Varicose veins of the small pelvis is a common disease that affects many women between the ages of 25 and 40 today.Otherwise, the disease is called chronic pelvic pain syndrome or pelvic venous occlusion syndrome.The cause of this problem is the backflow of blood from the ovarian vein, which occurs as a result of the compression of the veins.That is, venous dilatation of the pelvic vessels is a disease directly related to a decrease in the elasticity of the vascular wall.
Many doctors consider this pathology to be something exotic and rarely make such a diagnosis.This is explained by the fact that the pathology can manifest itself with various symptoms, and severe pain syndrome always prevails.Therefore, most experts mistake pelvic varicose veins with various hormonal or gynecological diseases of an inflammatory nature.However, a woman's quality of life and the possibility of having children in the future depend on the timely diagnosis of varicose veins of the small pelvic veins.Why does this disease develop, what are its symptoms and how can pelvic varicose veins be treated?We will talk about all this in this article.
Features of the development of varicose veins of the pelvis
A phenomenon such as varicose veins of the ovaries and uterus has been known in medicine for a long time.This disease was first discovered in the 80s and has not been fully studied until today.And every year, the cases of this pathology are more common, because during this period, the lifestyle of most people has changed.Most people today are sedentary and lead an unhealthy lifestyle.The mechanism of the development of varicose veins of the small pelvic vessels is triggered by various hormonal changes, as well as the increased pressure of the uterus on the small pelvic vessels, which is usually observed during pregnancy.
Obstruction begins to occur in the pelvic vessels, which leads to the development of the disease.
The algorithm for the development of pathology is as follows:
- The vascular system of the small pelvis is quite complex and consists of large vessels that in turn divide into smaller vessels.Moreover, the structure of the pelvis in women and men is slightly different, which explains why this disease occurs mainly in women;
- compression of blood vessels occurs, as well as blockage of vessels, as a result of which the tone of the vessel walls changes and the process of blood flow through the deep vessels of the pelvis is disturbed;
- due to malfunction, the pelvic vessels cannot perform their functions properly.This leads to the progression of venous valvular insufficiency;
- clogging begins to occur in the pelvic veins, which leads to the development of varicose veins of the small pelvic veins.
Unlike varicose veins of the legs, which are accompanied by varicose veins in the lower extremities, varicose veins of the pelvic veins in women go unnoticed because the veins located deep in the pelvis are affected.Therefore, many women may not suspect that they have this pathology.But in almost all cases, there is still the main symptom that indicates the presence of a problem.And this symptom is pain characterized by intensity and duration, and is usually observed before critical days or after heavy physical exertion.
Causes of the development of pelvic venous occlusion syndrome
As mentioned earlier, the disease occurs mainly due to changes in hormonal levels.And women of reproductive age are most susceptible to the development of this pathological process.Pregnant girls and women who work in difficult physical conditions are especially susceptible to varicose veins of the pelvic veins.In some cases, this type of varicose veins can develop during adolescence, which is accompanied by changes in hormonal levels.
The most common cause of the disease is pregnancy.
However, unlike the course of the disease in adulthood, the pathology in this case is asymptomatic.And the only thing that allows you to suspect the presence of a problem is an increase in the amount of vaginal discharge.That is, we can say that the main reasons for the development of varicose veins of the small pelvis are hormonal changes in the body and pregnancy.But there are other reasons for the development of the disease:
- congenital connective tissue dysplasia.This phenomenon is observed in 30% of people and is characterized by the thinning and curvature of the veins, as well as the weakness of the venous valves;
- difficult or multiple births.Various complications during the birth process or the birth of a large fetus lead to a violation of blood flow in the small pelvic vessels;
- pregnancy with several fetuses at the same time.This causes an increase in the load on the body, especially the pelvic vessels;
- some gynecological diseases;
- long-term use of hormonal contraceptives;
- treatment with hormonal drugs;
- retroflexion of the uterus.
There are also the following factors that lead to the development of varicose veins of the pelvic veins:
- severe physical stress, for example, constant weight lifting;
- standing or sitting work;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- increased estrogen levels;
- sexual dysfunctions, for example, lack of orgasm;
- frequent use of interrupted sex.
However, the most common reason for the development of pathology is still pregnancy.Almost 30% of women suffer from chronic pelvic pain syndrome during this period of life.Basically, symptoms of the disease begin to appear after 8 weeks of pregnancy.
Disease classification
Depending on the nature of the course, varicose veins of the small pelvic veins can be of 2 forms:
- varicose veins of the perineum and external genitalia.If the disease progresses, varicose veins can spread to the inner surface of the thigh;
- venous pelvic occlusion syndrome.
This classification is not widespread in medicine, because both of these forms arise simultaneously as a result of each other.Dilated veins of the vulva are observed quite often in pregnant women, and in most cases the pathology goes away by itself after childbirth, but not always.Depending on the size of the damaged vessels and the location of the pathology, there are 3 degrees:
- first degree.The damaged vessel reaches a diameter of no more than 5 mm, is localized in any venous plexus of the small pelvis and is characterized by the course of blood vessels in the form of a plug;
- second degree.The diameter of the vein can be between 6 and 10 mm and is usually observed with the common type of varicose veins localized in the ovaries or uterus;
- third degree.The damaged vessel is more than 10 mm in diameter with common varicose veins or primary localization.
Depending on the degree of development of the disease, a suitable treatment method is selected.For the first and second degrees of varicose veins of the small pelvis, the doctor usually prescribes conservative treatment consisting of lifestyle changes, special exercises and the use of drugs.However, the third stage of the pathology can be treated only by surgery.
Symptoms of varicose veins of the pelvis
A disease such as pelvic varicose veins, which has various symptoms, is often masked as other diseases of the reproductive system.The main symptom of the pathology is severe pain in the lower abdomen, which appears for no reason and can spread to the lumbar region or perineum.Also, the pain is usually accompanied by unreasonable discharge of mucus from the vagina, which increases during the second phase of the menstrual cycle.
Symptoms: severe sharp pain in the lower abdomen before and during menstruation.
Also, if pelvic varicose veins are present, symptoms may include:
- severe sharp pain in the lower abdomen before and during menstruation;
- increased sensitivity of the perineum and vagina;
- menstrual disorders;
- a feeling of heaviness in the pelvis when standing for a long time;
- itching and discomfort in the vulva;
- the presence of bulging veins and spider veins in the perineum, characteristic of varicose veins;
- unpleasant feelings, anxiety during intimacy.
There may be problems with childbirth and urinary disorders, for example, increased frequency.And in the case of such a form of the disease as varicose veins of the genitals, bleeding of the perineal veins and acute thrombophlebitis can occur.Symptoms can be either mild or pronounced, or one symptom or a complex of all symptoms may be present.This is what makes it difficult to diagnose a phenomenon such as varicose veins of the pelvic organs in women.
Consequences of varicose veins of the pelvic veins
This type of varicose veins is not an extremely dangerous disease.And the timely diagnosis of the pathology will allow to quickly get rid of the unpleasant phenomenon with the help of a properly selected course of treatment.However, it is usually very difficult to detect the disease in time, and many women live with this problem without even knowing it.And as the disease progresses, the following serious complications begin to develop in the body:
- dysfunction of the reproductive system leading to infertility;
- neurasthenia due to pain syndrome;
- fear of intimacy due to constant pain during intercourse;
- inflammation of the uterus and appendages;
- bladder diseases;
- uterine bleeding.
In women, varicose veins of the pelvis, without proper treatment, continue to develop and spread to adjacent organs and parts of the body.And in 5% of cases, there is a chance of developing venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, which are fatal diseases.
Diagnosis and treatment of pelvic varicose veins
Due to the generality of the symptoms and the localization of the signs of the disease, it is quite difficult to identify the varicose veins of the small pelvic veins.And only 20 years ago, the correct diagnosis was made in only 2% of cases.Misdiagnosis of the problem sometimes even led to the removal of the uterus, which could have been avoided with the use of modern diagnostic equipment.Today, a complete comprehensive examination is carried out with the participation of a gynecologist and a phlebologist to make the correct diagnosis.
A popular type of disease treatment is laparoscopy.
After a thorough interview and examination of the patient, the doctor today prescribes the most accurate methods for diagnosing pelvic varicose veins:
- laparoscopy;
- phlebography;
- dopplerography of blood vessels;
- ultrasound of the venous system;
- selective ovariography;
- computed tomography and MRI;
- Variography.
The doctor may also order additional tests, such as blood tests and X-rays, that can help to more accurately assess the patient's condition.After making an accurate diagnosis, the doctor chooses the most appropriate treatment, the purpose of which is:
- normalization of vascular tone;
- improvement of blood supply to tissues;
- elimination of symptoms;
- preventing the development of traffic jams and various complications.
Treatment of varicose veins of the pelvic veins should be comprehensive and may include treatment with drugs and basic therapy, surgery, as well as folk remedies.The main therapy of the disease includes:
- regular therapeutic exercises;
- special diet;
- contrast shower;
- wearing special underwear.
In addition, if necessary, you should review your daily routine.If the cause of the development of varicose veins is physical stress due to the specific nature of the job, it is necessary to switch to an easier job.Drug treatment of pelvic varicose veins consists of the use of the following drugs:
- phlebotonics;
- enterosorbents;
- antioxidants;
- phleboprotectors;
- hormonal drugs.
Surgical intervention is prescribed only in an advanced stage of varicose veins, when conservative treatment is ineffective or pain syndrome cannot be eliminated.Among other things, the doctor may recommend the use of herbal remedies containing dandelion, horse chestnut or chaga.