrow shoes with high heels can also lead to the formation of varicose veins.
Many women skip the initial stage of the disease, attributing the discomfort to uncomfortable shoes, fatigue, or hot weather. But with varicose veins, the main thing is not to start the disease and start timely treatment.
Signs of varicose veins in women:
The disease is also accompanied by prolonged healing of bruises and abrasions. The skin on the calves acquires a denser structure, shines, and hair loss may occur in a certain area.
Physical activity and staying on your feet for a long time increases the manifestation of unpleasant sensations. You should consult a doctor who treats varicose veins if two or more signs appear.
Important! Varicose veins are not only an aesthetic problem, but also a very dangerous disease. Poor vein patency leads to the formation of blood clots. And this is always a high risk of sudden death.
Varicose veins can affect not only the lower extremities. The problem can occur anywhere where blood vessels are weakened.
Varicose veins of the pelvis in women - this type of disease often occurs in pregnant women, during adolescence and during menopause. In adolescents, the disease is asymptomatic; the amount of vaginal discharge may only increase. The disease can affect the ovaries, labia, and uterus.
In adulthood, the disease manifests itself as pain in the lower abdomen, which intensifies with prolonged exposure to an upright position. The pain may radiate to the groin or lower back.
Some hormonal drugs and contraceptives can provoke the disease. Frequent interruptions of sexual intercourse, multiple births, and sexual dysfunctions increase the risk of developing the disease.
Varicose veins of the ovaries and pelvis are usually accompanied by pronounced premenstrual syndrome.
Symptoms of varicose veins of the uterus resemble many gynecological diseases. Therefore, incorrect treatment is often prescribed. This disease also differs from pelvic varicose veins, although both diseases can occur in the same way.
Pain with varicose veins of the uterus is more intense and prolonged, often leading to disability. The disease is accompanied by pain during sex. The menstrual cycle increases to 50 days, discharge becomes scanty.
Important! Varicose veins of the uterus practically do not occur in adolescents; they affect women of reproductive age.
The cause of this varicose veins may be frequent abortions, prolonged labor and prolonged gynecological inflammation.
Close attention should be paid to varicose veins during pregnancy. Pregnant women are at increased risk. Most often during this period, varicose veins occur in the groin in women and varicose veins of the labia. Vein diseases affect every third woman in labor.
The cause of varicose veins is poor blood flow, especially in the last stages of pregnancy. This is due to an increase in pressure inside the peritoneum; an enlarged abdomen leads to pressure on the blood vessels.
Pregnancy changes a woman's hormonal levels. An increase in the content of certain hormones in the body leads to stagnation of blood, the walls of blood vessels stretch.
Venous problems may disappear after the baby is born. But if there is a genetic predisposition and other unfavorable factors, the disease can progress further.
Important! To prevent the development of varicose veins, it is better to purchase compression garments and a bandage and wear them during the last trimester.
Ignoring the disease can lead to serious complications and many associated diseases. What are the dangers of varicose veins on the legs of women? It is interesting to know that varicose veins in men are different from female vein disease.
The use of medicinal drugs helps improve the condition of blood vessels and valves, helps get rid of inflammation, and normalizes the movement of blood and lymph. All medications are prescribed by a phlebologist.
Complex therapy includes products for external use, ointments for varicose veins and tablets that help overcome the disease from the inside.
All medications for the treatment of varicose veins are divided into the following groups:
Additionally, medications containing vitamin E may be prescribed.
Some medications (angistax, troxevasin) are available in the form of gels and capsules. Such drugs have a wide range of activities, which greatly simplifies treatment.
Important! It is impossible to eliminate varicose veins with medications. This requires operational intervention.
To treat venous diseases at home, you can use natural gifts. Folk remedies for the treatment of varicose veins do not provide as quick an effect as medications. But treatment with home recipes is absolutely harmless and affordable.
The effectiveness of treating varicose veins with apple cider vinegar is recognized even by doctors. The composition of this product is characterized by a high content of iron, potassium, fiber and amino acids. Hydrochloric acid gives apple cider vinegar special value - this ingredient is contained in rare plants and products.
Apple cider vinegar can be taken internally. To do this, mix 30 ml of apple cider vinegar with 5 ml of honey. The remedy is taken before breakfast and before going to bed.
Herbal treatment is no less effective.
Repeat the procedures twice a day. Duration of treatment – 5 days. You can repeat the course after a five-day break.
Mash 20 g of nettle, pour 170 ml of boiling water. After 55 minutes, strain the broth, divide into 3 equal portions, which should be drunk during the day.
Grind the garlic in the white shell (the cloves with the blue peel are too sharp). Add 2 parts homemade butter to 1 part garlic pulp.
The remedy should be applied to varicose veins. After which the affected areas are wrapped with parchment paper and bandages. In the morning, the product must be washed off and immediately put on warm tights.
Any methods and means of treating varicose veins will be useless without preventive measures. Swimming, gymnastics, comfortable clothes and shoes, and the absence of harmful excesses will help you gain an easy gait and healthy veins.