Venous diseases in women: causes, symptoms, treatment

Chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins are a widespread disease: statistics show that one in three people in developed countries face them. A special risk group is the fair sex, for whom this pathology causes physical and psychological discomfort. In this article, we examine why vascular diseases occur in women, what their signs and symptoms are, what needs to be done to treat and prevent this disease.

Varicose veins: the cause of varicose veins in women

Statistics show that men are less likely to suffer from varicose veins than women, who have 1. 5 times more vascular disease. What is the reason for the sex of this pathology?

• Characteristics of the hormonal background. During the menstrual cycle, a woman’s hormonal background 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 vessel walls and the viscosity of the blood.
• Hormone therapy. Hormone replacement therapy and the use of combined oral contraceptives alter hormonal levels, thereby altering the ratio of estrogen to progesterone in the body.
• High heels and tight pants. Uncomfortable shoes, tight underwear and jeans - all of which cause a violation of blood flow to the lower limbs and pelvis, leading to the development of varicose veins.

In addition, the following factors are the only preconditions for the development of pathology in women, and varicose veins in women can be caused by:

• Genetically determined predisposition. According to statistics, a predisposition to varicose veins is observed in 60% of cases when one parent suffers from this pathology.
• Significant overweight. Obesity is a factor in the development of varicose veins as the lower extremities experience increased pressure.
• Excessive stress on the legs. Whether you are a professional jogger, jumper or powerlifting professional, there are favorable conditions for the development of venous problems.

• Circulatory disorder caused by a fixed posture. Spending most of the day sitting or standing is a serious prerequisite for the development of venous diseases.
• An unbalanced diet. A diet low in fiber, vitamins and trace elements leads to disorders that affect the walls of blood vessels and blood composition. In addition, an unbalanced diet can cause constipation, which can also lead to changes in the veins - especially in the pelvis.
• Endocrine and cardiovascular diseases. Endocrine disorders change the hormonal background, which in turn become prerequisites for varicose veins. Cardiovascular pathologies (especially hypertension) also provoke the development of venous problems.

Varicose veins in women

Pelvic pathological dilatation 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. Improper diagnosis will result in inappropriate treatment being prescribed and the patient will not be relieved. Consequently, the problem of diagnosing and properly treating pelvic varicose veins is an urgent problem in modern phlebology and gynecology.

The blood supply to the pelvic organs is due to the veins of the uterus and ovaries, as well as the venous plexuses - uterovaginal, vesicovaginal, uviform, rectal plexus, etc. It is usually caused by a blood clot, which can be caused by:

• sedentary lifestyle;
• previous gynecological diseases;
• hormonal imbalance (especially high estrogen levels);
• medical history of pregnancy and childbirth;
• congenital and acquired disorders of connective tissue (namely, lack of collagen).

Expert opinionThe main symptom of this venous disease in women is the presence of chronic pelvic pain syndrome. It is represented by lower abdominal pain that radiates to the pubic, sacral, and perineum areas.

Peak pain usually occurs in the second half of the menstrual cycle, complemented by severe premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea. Psychosomatic disorders may be associated with 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 mere signs of gynecological problems. Therefore, transvaginal ultrasound, Doppler ultrasound, phlebography, and in some cases diagnostic laparoscopy are required to make a correct diagnosis.

Both conservative and surgical approaches are used to treat pelvic varicose veins.

In the first case, the goal of therapy is to increase the tone of the venous walls, normalize the nature of blood flow, and increase the viscosity of the blood. To address these problems, patients are prescribed venotonics, hirudotherapy, ultrasound and magnetotherapy sessions, and exercise exercises. If conservative therapy for this pelvic vascular disease is ineffective, surgery is performed - sclerotherapy or embolization in veins in pregnant women.

Venous problems in pregnant women

Varicose veins are a problem for most pregnant women. This is due to changes in the body of the pregnant mother during pregnancy. During this period, a complete restructuring of the hormonal background takes place, which is directly related to the condition of the blood vessels. For example, an increase in estrogen leads to changes in the structure of the muscle layer and vasodilation of the venous walls.

In addition to the hormonal changes that accompany pregnancy and the birth of a baby, pregnancy and childbirth can provoke the development of venous diseases in pregnant women and for other reasons. First, it is an increase in body weight and a concomitant increase in the load on the lower limbs, as well as the excessive stress that the laboring woman experiences during childbirth.

During pregnancy, the total volume of circulating blood increases due to an increase in plasma and erythrocyte contents.

Venous Disease in Women: Signs and Symptoms

Depending on the stage of development, the varicose veins on the legs manifest in different ways:

• The initial stage of the pathological process is easy to miss, as its manifestations are usually minimal. Tiny poker appears on the legs, in the evening there is a slight discomfort, at the end of the day there may be a slight swelling. Even if the described clinical picture does not cause much concern, as soon as these symptoms appear, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
• If the disease is not detected early and treatment is not started in time, women's venous problems will get worse. The venous network becomes more pronounced, the characteristic nodules and cords can be clearly distinguished under the skin, and the swelling and fullness of the lower limbs causes serious discomfort.
• If the disease has not been treated or has not been treated effectively, it will be neglected. The affected veins protrude strongly under the skin, there is persistent edema, cramps occur at night, the skin color of the lower leg may change and it may be covered with trophic ulcers.

Venous diseases in women: treatment

There are two main approaches to solving the problem: conservative and surgical. The first is usually used in the early stages of pathology, while the second is used to combat later stages of the disease.

Conservative therapy includes taking medications, using external products, attending physiotherapy sessions, wearing compression stockings, physical activity, daily routine, diet, and drinking patterns. You can also use other treatments to fight varicose veins, such as Normaven® foot cream. Regular application to the lower extremities will help get rid of swelling, fatigue, difficulty and discomfort in the legs, disappearance of nocturnal cramps, and a reduction in the severity of the vascular system.

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:

• Combined phlebectomy.
• Laser coagulation.
• RF coagulation.
• Sclerotherapy.

In the treatment of venous diseases in women aged 50-60 years and in elderly patients, surgery is not usually performed because it is burdensome for the body.