Vulvar Varicose Vein occurs when veins of the vulva become swollen, mainly during pregnancy. The vein usually becomes twisted, expanded, and distended with blood. This condition causes intense pain, annoyance, and pressure in the affected area.
During pregnancy, an increase in hormone level and change in blood flow occur, which causes the vulvar vein to extend. The signs may go away soon after giving birth. If the sign remains even after birth, various treatment options are available to treat the condition. Some lifestyle changes can ease the symptoms. The vulva is the external genitalia of the woman in which Varicose veins usually develop.
Vulvar varicose is usually associated with the thromboembolic event (in case of pregnancy) and superficial dyspareunia (in the nonpregnant stage). It may also lead to some serious family problems. This condition often remains asymptomatic due to atypical localization of the varicose vein.
Causes of Vulvar Varicose Veins
When some areas of the vein become weakened, it causes the development of varicose veins in the legs. It leads to deficient blood circulation from the lower part of the body toward the heart. The veins usually become painful, fill out with blood, and are distended.
During pregnancy, the extension in the uterus size puts pressure on your pelvic vein, and the vein of your vulva causes compression of the vein, making it difficult for the vein to supply blood back to the heart. Moreover, hormonal changes during pregnancy also cause this condition.
People with overweight are more susceptible to this condition. Age factor also increases the chances of developing varicose veins. Blood circulation in aged people decreases over time as the veins become less effective in functioning and structurally causing varicose veins. A family history of this disease also increases the chances of varicose veins.
The vulvar varicose vein may also occur due to the pelvic varicose vein. Pain in the Pelvic and surrounding areas, such as upper thighs and lower back, is caused by varicose veins.
Signs and symptoms
- Swelling of vein
- Cluster or twisting formation of vein
- Bluish or purplish color of the vein under the skin
- Skin areas raised with swollen veins
- Painful itching and discomfort of the vulva
- Pain increases after standing too long
- Discomfort or pain after intercourse
Diagnosis
Your DoctorDoctor may take complete medical history or ask about your symptoms. He may also perform a physical examination to check the patient’s condition. Sometimes, an ultrasound is required to determine blockage sites and check the condition’s severity. It can also aid the healthcare provider in knowing whether blood is flowing in the right direction or clotting blood.
The DoctorDoctor may suggest significant venous conditions like pelvic congestion syndrome linked to the pelvic varicose vein. Diagnoses can be made by following tests:
- Selective venography
- CT scan
- Magnetic Resonance angiography
Treatment
Vulvar varicose may go away on its own; specifically, if you are pregnant, it can improve without medical treatment. Treatment depends upon the patient’s condition, severity, and disease stage. Your healthcare provider may suggest some home remedies as the first line of defense, such as;
- Wear compression or support garments
- Apply ice packs to the affected area
- Support hips when lying down to aid proper blood flow
- Change position to relieve the pressure on the body
If the symptoms are more severe and need further treatment, then your DoctorDoctor may suggest
- Sclerotherapy: It is the most often used treatment for vulvar varicosities in which DoctorDoctor applies foam or liquid solution to your vein, causing them to scar, close, and eventually dissipate.
- Echo sclerosis: In this method, ultrasound is used to further process sclerotherapy.
- Phlebectomy: During this treatment, minor cuts are given to the skin surface to detach the damaged vein.
- Transcatheter embolization: In this method, the doctor uses an x-ray to put a catheter in the varicose vein and uses a coil or sclerotherapy solution to medicate the vein.
- Ligation: In this method, small incisions are given to the skin to approach the vein and pull out small segments.
Complications in Vulvar Varicose Vein
There are very few chances of vaginal vein bleeding during this condition. So you have to be careful about childbirth during your pregnancy. You must discuss with your doctor if you have any concerns about your delivery.
Preventions from Vulvar Varicose Vein
There is no possible prevention of this condition, especially during pregnancy. By adopting the following lifestyle changes, you can reduce its severity:
- Eating healthy food
- Regular exercising
- Keep an eye on your weight
- Legs in an elevated position while sitting
- Wearing loose cloths
- Using flat shoes
Effects of a vulvar varicose vein
Mainly, this disease occurs during the third or fourth month of pregnancy. During pregnancy, women suffer from pelvic congestion syndrome, which causes pain in the pelvic area. Pregnant women are more likely to get affected by this disease. However, women without pregnancy are also affected by vulvar varicose veins.
How usual is vulvar varicose vein?
Usually, 4 percent of women have vulvar varicosities. There is more chance of vulvar varicosities in pregnant women, up to 20 percent. Pelvis vulva has a high probability of varicose vein up to 20 to 35 percent. It usually doesn’t show any symptoms in the patient.
Do’s and Don’ts
This disease stays for at least six weeks after giving birth to a baby. We can manage the symptoms of vulvar varicose by:
- Do’s:
- To improve blood flow, drink a lot of water, approximately eight glasses daily.
- Put the pillow under your hips for good circulation of blood.
- Try to sleep on the left side of your body to stop putting pressure on the vulva.
- Try to wear a soft and specially designed garment for the pelvic area.
- Don’ts:
- Don’t stand and sit for long because the position affects the blood supply to the veins.
- Try to avoid sodium chloride, as it produces stress in your veins. Consuming A lot of salt can deposit fats in the veins.
Expectations
- After six weeks of delivery, veins in the vulva are expected to become normal.
- It is expected that vulvar varicosities do not cause any complications in pregnancy.
- The baby has no risk of any disease.
- Monitor your veins regularly, even if you are not pregnant.
References:
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22127-vulvar-varicosities
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5500487/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/vulvar-varicosities
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321661
