Vulvar Varicosities: Don’t Suffer in Silence!

It seems conceivable that when health experts estimate that 10 percent of pregnant women experience vulvar varicosities, that is to say vaginal varicose veins, they could be grossly underestimating the incidence of this condition.

There are women—who knows how many—who will not report this pain, itch, heaviness and general discomfort in the vulva, either because they chalk it up to the general joy and discomfort of pregnancy, or because they are simply not comfortable talking about it. These women might not know that there are qualified vein specialists who can help with this condition. You might be one of those women.

Vulvar Varicosities Can Persist Past Pregnancy

The problem is that once there, a vulvar varicosity will often not go away. Vulvar varices may become asymptomatic without the added hormones and baby pressing on the blood vessels. But the underlying condition remains, perhaps to return, persist, or worsen with another pregnancy—or for those women who are genetically predisposed to varicose veins.

This can make walking, standing, and sitting, uncomfortable. Sex can become less fun, or even painful.

Vulvar Varicosities Treatment and Relief

If bulging, painful vaginal varicose veins are a problem for you—during pregnancy or after—there are simple things you can do to try to find some relief.

• Consult with your doctor about topical treatments for the itch, pain and feeling of heaviness;
• Consider compression garments. They are strappy in appearance, but the pressure they provide can help relieve some discomfort in the surrounding tissue;
• Change your body position often. Alternate sitting, standing, walking and lying down;
• Some experts suggest that you go for a swim if you are pregnant. The buoyancy of the water can lift baby off of blood vessels in the vulvar and perineal areas;
• Elevate the hips slightly when lying down. Use gravity to take a load off the blood vessels.

If these varicosities persist, and they are affecting your quality of life, seriously consider making an appointment for a free consultation with a qualified vein specialist today. Dr. Jilanne Rose, DNP of Advanced Vein Institute of Arizona specializes in treating vulvar varicosities and superficial varicosities of the lower limb and has performed thousands of procedures in women who are experiencing the same discomfort that you are. She will be able to tailor a treatment plan just for you and determine whether Chronic Venous Insufficiency is a contributing factor in your condition.

The only catch is that you will have to talk about it...just a little bit.

The good news, however, is that a professional like Jilanne Rose, DNP-C will make the process—from consultation to treatment to recovery—as comfortable as possible.