The best solutions to prevent and treat vulvar varicose veins

Like 5 to 10% of pregnant women, do you suffer from vulvar varicose veins? These dilated veins that cause different forms of swelling on the lips of the vulva are a source of pain, burning sensations and itching. Although it is difficult to prevent them, there are different treatments, both medical and natural, to treat and relieve vulvar varicose veins during pregnancy and menopause. Adopt certain gestures, wear support panties, walk if the pain allows you: as founders of an e-concept store dedicated to female intimacy, we tell you everything about treating vulvar varicose veins.

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How to prevent the formation of vulvar varicose veins?

The causes of the appearance of vulvar varicose veins do not really depend on you. There is a strong (bad) chance that you cannot do anything about it: they are most often due to genetic predispositions and 5 to 10% of pregnancies result in vulvar varicose veins. However, there are actions that can allow you to prevent vulvar varicose veins by combating venous insufficiency.

Wearing support stockings and briefs

Compression stockings and socks are often recommended to reduce problems related to venous insufficiency, particularly in the legs. However, their effectiveness in preventing the formation of vulvar varicose veins remains limited and unproven. This is why you can also look at compression briefs, which are becoming increasingly popular. They are to be worn over your usual underwear.

Practice a sport that promotes blood circulation

Since a sedentary lifestyle is one of the factors that increase the risk of venous insufficiency and vulvar varicose veins, playing sports can help slow down their appearance. Walking, swimming or continuing to play your favorite sport is an excellent solution to prevent the appearance of vulvar varicose veins.

Practice draining massages

Drainage massages are a great solution to combat venous insufficiency, especially in the legs: their effectiveness has not been proven in slowing the appearance of vulvar varicose veins.

On the legs, massage up your leg, going from the ankle to the calf, then from the calf to the knee and from the knee to the thigh. Your movements should always be made in the direction of the heart. Repeat for several minutes and move on to the other leg, repeating the same movements. You can use a cream to make this moment pleasant.

🌈 On our eshop, we have made for you a selection of several massage oils which can be interesting to accompany you during your draining massages:

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Do not cross your legs while sitting

Crossing your legs while sitting can block blood flow and limit venous return to the heart. Again, this advice is especially applicable to people with venous insufficiency that manifests itself in the legs – in the specific case of vulvar varicose veins, this has not been demonstrated.

Avoid hot showers and baths, saunas and steam rooms

Heat causes blood vessels to dilate, which is why applying heat for a long time can be harmful and slow down venous return. In other words: avoid showers and baths that are too hot, as well as saunas and other steam rooms.

Apply cold and cold water jets

The application of cold , by means of ice packs or jets of cold water on the skin, helps to constrict the blood vessels and increase venous tone, thus compensating for venous insufficiency.

Wear loose clothing

Tight clothing or clothing with seams in the crotch and legs can prevent venous return and be particularly unpleasant by generating friction and irritation. While support stockings and briefs can compress specific and sensitive areas, we recommend that you wear loose and lightweight clothing to limit blockages and pain.

Elevate your feet while lying down

Last tip to limit the risks of venous insufficiency and varicose veins, raise your feet when lying down. You will also reduce the feeling of heavy legs that may prevent you from sleeping. If you are pregnant, do not hesitate to adopt the pregnancy bolster / cushion: it will be a great ally to raise your feet.

90% of vulvar varicose veins disappear naturally after childbirth

Are you suffering from vulvar varicose veins while you are pregnant?

Don't panic: in fact, vulvar varicose veins disappear in 90% of cases, naturally, without treatment, after childbirth.

However, if you continue to be bothered after three months, do not hesitate to consult your doctor about this: he can refer you to a vascular doctor if he thinks it is necessary. Indeed, it is sometimes necessary to undergo a precise examination to locate the diseased veins in order to treat them specifically.

How to treat vulvar varicose veins

In general, the advice we have given you to prevent venous insufficiency and the appearance of vulvar varicose veins will allow you to limit and relieve your vulvar varicose veins. In addition, in the event of the appearance of vulvar varicose veins, here are our recommendations.

Consult a doctor

First of all, if you think you have vulvar varicose veins, we can only recommend that you consult your doctor , or even, if you are currently pregnant, your gynecologist or midwife. They will be able to carry out an examination and confirm that you do indeed have vulvar varicose veins. If necessary, they will be able to recommend a vascular specialist to carry out further examinations and prevent complications. They will also be able to prescribe medication if they think it is necessary.

To treat venous insufficiency

To treat the specific problem of venous insufficiency, several medications and natural treatments may be of interest.

Venotonics

Your doctor may prescribe venotonic medications . Their goal? To increase the tone of the veins and thus limit venous insufficiency. Their advantage is that they are effective quickly and without danger for the baby.

Red vine herbal tea for venous insufficiency

Red vine is a plant that has been used for centuries to combat venous insufficiency , varicose veins and hemorrhoids. It improves blood circulation by promoting venous tone. This is why it is interesting to use it as a herbal tea during pregnancy. Be careful, however, plants and more broadly herbal medicine are not harmless: it is a real medicine and you should ask your health practitioner for advice before incorporating it into your diet.

To relieve pain

Vulvar varicose veins are a source of pain and a burning and itching sensation. There are several solutions to relieve them.

Anti-itch creams

Your doctor may first prescribe an effective cream against itching . This is useful because, in addition to eliminating the discomfort you feel, it will prevent irritating the area. These creams, prescribed by your doctor, generally based on zinc oxide , will quickly be effective.

Perinatal cryotherapy

As its name suggests, perinatal cryotherapy involves applying coolness to the perineal and vulvar area to take advantage of the properties of cold (anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving and vasoconstrictor). This is particularly useful for limiting your discomfort and pain.

To treat diseased veins

As we have mentioned, 90% of pregnant women see their vulvar varicose veins disappear within three months of giving birth without any treatment. However, for some, treatment can be more complicated. Solutions and treatments exist to treat affected veins.

Sclerotherapy of vulvar varicose veins

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive technique that involves injecting a sclerosing product (foam or liquid) into a varicose vein. This causes an inflammatory reaction and then a gradual retraction of the varicose vein, eliminating the associated symptoms. Its advantage is that it is minimally invasive: painless, it leaves no scars. In addition, the results are long-lasting.

Who are the people at risk?

Vulvar varicose veins are dilated veins that cause swelling on one or both lips at the vulva. They can be located in other places of the female sex, at the perineum or pelvis, in which case they are called perineal and pelvic varicose veins. You can recognize vulvar varicose veins thanks to different symptoms and observations.

Pregnant women

Pregnant women, who combine significant hormonal fluctuations (the vulvar veins have hormone receptors that make them sensitive to the latter), a sudden change in their physiognomy (the hips widen) and significant pressure on their perineal floor (the weight of the baby), are particularly at risk.

5 to 10% of pregnant women are diagnosed with vulvar varicose veins, but it is believed that this figure is certainly higher because the pathology is taboo and can be asymptomatic.

Post-menopausal women

Post-menopausal women, who also experience strong hormonal fluctuations, particularly during perimenopause, are also at greater risk of developing vulvar varicose veins. This is because the vulvar veins have hormone receptors that make them vulnerable to the drop in estrogen and progesterone during menopause (venous tone becomes less, leading to varicose veins).

Risk factors ++

Other factors that may increase the risk of developing vulvar varicose veins during pregnancy and menopause, or outside of these periods:

Vulvar varicose veins are benign and disappear in 90% of pregnant women without treatment or specific care a few months after pregnancy. However, preventing and treating these vulvar varicose veins can limit the inconvenience they can cause. Different treatments, both natural and medical, exist to free you and relieve you.

Vulvar varicose veins are benign and disappear in 90% of pregnant women without treatment or specific care a few months after pregnancy. However, preventing and treating these vulvar varicose veins can limit the inconvenience they can cause. Different treatments, both natural and medical, exist to free you and relieve you.