Varicose veins of the labia during pregnancy: what to do and how to treat? Varicose veins of the genital organs during pregnancy

And today we will talk about the dangers, what to do and how to treat vaginal varicose veins during pregnancy.

Causes

Varicose veins of the genital organs (including during pregnancy) can form due to congenital or acquired weakness of the vascular walls and valve insufficiency. Factors that greatly increase the risk of varicose veins include:

long-term static stress, for example, due to work;

hard physical labor;
obesity;
inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs;
use of hormonal contraception;
a large number of pregnancies and births;

There is a connection between varicose veins in the groin and hormonal changes during pregnancy in a woman’s body, for example, with an increase in estrogen or progesterone. Read on to learn more about the symptoms of perineal varicose veins during pregnancy.

The following video will tell you about the dangers that various types of varicose veins pose during pregnancy:

Symptoms of varicose veins on the labia during pregnancy

Varicose veins of the labia are well recognized even when examined by the woman herself, since its main symptoms are an increased size of the labia and a noticeable dilatation of the veins. In this case, the veins can form a whole conglomerate of nodes, accompanied by the appearance of ties and spider veins.

Also with varicose veins it is noted:

itching and dryness of the skin in the affected areas;
aching pain radiating to the sacrum and perineum;
swelling;
urinary disorders;
feeling of heaviness and fullness;

The last two symptoms often disappear towards the end of pregnancy or after childbirth.

CT photo of varicose veins of the labia during pregnancy

Diagnostics

Varicose veins in an intimate place, on the labia during pregnancy can be diagnosed directly at an appointment with a phlebologist. The doctor examines the veins, checks the condition of the labia and collects anamnesis. To confirm the analysis, patients are prescribed an ultrasound, which allows one to visualize the state of the patient’s venous system.

To detect pathologies and concomitant diseases, the patient will be prescribed other tests: blood tests, Doppler sonography, and others. Read on to find out what to do if you have varicose veins in the groin during pregnancy.

Treatment

Inguinal varicose veins of the labia must be treated urgently, since it threatens negative consequences for the mother. First, patients are prescribed therapeutic treatment. If it does not help and the disease progresses, the patient undergoes surgery to restore the normal state of the venous system.

Experts will talk about treatment methods for varicose veins of the labia in the following video:

In a therapeutic way

The therapeutic method of treatment is aimed at stopping the reverse flow of blood and relieving pain symptoms. For this purpose, venotonic drugs and angioplatelet agents are prescribed, which prevent thrombus formation.

Drug therapy must be combined with wearing compression stockings, physical therapy and visiting a massage therapist.

Surgical

Surgical intervention for varicose veins of the labia is based on phlebosclerosing techniques. Microthermocoagulation is widely used.

However, foam sclerotherapy remains the more common method. During the procedure, a sclerosant is injected into the vein, causing it to stop functioning and blood to flow through healthy veins.

Disease prevention

Measures to prevent varicose veins during pregnancy are focused on strict adherence to the doctor’s instructions, as well as the need to:

take a shower daily;
wear comfortable underwear;
take venotonic drugs as prescribed by the doctor;
wear compression stockings;
limit physical activity, while performing simple exercises to keep fit;
monitor your diet by adding more fiber to your diet;

You should also consult your doctor about the possibility of having sex, especially in late pregnancy.

According to statistics, varicose veins of the genital organs occur frequently in pregnant women - in about a third of pregnant women. The risks increase with each subsequent pregnancy, especially if there is a genetic predisposition.

Varicose veins of the pelvic organs are a disease in which the veins of the external genital area dilate and pathologically change.

In most cases, symptoms of the disease disappear after the baby is born. But sometimes, without adequate treatment, varicose veins progress and can complicate the course of pregnancy and the birth process itself.

If you suspect a disease, it is important to consult a doctor and choose treatment tactics. Proper therapy helps stop the progression of the pathology and prevents complications.

Causes

The causes of varicose veins of the genital organs during pregnancy are multifaceted. The position itself is a powerful predisposing factor.

Don't wear high heels

Women awaiting replenishment experience severe stress on the body, which leads to an exacerbation of existing chronic diseases. The development of pathology becomes a manifestation of general varicose veins or the first signal of a disruption in the functioning of the veins.

Reasons for development:

increase in circulating blood volume. Increases pressure on blood vessels. Since the walls of veins have less density and elasticity compared to arteries, they suffer first;
pressure of the growing uterus on the pelvic organs. Leads to a delay in the outflow of blood from the lower extremities;
weight gain. Increases the load on blood vessels. The saphenous veins, which are not surrounded by muscles, are especially affected;
increase in progesterone levels. Its excess impairs the elasticity of blood vessels and promotes venous stagnation.

This is especially true for women who used hormonal medications before pregnancy or suffered from hormonal disorders.

Not the least role in the development of the disease is played by the hereditary factor, diet, lifestyle, and work characteristics. For example, excess body weight, standing or sedentary occupation predisposes to the manifestation of pathology during pregnancy.

Symptoms of the disease

The main symptoms of varicose veins of the genital organs in women during pregnancy:

enlargement of the lips major or minor;
itching, feeling of fullness in the perineum;
skin irritation in the groin;
swelling of the saphenous vein;
discomfort, pain during sexual intercourse.

The feeling of fullness and swelling usually goes away by the end of the first week after birth. After a month, the vascular wall normalizes.

External signs of varicose veins of the genital organs are similar to diseases of the lower extremities. Some symptoms are detected independently, others become visible only with instrumental diagnostics.

Prominent veins

Dilatation of the veins of the pelvic organs should not be ignored. It is dangerous due to the possibility of ruptures and bleeding during childbirth. Therefore, at the first symptoms, it is recommended to consult a specialist for treatment. It is difficult for women with varicose veins to become pregnant.

Depending on the degree of pathology, the issue of a natural birth or, if indicated, a caesarean section is decided.

Varicose veins of the labia

Most common during pregnancy, most often appears in the 2nd or 3rd trimester. See what the veins on the labia look like when you are sick in the photo.

Consultation with a doctor

Most often, its manifestation is caused by varicose veins in the legs. Swollen areas appear on the lip (or two), itching, burning, pain, and swelling are felt. The sensation is especially strong when using the toilet or after standing for a long time.

Doctors note that a significant dilation of the veins of the genital organs during pregnancy creates a certain load on the fetus, which in severe cases threatens miscarriage. Women facing the disease should not forget about this.

The pathology is fraught not only with physical discomfort, but also causes psycho-emotional trauma to the pregnant woman. Deformed and darkened labia, large veins may look unsightly.

Consultations are needed not only with a phlebologist, but possibly with a family psychologist. The first one will tell you how to treat pathology during pregnancy. And the second will explain that with proper and timely treatment, the disease will recede after childbirth and the genitals will return to normal.

On big lips

Varicose veins on the labia majora during pregnancy have bright external manifestations:

A soft nodule appears. It's easy to miss at first.
It increases over time and can cause difficulties when walking and sitting.
Causes discomfort during sexual intercourse.
Without treatment, the number of nodules increases.
The color and shape of the labia majora change. They darken, turn blue, swell, and swell.

A woman can discover the disease herself. When palpated, small bumps and nodules are felt. Disturbing discomfort in the genital area.

Looks something like this

The doctor can easily see enlarged veins on the labia during an examination. Therefore, diagnosing the disease is not difficult and does not require additional instrumental studies.

The vessels are noticeable in the form of swollen, convoluted subcutaneous formations of a bluish color. They protrude under the surface of the dermis.

Changes are also found in the mucous membrane covering the labia. On examination, spider veins are visible.

On the small lips

Varicose veins of the small lips have the same symptoms during pregnancy as the large ones. The only difference is that the venous nodes pop up on the labia minora. Nodules appear that look like soft swellings.

Gradually they increase in size, discomfort intensifies, and the appearance of the genital organs becomes unaesthetic.

Varicose veins of the vagina

This is a more dangerous type of varicose veins during pregnancy. It is characterized by damage to the blood vessels of the female reproductive system, which is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms.

With this pathology, veins expand in diameter and the vascular walls become thinner. Nodules form on them, disrupting normal blood flow. Most often it occurs in pregnant women who previously suffered from varicose veins.

Diagnosing the disease on your own is difficult. It is worth contacting a gynecologist for examination and palpation.

With an incorrect diagnosis, inadequate therapy or its absence, complications often develop. Therefore, to exclude errors, after a visual examination, the woman undergoes an ultrasound examination.

The consequence of the disease may be blood thickening. This is due to the fact that in pregnant women it becomes more viscous. Rarely, pelvic vein thrombosis occurs.

With this type of disease, the main symptoms of varicose veins include:

complaints about the lower limbs and pelvis, for example, muscle cramps, a feeling of heaviness in the legs;
problems with the urinary system: oliguria, frequent urination;
flatulence, constipation;
pain in the lower abdomen.

Compression underwear

Dilated veins are not an obstacle to natural childbirth. But doctors prefer to perform a cesarean section in situations where varicose veins progress rapidly and the nodes greatly increase in size.

In most cases, timely treatment helps eliminate the problem before birth. After the birth of the baby, the factors provoking the pathology disappear, so the disease goes away.

In rare cases, when the disease is advanced, additional treatment may be needed in the postpartum period.

Important: varicose veins that appeared during the first pregnancy are highly likely to occur during the second. Strict adherence to your doctor’s recommendations and preventive measures will help minimize risks.

Varicose veins of the vulva

During pregnancy, it may not have pronounced symptoms, manifesting mainly as pain in the lower abdomen. The only reliable method for diagnosing the disease is examination using an ultrasound machine.

Symptoms of varicose veins of the vulva also include:

sudden mood swings;
itching in the groin;
the appearance of dryness and age spots.

In the later stages, distortion of the shape of the labia, spider veins and nodules on them are noticeable. See photo.

It is necessary to treat

These processes during pregnancy often lead to damage to the vessels of the uterus and pose a threat to the condition of the fetus. If left untreated, varicose veins of the vulva can lead to one of the most dangerous complications - rupture of the vaginal veins and severe bleeding. Doctors advise giving birth by caesarean section.

Varicose veins of the perineum

During pregnancy, it occurs in a third of all cases of varicose veins. The uterus with a growing fetus is the main reason leading to compression of the main veins. The following symptoms appear:

dilation of veins in the perineum, vulva, vagina;
feeling of heaviness, itching;
swelling of the genital organs;
intense, bursting pain from within;
acute form of varicothrombophlebitis;
ruptures of blood vessels and severe bleeding.

The intensity of bleeding is spontaneous. They are often provoked by sexual intercourse or the onset of childbirth. It is difficult to stop as it is caused by high blood pressure.

The simplest solution

Varicose veins restoration
the doctor shows a vein
linen preservation

Treatment methods

Before treating varicose veins, the patient must undergo a comprehensive diagnosis. In addition to visual inspection, specialized studies are carried out:

Dopplerography - detects vascular formations, helps determine the nature of blood flow;
Ultrasound with abdominal and transvaginal sensors;
phlebography – assessment of the functionality of vein valves;
laparoscopy - to detect pathological abnormalities.

Despite the fact that in most cases the disease recedes after childbirth, treatment helps prevent complications and alleviate the condition of the expectant mother.

A popular type of correction is sclerotherapy. The procedure involves the introduction of a special adhesive solution into the affected veins, which stops the progression of the disease.

The duration of therapy depends on the type and severity of the disease. After sclerotherapy, a woman is prescribed tonic medications:

Detralex;
Lyoton;
Heparin;
Flkbodia;
Troxerutin, etc.

An important point in the fight against the disease is wearing compression garments. It tones the veins, squeezing the affected areas.

Prevention will help prevent the development of pathology during pregnancy:

restrictions on spicy and salty foods;
lack of excessive physical activity;
adherence to rest and sleep patterns;
performing therapeutic exercises recommended by a doctor;
weight control;
wearing a bandage. It will protect the pelvic organs from the pressure of an enlarged uterus;
maintaining intimate hygiene, wearing underwear made from natural materials.

Varicose veins are a disease that most often occurs in the lower extremities, where it is characterized by the appearance of thick, swollen veins under the skin and the formation of swelling in the legs. But this disease sometimes affects other parts of the body.

One of these common problems is varicose veins of the labia, which women suffer from during pregnancy.

What should you do if varicose veins appear in the groin, in the outer part of the vagina, or on the labia during pregnancy? What treatment methods will help to safely cope with the problem? And most importantly, is it possible to give birth?

This disease occurs usually in the third trimester of pregnancy, but it can appear much earlier - women often complain about this problem already at the beginning of the 2nd trimester. In most cases, it is formed against the background.

This pathology may not be noticed immediately. In the first stages of development, it is formed small soft nodule on the labia, which does not cause any inconvenience. Over time, it begins to grow, causing pain and other unpleasant sensations.

Often this disease goes away after the baby is born. But this does not mean that you can ignore it, especially if varicose veins continue to increase in size. If a disease is detected, you must consult a doctor, since in advanced cases, varicose veins of the labia during pregnancy can lead to serious complications that threaten the health of the mother and the unborn baby.

Causes and risk factors

This disease is typical specifically for pregnant women, since during this period the body is subjected to great stress. Body weight increases, and changes occur in the hormonal system. Levels of the hormones progesterone and estrogen increase sharply, which negatively affects the structure of the veins. They weaken and become more extensible.

Other common causes of this disease are:

The fruit is growing, as a result, the uterus increases in size and compresses the lower part of the vena cava, as well as the iliac veins. This leads to circulatory disorders in the pelvic organs.
Increased blood volume. To ensure that the fetus receives enough oxygen and nutrients, the body begins to produce more blood. It overflows the veins, which, due to increased pressure, stretch and their tone decreases.
Chronic diseases of the genital organs characterized by inflammatory processes.
Lack of physical activity, lack of mobility. If a woman is in a standing or sitting position for a long time, congestion occurs in her pelvic organs, blood circulation worsens, which contributes to the formation of pathology. The occurrence of inguinal varicose veins during pregnancy can also be associated with sudden physical activity - for example, when lifting weights.
Physiological disorders in the structure of venous valves, congenital pathologies of the venous walls, as well as a genetic predisposition to varicose veins.
Obesity. While carrying a child, a woman quickly gains weight, and this negatively affects the condition of the lower extremities, since the load on them increases. This contributes to the development, which often leads to varicose veins of the labia.
Constipation. This problem is common to almost any woman during pregnancy. The activity of the intestines is disrupted, tension in it increases, resulting in increased pressure on the pelvic vessels, which provokes varicose veins.

Women who are giving birth more than the first time, carrying several children, as well as those whose previous births involved severe complications are predisposed to developing this disease.

How to give birth

This disease itself is not a contraindication to natural childbirth. Only if the pathology develops rapidly and the dilation of the veins has reached alarming proportions, can a caesarean section be indicated.

In any case, before giving birth you need to undergo the necessary examinations that will determine the possibility of natural childbirth. If the disease is detected in a timely manner, it can be managed before the onset of childbirth.

After the birth of a child, varicose veins often go away on their own, but if the disease was severe and advanced, it may continue into the postpartum period. Women are at the highest risk of recurrence of varicose veins in intimate areas during their next pregnancy. That's why it's so It is important to see a doctor, follow all his instructions and take preventive measures.

Danger and complications

Varicose veins of the perineum are a dangerous condition during pregnancy, which can lead to rupture of altered veins during childbirth and heavy bleeding. Another complication of this disease is acute varicothrombophlebitis, which is characterized by inflammatory processes in the walls of blood vessels with the formation of a blood clot.

It is for this reason that in severe cases, a cesarean section is prescribed to prevent these complications of varicose veins.

Symptoms

Before external signs of the disease appear, the pregnant woman the woman begins to feel the following unpleasant changes:

painful sensations in the perineum;
constant itching and burning;
the labia appear swollen.

Discomfort is most pronounced in the evenings, especially if a woman spent many hours during the day in the same position, or if she experienced heavy physical activity.

Gradually nodules will begin to appear in the labia area. They look like small swellings, soft to the touch. Over time, these nodules expand under the influence of bulging veins, the symptoms become more pronounced, and the aesthetics of the genital organs deteriorate.

Unpleasant sensations in the intimate area cause a lot of inconvenience for a woman it becomes difficult to move, she experiences pain while walking, sitting for long periods of time, and even at night while sleeping. Most expectant mothers are forced to completely abandon sexual contact. And the problem here is not only that they are embarrassed to demonstrate modified genitals, but also fear possible damage to the swollen veins during sexual intercourse.

Since the slightest friction of clothing on the affected labia causes a lot of suffering, a woman has to wear loose underwear to minimize the contact of clothing with the genitals.

Diagnostics

You can detect the disease yourself by palpating the labia, but still It is recommended to consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis.

At the first signs of varicose veins of the genital organs during pregnancy, you should visit a phlebologist who will conduct an examination and give the necessary recommendations to prevent the development of the disease. To make an accurate diagnosis, your doctor may prescribe duplex scanning or ultrasound. Only after all these procedures is the course of suitable treatment determined.

Treatment methods

Although this disease Most cases go away on their own after the baby is born., certain treatment methods can prevent a number of complications during childbirth and alleviate the patient’s condition.

Medicines

The most common method of treating varicose veins in the groin during pregnancy is sclerotherapy. This procedure consists of injecting a special drug into the affected vein, as a result of which its condition is normalized. The injections are carried out in the hospital, the number of procedures depends on the severity of the disease.

Besides, To increase the tone of the veins, various drugs are used:

Troxerutin;
Diosmin;
Detralex;
Hesperidin;
Phlebodia;
Lyoton;
Heparin;
Gels, creams and ointments containing ginkgo biloba extract.

It is not recommended to choose a drug for treatment on your own, since some of them can cause irritation of the vaginal mucosa. You should seek your doctor's approval before using any product.

Compression underwear

Wearing special clothing, namely special compression stockings, helps restore the normal state of a swollen vein. Compression compresses the affected areas, putting pressure on the veins, as a result of which they are in constant tone.

In parallel with wearing compression garments, to relieve pain and support blood vessels, It is recommended to carry out special gymnastic exercises. For example, you can bend your knees one at a time while lying down. Or get on all fours with your head on the pillow. In this case, the pelvic area will be higher than the head, which will improve the flow of blood from the affected areas and relieve pain.

Can have a good effect raising on your toes, bending your knees while lying on your left side, or simply walking in place. A specific set of exercises is prescribed by a specialist based on individual indications.

Prevention measures

Preventing the appearance of varicose veins on the labia during pregnancy is not a very difficult task. It is enough to follow certain preventive measures:

do not wear high heels;
reduce the amount of salty and overly spicy foods in your diet, as well as foods high in vitamin C, which contributes to the formation of edema;
avoid heavy physical activity, rest more often, but do not neglect regular exercise;
control body weight;
wear a special bandage that prevents the growing belly from putting unnecessary strain on the legs and pelvic organs;
observe the rules of intimate hygiene - carry out hygiene procedures in the mornings and evenings, using special gels instead of soap, change underwear every day, giving preference to materials made from high-quality natural fabrics.

Varicose veins of the labia in pregnant women - the disease is unpleasant, but not very dangerous. Timely measures taken will help avoid its occurrence and prevent any other types of varicose veins. If the disease begins to manifest itself, you should not delay contacting a doctor. The sooner treatment begins, the less likely it is to develop dangerous complications.

If you notice that your labia have changed their color, we advise you to first take a pregnancy test, and then, possibly, visit a gynecologist. Because such symptoms are likely to indicate that conception occurred in the woman’s last menstrual cycle.

It is unlikely that there will be many girls who regularly examine the color of their labia, but it is quite possible to notice such a change. Moreover: some couples notice this sign very first, without even suspecting that pregnancy could occur. Overall, this is definitely worth talking about.

Every healthy, sexually mature woman regularly matures an egg, ready to potentially become the foremother of a future child. This happens at different times for everyone, but most often around the middle of the menstrual cycle every or almost every month. After the release of the egg from the mature follicle, that is, after ovulation, the level of the hormone progesterone, which has risen to this point, remains high, creating favorable conditions for the onset and maintenance of pregnancy.

This will continue throughout the entire first trimester of pregnancy, and against the background of such hormonal changes, a pregnant woman may feel and observe a wide variety of signs of pregnancy, many of which sometimes seem unexpected or strange. Such symptoms include changes in the labia in the earliest stages.

In particular, both the labia minora and labia majora in a pregnant woman can increase in size and change color from the first days. This occurs due to increased blood circulation in the pelvic organs, which is necessary to fully provide the fetus with oxygen and nutrients that come with the blood.

For this reason, the labia of a pregnant woman may become plump, increase in size, and swell. Such changes are noticeable already from the first weeks, but also often appear only in the second or third trimesters. As the pregnancy period increases, the muscle tissues in the body of the expectant mother become more elastic and elastic, and among them are the labia.

If you are prone to varicose veins and thrombophlebitis in the labia area during pregnancy, compactions and nodes may appear - enlarged veins appear. This situation should not be ignored. Although this, as a rule, does not pose a great danger, there are still some risks, and therefore if you find inflamed areas in the labia area, you should definitely tell your doctor about it. The same applies to other formations on this organ: rashes, erosions, compactions.

In addition to size, the color of the labia often changes during pregnancy. And this should not scare you.
Purple, dark red labia during pregnancy

It should be noted that the color of the labia is different for all women, and for each of them it can change at different periods of life. This feature is highly individual, and can vary in different colors and shades - from beige to black, from pale light to very dark or rich.

Most all women usually have pink labia. But no matter what color you have, their color and shade may change with the onset of pregnancy.

The previously pale or dull red labia after conception often become deeply red, purple, dark, as if inflamed. Do not worry: such changes, as we have already said, are the absolute norm, if in addition to them there are no “suspicious” vaginal discharge, itching, burning and other pathological symptoms.

Also, you should not be surprised if during pregnancy only one labia changes color, while the second remains unchanged: this also happens normally.

Blue labia during pregnancy

Blueness of the labia during pregnancy is a very common early sign. As a rule, around the same time, the areolas of the nipples on the chest also darken: sometimes they also turn blue, but more often they acquire a dark brown color. A vein network on the chest may also appear.

The labia of a pregnant woman can also become blue due to varicose veins, which is observed in approximately a third of women who become pregnant for the first time and in most of those who are repeatedly pregnant. Overweight pregnant women and women who are genetically predisposed to this are at risk.

Most often, this condition is temporary and harmless: shortly before childbirth or shortly after it, it goes away on its own. But sometimes the blue labia during pregnancy begin to hurt and bleed, which you need to tell your doctor about. He will prescribe you an anti-inflammatory ointment, and also recommend wearing special compression garments without seams, not sitting too long or standing in one place for a long time, moving more and lying only on your side.

Please also note that blue tissue discoloration in this area can occur even in non-pregnant women due to wearing tight synthetic underwear, aggressive sex, very early onset of sexual activity, and also with age.

Black labia during pregnancy

Sometimes on forums you can find messages that women’s labia have become very dark, almost black, during pregnancy. This frightens and worries some of them, but there is no reason to worry.

The color of the labia during pregnancy can actually not only darken greatly, but actually turn gray or black. Moreover: for approximately 2-3% of fair-skinned women in the world, this color of the mucous membranes in the perineum is their normal norm.

If nothing else bothers you other than color, then there is no need to worry. If you are not yet sure about your pregnancy, then if the color of the labia changes, you should dot all the i’s: it’s time to buy a test.

Especially for - Ekaterina Vlasenko

Some changes in a woman’s body after conception occur in the first days, others a little later. She doesn’t feel all of them, but she feels the fact that the external parts of the genital organs are swelling in the first week.

This is a normal reaction of the body to hormonal changes. The speed of local blood flow increases, the uterus enlarges, and pain appears in the labia.

During pregnancy, the immune status decreases, so swelling of the vulva can be caused not only by increased production of progesterone. Favorable conditions are created for the exacerbation of chronic diseases - sexually transmitted infections, which are dormant in normal times, and cause vulvovaginitis and bartholinitis. At a later date, varicose veins may begin.

What to do in such a condition and how can you relieve discomfort if the labia are swollen and painful during pregnancy?

Physiological changes

Normal physiological changes in the external genitalia in the first weeks after conception include discoloration and slight swelling.

Lips may turn brown, purple-bluish, even black. A slight itching may be felt, but in most cases it appears if the woman is dressed, that is, normal overheating occurs.

The labia bleed during pregnancy, ulcerations appeared on them, the color and nature of the discharge changed, the cyanosis was pronounced and there was severe swelling - this is not normal. Mild discomfort is acceptable, but severe pain that causes inconvenience is a reason to consult a doctor.

Genital infections

Itching and swelling of the labia during pregnancy can be caused by an infection, which many women even consider a sign of this condition in itself - candidiasis.

The vaginal flora consists of various types of bacteria and fungi - Candida - are necessarily present in it. While the immune system is normal, they are in balance with beneficial lactobacilli, but as soon as it decreases, the fungal flora begins to actively multiply.

Symptoms of candidiasis:

characteristic white discharge resembling curdled milk;
swelling of the vaginal mucosa;
soreness and severe itching in the perineum.

You should not expect thrush to disappear on its own - it requires therapeutic interventions. Thrush during pregnancy is treated with topical medications prescribed by the gynecologist.

The fact that the labia become swollen during pregnancy may not only be to blame for thrush. Other pathogenic flora that were suppressed by normal immunity also “wakes up” - gandarella, trichomonas vaginalis. If the first microorganisms are opportunistic, the second are sexually transmitted. Vulvovaginitis occurs.

Symptoms of this condition:

burning and severe itching of the labia;
swelling of the outer part of the vulva;
increased discharge that becomes grayish or greenish;
dry mucous membranes;
pain in the perineum, which intensifies with exercise - walking or during sexual intercourse.

The therapeutic regimen for eliminating vulvovaginitis is prescribed on an individual basis.

It is imperative to find out what triggered it - during pregnancy you cannot blindly take broad-spectrum antibiotics - and to do this, take a smear test.

The inflammatory process is stopped with the help of local agents - the microbial flora is destroyed with the help of irrigation, ointments, suppositories. Medicines are selected that are aimed at destroying microorganisms that cause diseases. Antibacterial drugs are rarely prescribed, especially in the first trimester.

If the labia are not only swollen, but also liquid discharge appears, which lasts up to a week, the woman feels weak, her temperature rises, and itching appears in the labia - such symptoms may be a sign of an exacerbation of genital herpes.

During pregnancy, herpes rashes on the labia do not always take the form of papules with liquid serous contents; they can be almost asymptomatic. Any changes in condition are a reason to consult a doctor.

But still, the most common symptom by which herpes is detected is a rash. They can be localized on the labia, vaginal walls, and cervix.

For a developing fetus, this is a very dangerous disease - if herpes appears for the first time, it is a sufficient reason for artificial termination of pregnancy. But even if the herpes virus was dormant, and an exacerbation occurred against the background of decreased immunity, treatment for the pregnant woman is mandatory. The acute form of herpetic infections can disrupt the formation of the fetus, cause developmental defects - defects of the brain and central nervous system, deviations in physiological development, and provoke a miscarriage.

Malaise and rashes in the genital area disappear on their own after 10-14 days, but you should not take a wait-and-see attitude. At the first signs of genital herpes, you should consult a doctor.

Bartholinitis

Sometimes in a pregnant woman, swelling is most pronounced on one side and acute pain appears in the perineum. This is how bartholinitis manifests itself - a disease in which the glands that produce vaginal lubrication become clogged. Bartholin's glands are a paired organ that is located in the thickness of the labia majora.

Symptoms of bartholinitis:

pronounced swelling of the labia;
pain in surrounding tissues;
redness of the lip mucosa;
painful sensations when moving and at rest.

During pregnancy, the inflammatory process manifests itself against the background of decreased immunity.

It can be called:

Escherichia coli, which, in normal immune status, are suppressed by beneficial bacteria;
staphylococci and streptococci that were in a “dormant” state - for example, if the body had chronic pharyngitis or caries, and pathogenic bacteria entered through the bloodstream;
specific microorganisms that cause sexually transmitted infections.

In most cases, bartholinitis is treated using a complex approach - surgical and conservative. To eliminate the infection, antibiotics are selected that are safest for the fetus. Antibacterial drugs of the penicillin series are most often used, especially in the first trimester.

Varicose veins of the labia

From the middle of the second trimester, another disease that causes swelling of the external gynecological organs - varicose veins in the labia - can cause discomfort to women.

During pregnancy, local blood flow in the pelvic area increases, a third circle of blood circulation appears - placental, and the load on the vessels located in the pelvis and labia increases. At first, a woman may feel only a slight heaviness in the perineum, then the skin becomes purple in color, and severe pain appears when walking, urinating, and sexual intercourse.

If varicose veins are slightly expressed, then they may not be treated during pregnancy. The doctor will advise you to pay more attention to intimate hygiene and rest more often in a lying position. You should also avoid the possibility of injuring the external area of the genital organs, so as not to cause disruption of the integrity of the blood vessels.