Varicose veins often occur in women during pregnancy. For many, this condition worsens in late pregnancy and for many, the varicose veins do not disappear after childbirth.
In this article, we will discuss what varicose veins are, why some women get varicose veins and why the condition often occurs during pregnancy.
Why do varicose veins occur
Varicose veins affect about a third of adults at some point in their lives and are largely due to genetics. That is, if one of the parents has varicose veins, the children are genetically predisposed to also have varicose veins. Veins carry oxygen-poor blood back to the heart for oxygenation. The veins contain valves that regulate blood flow so that blood can only flow in one direction. Like the rest of the body, these valves will weaken over time and if the valves are weakened and defective, the blood may back up and pool under the valves, creating pressure on the veins. This is what causes the bulging and swollen veins on the skin called varicose veins.
Varicose veins are harmless but they can cause mild pain, heavy and tired legs, cramps and discomfort. More advanced varicose veins can lead to serious conditions such as eczema, venous leg ulcers and thrombophlebitis.
Varicose veins in the abdomen during pregnancy
Some women develop varicose veins during pregnancy. During pregnancy, a woman's body weight increases significantly and the extra weight affects blood circulation and increases pressure on the veins, which can cause varicose veins. In addition to these changes, the hormonal balance changes significantly which can also influence the occurrence of varicose veins.
The increasing amount of the sex hormone progesterone causes the walls of the veins to bulge and this increases the risk of varicose veins. During pregnancy, there is a lot of pressure on the large blood vessels in the abdomen and down into the pelvis. The uterus squeezes the large veins that carry blood from the legs up to the heart, causing increased pressure on the veins in the legs, around the rectum and in the lower abdomen.
Varicose veins usually appear on the lower legs, kneecaps and up the thighs. In rare cases, varicose veins can appear in the lower abdomen, around the vagina and in the perineum. If you have varicose veins in the lower abdomen, they can also spread to the inner thigh or back of the thigh.
Many women who develop varicose veins during pregnancy had them before they became pregnant but pregnancy makes the condition worse. In addition to the extra body weight, blood flow also increases during pregnancy, which further contributes to increased pressure on the veins. The condition of varicose veins in the lower abdomen often worsens in subsequent pregnancies.
Various precautions
You cannot prevent varicose veins in the lower abdomen, but you can take various precautions that can help minimise the risk and prevent the condition from worsening.
- Pay attention to your body weight
- Exercise regularly
- Keep your legs elevated as often as possible
- Do not sit or stand still for long periods
- Wear compression stockings
- By focussing on these different factors, you can actively contribute to reducing the risk of varicose veins in the lower abdomen or groin.
Symptoms of varicose veins in the lower abdomen or groin
Symptoms and symptoms of varicose veins in the lower abdomen vary from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms of varicose veins in the lower abdomen or groin are:
- Itching
- Lower back pain
- Vascularisation, i.e. the formation of new blood vessels
- Feeling of heaviness after prolonged sitting or standing
- Urinary urgency
If you have any of these symptoms, it's a good idea to get it checked out.
Treatment of varicose veins in the lower abdomen or groin
Varicose veins in the lower abdomen can cause mild pain, burning and sensitivity below the waist and can affect the individual both physically and psychologically.
Varicose veins in the lower abdomen can be treated by sclerosing, i.e. injecting a medicine into the vein to stop the flow and allow the blood to find other ways to flow. Another treatment method that is often used is laser treatment. A thin catheter is inserted into the vein, which is sealed by the laser fibre and the leakage is stopped. The blood finds new routes and the varicose veins disappear.
If varicose veins are suspected, an ultrasound scan can be performed by a specialist to check the blood flow in the veins.
Summary of the procedure
Varicose veins in the lower abdomen or groin can cause soreness, burning, itching, swollen blood vessels and a throbbing pain.
If a woman has varicose veins in the lower abdomen, they can spread to the thighs and cause more problems. There are physical and mental effects that can contribute to a poorer quality of life. If a woman has varicose veins in the lower abdomen that have developed during pregnancy, the condition often worsens with multiple pregnancies or pregnancies with twins or more.
The treatment options available are sclerotherapy or laser treatment. These methods involve sealing the vein with a medicine or laser, respectively, which causes the varicose veins to disappear.
