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What some women find helpful for vulval varicosities
Varicose veins of the vulva (also known as 'vulval varicosities') are swellings of the outer lips of the vagina (called the 'Labia Majora'). They are caused by the blood pooling in the veins. This makes them swell into purple / blue bulges, similar to the ones that can develop in the legs. The pregnancy hormone progesterone weakens the walls of the veins and the increased blood supply to the area swells them. In addition the pressure of the growing baby can impede the blood from moving away from the area, hence the pooling effect.
Besides not looking very attractive, vulval varicosities they can feel uncomfortable and make the vulva ache and feel sore. This is because the veins are having difficulty pumping the waste products and carbon dioxide away from vulval tissues, causing a build up of toxins. Vulval varicosities do not cause any problems for the birth process and should disappear a few days after the birth of your baby.