What Are Vulvar Varicosities: And Why They Are Not Such Atrocities
Pregnancy is not without its many delightful symptoms, such as sore boobs, weight gain and puffy feet and ankles which appear to have a case of elephantiatis.
One symptom which is far seldom spoken of to the point it seems taboo are vulvar varicosities.
Now, like most women, you can pretty much guess what “vulvar” is (need a hint? Look below the belt).
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But What Are Vulvar Varicosities?
Introducing: One Of The Most Bizarre Health Conditions You May Have In Your Life
Most of us are familiar with varicose veins or spider veins, but we associate them with legs and sometimes hands and feet. (possible klippel-trenaunay syndrome)
What almost every woman (except those who have suffered from vulvar varicosities) do not associate them with is her “no-no”, her “cooter”, her “hoo-haa”.
Vulval Varicose veins are just the same – except these bulging, rope-like veins develop on your vulva or at the entrance of the vagina (sexy, non?) instead of the legs.
These veins are often puffy and bloated, twisted and swollen, and they may be bluish and/or pink in color.
Sometimes they may be circular, sometimes they’re curly, and they can even appear like a small tube or bubble.
This is either a great time or a terrible time for a vajazzle, depending on how you want to commemorate this brand new health development.
Why Did This Happen To Me?
The truth is that any woman can develop vulvar varicosities.
Women who are genetically predisposed to having varicose veins have a greater chance of developing them, but really any pregnant mama in her third trimester (when there is the greatest amount of pressure pushing down on the veins in your pelvis and vagina) can develop them.
Mild Case of Vulvar Varicosities
Can I Still Have A Vaginal Birth?
If a vaginal birth is in your birth plan, then do not let these pesky varicose vulva veins get in your way!
Fortunately our veins are soft and flexible, meaning they will flatten down to accommodate that baby your body has been working so hard to create over the past 40 some odd weeks.
With that said, you may still suffer some symptoms which could leave you feeling rather uncomfortable during that last trimester (as if you needed any more of THAT, right?).
Some common symptoms are:
- A feeling of fullness and pressure in the vaginal area
- Swelling and throbbing sensations
- Pain
One mother likened her experience to having numerous bee stings on her vulva.
This is on the extreme end of the symptoms, but honestly, you never know what you’re going to get with each and every pregnancy.
Video by: SVS Vascular
Curing What Ails Your Undercarriage
Freaked out yet?
Don’t be.
Vulvar Varicosities are very rarely harmful and some women do not feel any discomfort at all. Best of all, they tend to take a hike after your baby is born.
Here’s the bad news: once you’ve got ’em, they are always “there”.
They just cannot really be seen.
Think of them as ninjas playing games with your vulva (awesome, right?).
Any future pregnancies and/or age may cause them to “hi-yaaah!” and come right on back, though you may get lucky and never need to go through them again.
You do not need to suffer in silence and you do not need to turn into the “Martyr Mommy” who will suffer through anything for the benefit of her kids.
There are all natural solutions to this problem, including:
Stop standing!
Aren’t you heavy enough?
Are your ankles and feet not begging for you to take a seat?
If you didn’t listen to them, your vulva will definitely command you to lay down and take five.
Shove a pillow or two underneath your hips while you’re laying down as this promotes circulation and it will help reduce your symptoms.
If you’ve gotta stand, wear a compression support garment.
Yes, you will feel like your grandmother but as soon as you slip one of these bad boys on, you will find yourself enjoying a world of relief.
Most pharmacies do not carry them, so you will need to find one online.
Make someone else lift the heavy stuff. Heavy lifting will only agitate your already agitated and angry veins.
No Need To Freak
Let’s be real, vulvar varicosities are not the sexiest thing on the planet and they can be annoying if not downright painful.
But they are completely normal and treatable through natural means.
- Stop standing, stop lifting heavy crap and kick up your feet. (You won’t be able to do that for long anyway.)
- Use compression garments to keep those rogue veins in check.
- If they become problematic, there are treatments (like sclerotherapy).
This is a topic rarely discussed so we would love for mamas who have dealt with this to share their tips and suggestions with us.
Comment or ask a question below!
References:
http://brochures.mater.org.au/brochures/mater-mothers-hospital/pregnancy%E2%80%94vulval-varicosities
