All About Vulvar Varicosities

Posted by PamEganNP @pamegannp, May 14, 2013

Vulvar Varicosities are varicose veins that develop in a woman's vulvar region, typically during the course of a pregnancy. They can be very painful, and can lead to intense swelling that can make sexual intercourse a non-starter.

Vulvar varicosities are also among the more embarrassing issues a woman will encounter during pregnancy, leading many women to try their best to get through it without informing their doctor. This is a bad idea.

In most cases, vulvar varicosities can be effectively treated using only compression therapy. A special undergarment designed for vulvar varicosities is worn by the expecting mom, applying constant pressure to the vulva and vulvar region. In most cases, this alone is sufficient to bring about significant relief of symptoms.

In severe cases, a technique known as sclerotherapy may be used to reduce the pain and swelling. Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a foam or liquid into the veins themselves in order to reduce the swelling.

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PamEganNP | @pamegannp | May 14, 2013

In most cases, sclerotherapy is reserved for women who suffer from varicose veins in the worst of places, but who are in the small minority who do not develop the condition while pregnant.

harper2018 | @harper2018 | Dec 10, 2018

The Nurse practitioner in my doctors office just diagnosed me with varicose vein‘s in the vulvar. I am in great discomfort and initially thought it was a herpes outbreak. There is little relief from 1000 mg of Valtrexdaily. I am 62 and have had one child. The symptoms include pain in the back of my thighs and an ache in the vulvar. I have had a history of chronic fissure and I am wondering if that is what is going on instead of this. I have used spanks underwear which did provide some relief but not much. I am afraid that this is my life from this point which is tremendously I’m comfortable and not tolerable .

Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Dec 10, 2018

In reply to @harper2018 "The Nurse practitioner in my doctors office just diagnosed me with varicose vein‘s in the vulvar...." + (show)

Hi, @harper2018 - that sounds very uncomfortable with the vulvar varicosities. Here is a Mayo Clinic article on that topic that may be useful. Though it says that these occur primarily in pregnancy, the information and information on relief would be relevant.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/expert-answers/vulvar-varicosities-during-pregnancy/faq-20419426.

I'd like to introduce you to @dawn_giacabazi @growyourflow and @predictable, who may have some thoughts for you.

I'm wondering when you mentioned you have chronic fissure, are you referring to chronic anal fissure? You also mentioned that you initially thought the ache in the vulvar region and pain in the back of the thighs may have been due to a herpes outbreak, and that the antiviral that can be used for herpes-related infections, valacyclovir (Valtrex), was not providing relief. Has herpes now been ruled out by your nurse practitioner?

harper2018 | @harper2018 | Dec 10, 2018

In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @harper2018 - that sounds very uncomfortable with the vulvar varicosities. Here is a Mayo Clinic..." + (show)

Yes an anal Fissure. NP felt that if I wasn’t experiencing any relief it probably wasn’t herpes. No sores but I haven’t had sores with outbreaks more of the prodromal symptoms. No swab taken. I looked myself and don’t see any varicose veins