What are the dangers of varicose veins in the groin during pregnancy and what treatment options are available? What to do with varicose veins during pregnancy Varicose veins of the perineum during pregnancy, what to do

Varicose veins are a persistent, irreversible expansion of veins and impaired blood flow. Often the pathology affects the lower part of the body: legs, genitals, pelvis. One of the provoking factors is pregnancy.

Causes and types of disease

Most women experience problems during this period of life, and if they suffered from varicose veins before pregnancy, the disease will progress even more.

Causes of the problem:

• Changes in hormone levels. During pregnancy, progesterone is actively produced, which relaxes the muscles of the uterus and the walls of blood vessels;
• Increased venous pressure;
• Increased blood clot formation;
• Decreased physical activity.

Types of disease:

• Varicose veins during pregnancy in the groin. Swollen veins in this area cause a feeling of distension;
• Uterine - occurs due to increased work of the iliac veins and hereditary predisposition. May develop as a result of long-term inflammatory diseases, abortion, menstrual irregularities;
• In the vagina;
• On foot.

Treatment

During the period of bearing a child, you cannot use all the methods that are usually used to eliminate the disease, for example, sclerotherapy, which involves injections of special substances, and surgery are strictly contraindicated for pregnant women, although these are the two most effective methods.

There are only two options left that are recommended for expectant mothers - wearing compression garments (special stockings, tights) and using topical products (ointments, creams). As for the latter, preparations based on horse chestnut extract and heparin have proven themselves well.

The process of childbirth in a woman with varicose veins

Enlarged veins are not a contraindication to pregnancy and childbirth. However, ladies with this diagnosis should monitor their condition more closely. The doctor will definitely suggest prevention of venous inflammation and thrombosis. Depending on the degree of the disorder, the delivery method will be chosen - caesarean section or natural birth.

Both a gynecologist and a phlebologist must solve this problem. If preference is given to the latter option, then the woman will definitely wear compression stockings or wrap her legs with elastic bandages to prevent the backflow of blood during pushing.

Do varicose veins in the groin go away in women after childbirth?

It is impossible to answer unequivocally. Usually, if varicose veins have disappeared, they may appear a little later. For some women, the situation gets even worse.

Modern medicine offers two ways to treat varicose veins - operative (surgery) and conservative (medicines).

There are often cases when, after childbirth, inflammation of the vein walls, thrombosis and thrombophlebitis are added to varicose veins. In such cases, the following symptoms occur: pain on palpation, tension in the veins, redness, increased temperature. The appearance of these signs is a reason for hospitalization.

A woman in this position should adhere to bed rest, her legs should be elevated. Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics, sulfonamides, anti-inflammatory and painkillers.

Sometimes coagulants can be used to prevent blood clotting, but they can only be taken a few days after birth to prevent uterine bleeding.

Prevention

Preventing the development of a disease is much easier than treating it. And since varicose veins in the groin or on the legs during pregnancy are a common occurrence, every expectant mother should be familiar with preventive measures, regardless of whether she has a predisposition to varicose veins or not.

If a woman has never encountered this problem, her family also does not have this disease, she does not spend all day on her feet and is not obese, then adherence to prevention will be quite simple.

If a pregnant woman has the complications described above, then she should take precautions with even greater diligence.

It is worth noting that with each subsequent pregnancy the risk of the appearance and development of varicose veins increases significantly.

When the first swollen venous “nodules” appear, even if they are very small, you should immediately contact a phlebologist or surgeon. Specialists will monitor you until the birth itself and for some time after it.

How to avoid varicose veins?

Long (at least 2 hours) walks should become a habit. This measure is an excellent warm-up for the calf muscles, and walking also improves blood circulation. However, on very hot days it is better not to go outside.

Swimming. Water procedures are both physical activity and a kind of massage. They have a positive effect on the spine, which experiences increasing stress as the abdomen grows. A contrast shower will also have a positive effect on blood vessels, but the temperature difference should not fluctuate too much.

Avoid high-heeled shoes. The height allowed is no more than 3-5 cm and the heel must be stable. Shoes should not have elastic bands, ties, or laces that squeeze or tighten the legs of pregnant women, because such elements impair blood circulation. This also applies to elastic bands on socks.

Lie systematically with your legs elevated. It is recommended to periodically rest for 20 minutes, placing a pillow or cushion under your feet.

Adhere to a certain daily routine, that is, constantly alternate positions “standing-sitting-lying”. You need to avoid extremes: don’t walk to the point of exhaustion, don’t lie on the couch all day, etc.

Do not sit cross-legged or on low seats. This way you put pressure on the veins, which provokes the development of the disease.

Diet also plays an important role. It is imperative to normalize intestinal function. In addition, a special diet has a beneficial effect on the condition of the vein walls, for example, you need to drink a lot of fluid. It doesn't have to be water or juice, but also soups, vegetables, and fruits.

Varicose veins are a disease that most often occurs in the lower extremities, where it is characterized by the appearance of thick, swollen veins under the skin and the formation of swelling in the legs. But this disease sometimes affects other parts of the body.

One of these common problems is varicose veins of the labia, which women suffer from during pregnancy.

What should you do if varicose veins appear in the groin, in the outer part of the vagina, or on the labia during pregnancy? What treatment methods will help to safely cope with the problem? And most importantly, is it possible to give birth?

This disease occurs usually in the third trimester of pregnancy, but it can appear much earlier - women often complain about this problem already at the beginning of the 2nd trimester. In most cases, it is formed against the background.

This pathology may not be noticed immediately. In the first stages of development, it is formed small soft nodule on the labia, which does not cause any inconvenience. Over time, it begins to grow, causing pain and other unpleasant sensations.

Often this disease goes away after the baby is born. But this does not mean that you can ignore it, especially if varicose veins continue to increase in size. If a disease is detected, you must consult a doctor, since in advanced cases, varicose veins of the labia during pregnancy can lead to serious complications that threaten the health of the mother and the unborn baby.

Causes and risk factors

This disease is typical specifically for pregnant women, since during this period the body is subjected to great stress. Body weight increases, and changes occur in the hormonal system. Levels of the hormones progesterone and estrogen increase sharply, which negatively affects the structure of the veins. They weaken and become more extensible.

Other common causes of this disease are:

• The fruit is growing, as a result, the uterus increases in size and compresses the lower part of the vena cava, as well as the iliac veins. This leads to circulatory disorders in the pelvic organs.
• Increased blood volume. To ensure that the fetus receives enough oxygen and nutrients, the body begins to produce more blood. It overflows the veins, which, due to increased pressure, stretch and their tone decreases.
• Chronic diseases of the genital organs characterized by inflammatory processes.
• Lack of physical activity, lack of mobility. If a woman is in a standing or sitting position for a long time, congestion occurs in her pelvic organs, blood circulation worsens, which contributes to the formation of pathology. The occurrence of inguinal varicose veins during pregnancy can also be associated with sudden physical activity - for example, when lifting weights.
• Physiological disorders in the structure of venous valves, congenital pathologies of the venous walls, as well as a genetic predisposition to varicose veins.
• Obesity. While carrying a child, a woman quickly gains weight, and this negatively affects the condition of the lower extremities, since the load on them increases. This contributes to the development, which often leads to varicose veins of the labia.
• Constipation. This problem is common to almost any woman during pregnancy. The activity of the intestines is disrupted, tension in it increases, resulting in increased pressure on the pelvic vessels, which provokes varicose veins.

Women who are giving birth more than the first time, carrying several children, as well as those whose previous births involved severe complications are predisposed to developing this disease.

How to give birth

This disease itself is not a contraindication to natural childbirth. Only if the pathology develops rapidly and the dilation of the veins has reached alarming proportions, can a caesarean section be indicated.

In any case, before giving birth you need to undergo the necessary examinations that will determine the possibility of natural childbirth. If the disease is detected in a timely manner, it can be managed before the onset of childbirth.

After the birth of a child, varicose veins often go away on their own, but if the disease was severe and advanced, it may continue into the postpartum period. Women are at the highest risk of recurrence of varicose veins in intimate areas during their next pregnancy. That's why it's so It is important to see a doctor, follow all his instructions and take preventive measures.

Danger and complications

Varicose veins of the perineum are a dangerous condition during pregnancy, which can lead to rupture of altered veins during childbirth and heavy bleeding. Another complication of this disease is acute varicothrombophlebitis, which is characterized by inflammatory processes in the walls of blood vessels with the formation of a blood clot.

It is for this reason that in severe cases, a cesarean section is prescribed to prevent these complications of varicose veins.

Symptoms

Before external signs of the disease appear, the pregnant woman the woman begins to feel the following unpleasant changes:

• painful sensations in the perineum;
• constant itching and burning;
• the labia appear swollen.

Discomfort is most pronounced in the evenings, especially if a woman spent many hours during the day in the same position, or if she experienced heavy physical activity.

Gradually nodules will begin to appear in the labia area. They look like small swellings, soft to the touch. Over time, these nodules expand under the influence of bulging veins, the symptoms become more pronounced, and the aesthetics of the genital organs deteriorate.

Unpleasant sensations in the intimate area cause a lot of inconvenience for a woman it becomes difficult to move, she experiences pain while walking, sitting for long periods of time, and even at night while sleeping. Most expectant mothers are forced to completely abandon sexual contact. And the problem here is not only that they are embarrassed to demonstrate modified genitals, but also fear possible damage to the swollen veins during sexual intercourse.

Since the slightest friction of clothing on the affected labia causes a lot of suffering, a woman has to wear loose underwear to minimize the contact of clothing with the genitals.

Diagnostics

You can detect the disease yourself by palpating the labia, but still It is recommended to consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis.

At the first signs of varicose veins of the genital organs during pregnancy, you should visit a phlebologist who will conduct an examination and give the necessary recommendations to prevent the development of the disease. To make an accurate diagnosis, your doctor may prescribe duplex scanning or ultrasound. Only after all these procedures is the course of suitable treatment determined.

Treatment methods

Although this disease Most cases go away on their own after the baby is born., certain treatment methods can prevent a number of complications during childbirth and alleviate the patient’s condition.

Medicines

The most common method of treating varicose veins in the groin during pregnancy is sclerotherapy. This procedure consists of injecting a special drug into the affected vein, as a result of which its condition is normalized. The injections are carried out in the hospital, the number of procedures depends on the severity of the disease.

Besides, To increase the tone of the veins, various drugs are used:

• Troxerutin;
• Diosmin;
• Detralex;
• Hesperidin;
• Phlebodia;
• Lyoton;
• Heparin;
• Gels, creams and ointments containing ginkgo biloba extract.

It is not recommended to choose a drug for treatment on your own, since some of them can cause irritation of the vaginal mucosa. You should seek your doctor's approval before using any product.

Compression underwear

Wearing special clothing, namely special compression stockings, helps restore the normal state of a swollen vein. Compression compresses the affected areas, putting pressure on the veins, as a result of which they are in constant tone.

In parallel with wearing compression garments, to relieve pain and support blood vessels, It is recommended to carry out special gymnastic exercises. For example, you can bend your knees one at a time while lying down. Or get on all fours with your head on the pillow. In this case, the pelvic area will be higher than the head, which will improve the flow of blood from the affected areas and relieve pain.

Can have a good effect raising on your toes, bending your knees while lying on your left side, or simply walking in place. A specific set of exercises is prescribed by a specialist based on individual indications.

Prevention measures

Preventing the appearance of varicose veins on the labia during pregnancy is not a very difficult task. It is enough to follow certain preventive measures:

• do not wear high heels;
• reduce the amount of salty and overly spicy foods in your diet, as well as foods high in vitamin C, which contributes to the formation of edema;
• avoid heavy physical activity, rest more often, but do not neglect regular exercise;
• control body weight;
• wear a special bandage that prevents the growing belly from putting unnecessary strain on the legs and pelvic organs;
• observe the rules of intimate hygiene - carry out hygiene procedures in the mornings and evenings, using special gels instead of soap, change underwear every day, giving preference to materials made from high-quality natural fabrics.

Varicose veins of the labia in pregnant women - the disease is unpleasant, but not very dangerous. Timely measures taken will help avoid its occurrence and prevent any other types of varicose veins. If the disease begins to manifest itself, you should not delay contacting a doctor. The sooner treatment begins, the less likely it is to develop dangerous complications.

The disease, which is commonly called varicose veins, is incredibly diverse, and sometimes this pathology can surprise many ordinary people.

Indeed, sometimes there is not only swelling of the venous structures in the legs, but often women are forced to face such a problem as varicose veins in the groin during pregnancy.

What is varicose veins in the groin area? Why does pathology so often occur during pregnancy? What should be done with such phenomena, since pregnancy does not allow a woman to use many standard treatment methods?

This is exactly what we will discuss in our publication today.

Why can pregnancy provoke varicose veins in the groin area?

Let us recall that varicose veins (varicose veins) are common pathologies in which there is damage (expansion, thickening, nodularity or thinning) of various vascular structures - veins. At the same time, varicose veins during pregnancy in the groin are only one type of the pathology under consideration.

This condition is characterized by:

It is in the groin that the problem most often arises during pregnancy. The problem may be barely noticeable, or it may cause expectant mothers a lot of unpleasant discomfort, anxiety and fear.

Deformations of the veins in the groin of a pregnant woman occur against the background of primary changes characteristic of the state of pregnancy.

Doctors identify several specific factors that provoke the appearance of problems during pregnancy - these are:

Practicing doctors note that in order to prevent such problems during pregnancy, it is important for women to monitor their diet, their own weight, do therapeutic exercises for pregnant women and regularly visit the gynecologist!

Symptoms of the problem. Which doctor should I contact?

The symptoms of varicose veins, as a rule, directly depend on the form and severity of the pathology. Varicose veins are deformation and expansion of the inguinal veins that occur during pregnancy and can manifest themselves as follows:

More often, pathology that occurs after pregnancy has moderate manifestations and progresses relatively slowly. The patient may experience more intense symptoms only in the later stages of pregnancy. At the same time, unpleasant symptoms can disappear on their own after a successful birth.

But, unfortunately, this is not always the case and the pathology in question in certain cases proceeds quite aggressively, complicated by other conditions that are more dangerous for a pregnant woman - bleeding, thrombophlebitis, thrombosis, varicose ulcers, etc.

That is why the first signs of the development of any vascular pathology during pregnancy should force a woman to consult a doctor as early as possible. In particular, initially, a woman should come for a consultation with a gynecologist, and if the doctor deems it necessary, then subsequently contact a phlebologist or even a vascular surgeon.

Do I need treatment? How?

It should be remembered that not all of the existing methods of treating varicose veins can be applied to women carrying a child. For example, sclerotherapy techniques and surgical actions at this stage of a woman’s life are extremely undesirable, although they can be carried out if the risk of disease progression and the development of its complications (life-threatening for the patient) is excessively high!

Therefore, in most cases, provided that the disease does not manifest itself too intensely, they prefer to only observe the pathology, without carrying out medication or other treatment that is unsafe for pregnancy.

In addition, in many cases, simply wearing compression garments (special shorts, stockings or knee socks) is quite effective in the fight against varicose veins.

Also, doctors often recommend that women, while carrying a baby, not neglect special therapeutic exercises, which help strengthen blood vessels and allow them to distribute the load on the body evenly, reducing pressure on certain areas of the venous bed.

Prevention

It is quite clear that in the case of varicose deformation of the vascular bed during pregnancy, it can be easier to prevent pathology than to successfully fight it! Undoubtedly, the role of basic prevention of this disease is truly enormous.

Even at the stage of pregnancy planning, you should make sure:

If a woman becomes pregnant and only at this stage decides to think about preventing the development of the pathology in question, to prevent possible problems she should:

If, despite the use of all preventive measures, the problem of varicose veins in the groin still arises while carrying a baby, you should immediately contact a gynecologist or phlebologist. It is quite possible that the condition can be corrected through the use of high-quality compression garments.

Patient Victoria, 23 years old, 27 weeks pregnant. The patient consulted a gynecologist with complaints about a bulging vein on the inside of the thigh, its pain, fatigue in the legs in the evenings, and the appearance of edema. After examination and diagnosis, the woman was diagnosed with varicose veins in the groin area. It is recommended to wear compression shorts, a bandage, as well as regular monitoring by a phlebologist.

In conclusion, I would like to say that varicose veins of the inguinal veins during pregnancy are a pathology that, although extremely unpleasant, is nevertheless quite harmless if women behave correctly. If a woman notices the problem in a timely manner, consults a doctor, and does not self-medicate, the disease recedes fairly quickly.

If the problem is started or aggravated by the incorrect use of various therapeutic techniques, varicose veins can turn into a serious disease, complicated and life-threatening.

Take care of your pregnancy, do not forget about reasonable prevention of problems and be healthy!

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Varicose veins in the groin during pregnancy are a fairly common disease, which is characterized by dilation and pathological changes in the veins of the external genitalia (VG) and brings expectant mothers discomfort, anxiety and, often, fear. Most often, this disease first appears or progresses noticeably during pregnancy. Now let’s figure out in order why women have to face this problem during this most beautiful and important period.

Causes

During pregnancy, many changes occur in the body and most of them are invisible to the naked eye. The well-known hormone progesterone, responsible for the preservation and development of pregnancy, it acts not only on the uterus, but also on the veins, or rather on their smooth muscle cells, thereby reducing their tone. This is the first and most important cause of varicose veins of the labia during pregnancy. Progesterone begins its negative impact on the venous wall from the earliest stages, when a woman only finds out that she will soon become a mother.

information The influence of hereditary factors should also not be underestimated. If your mother, older sister, grandmother suffered from this disease, then be prepared to face it too. In addition, another trigger is the pressure of the rapidly growing pregnant uterus on the pelvic vessels and difficulty in the outflow of blood through the veins. The final causative factor is rapid weight gain over nine months.

Symptoms

Externally, varicose veins of the lower extremities are very similar to those on the lower extremities. Here are the main symptoms of varicose veins of the labia during pregnancy:

• spider veins, nodules;
• an increase in the size and deformation of the shape of the veins and the labia themselves;
• discoloration and dryness of the skin in the affected areas;
• itching, discomfort and soreness.

If you find yourself with one or more of the signs listed above, you should definitely contact your gynecologist. To confirm the diagnosis and determine the stage, you will be prescribed additional examination. First of all, you will need to take tests - a general blood test with determination of platelet levels and a detailed blood test, which must include the following indicators: PTI (prothrombin index), APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time), fibrinogen A and B, INR (international normalized ratio) .

Treatment

Treatment of varicose veins in the groin during pregnancy is conservative. First of all, it includes changes in lifestyle and nutrition. It is necessary to move as much as possible, since while walking the work of the muscular-venous valves increases and the outflow of blood improves. Visiting the pool 2-3 times a week has a beneficial effect on the venous system and on the body of a pregnant woman in general. It is necessary to exclude salty, fried, smoked and fatty foods from the diet. Monitor your weight gain. If you gain more than 300 grams per week, you need to arrange a fasting day (cottage cheese, apple or rice).

Wear compression stockings and don’t forget to take them with you to the maternity hospital, they help reduce pressure in the veins of the pelvis, lower limbs and veins. A vascular surgeon will help you choose the type of stockings and compression class after consultation. It is necessary to know and strictly follow the general principles of wearing compression garments:

• use it daily;
• put on in the morning without getting out of bed;
• wash daily.

Among the medications, you may be prescribed venotonics (improving the tone of the veins) for general and local use (venotonics). Local preparations include various gels and ointments, which include gingo biloba, troxerutin, and heparin. General venotonics include substances such as diosmin, hesperidin and the same troxerutin. In the pharmacy chain, these drugs are represented by a wide range of different trade names (Detralex, Phlebodia,). They should be taken only after consulting a doctor.

additionally For most women, varicose veins in the groin disappear after childbirth. However, in some cases it may be necessary operational intervention. In modern vascular surgery, along with classical phlebectomy (removal of varicose veins), laser and radiofrequency coagulation of pathologically altered veins are widely and successfully used.

Every pregnant woman who faces this problem should follow all the recommendations of her gynecologist. With severe varicose veins in the groin, prenatal hospitalization at 38-39 weeks will be required for further examination and determination of the method of delivery. Most often, childbirth occurs spontaneously and without any complications. And only in cases of extensive varicose veins do obstetrician-gynecologists have to resort to delivery by cesarean section. Surgery is necessary in this case due to the risk of bleeding. , which may occur as a result of rupture of vaginal varicose veins during childbirth.