Vascular pathologies in women are a common phenomenon. Gender is determined by hormonal changes, lifestyle characteristics, body functionality and other factors. Veins can be damaged under the influence of external and internal factors. This leads to the elongation of blood vessels, thinning of the walls, formation of plaques, dysfunction of the valves, thickening of the blood and other negative consequences. Varicose veins of the small pelvis in women are a type of vein pathology. It is characterized by discomfort, pain, heaviness and tightness, sometimes even leading to dysfunction of the reproductive system.
What are varicose veins of the pelvis?
Phlebeurisma pathology characterized by a change in the normal state of the veins and arteries of the human body. ICD-10 does not have a separate classification. Vascular diseases are defined by code I80-I89. A separate classification includes varicose veins of the lower extremities (I83. 9), often combined with varicose veins of the small pelvis in women.
With varicose veins of the small pelvic veins, the walls of the blood vessels are thinned, they expand and lengthen. In this case, the blood stagnates. Due to the decrease in tone, the veins cannot work fully and cannot pump blood, as a result of which peculiar knots are formed in them, which are popularly called varicose veins.
In recent years, the tendency of the disease to become younger has been observed. If earlier, varicose veins of the small pelvis mainly affected older women, now this pathology is more and more detected in young patients. According to statistics, up to 20% of women of reproductive age have varicose veins of various degrees. Pelvic varicose veins (PVVD) are often accompanied by other pathological processes that seriously complicate the diagnostic procedure.
Varicose veins affect the pelvic organs. It can be accompanied by severe symptoms or no clinical manifestations. In difficult situations, it becomes the cause of complications. Treatment of varicose veins is selected individually and does not always achieve the desired result.
Classification of varicose veins of the small pelvis
Varicose veins of the pelvis occur differently in different women. Some patients complain of severe symptoms, while others practically do not experience any pathological manifestations. For some, even serious treatment does not allow to completely get rid of the pathology, while others can easily cope with the disease by changing their lifestyle. In gynecology, the classification of varicose veins of the small pelvis has been adopted, which accurately characterizes the development of the pathology.
Forms of varicose veins of the small pelvis
Varicose veins of the pelvis in women are accompanied by a decrease in the tone of the vessel wall, weakening, a decrease in elasticity and the formation of ectasia - an increase in the lumen in a limited area of the vessel.
There are two forms of pelvic varicose veins:
- Varicose veins of the vagina and external genitalia (perineum)- is characterized by a change in the structure of the channels of the great vein, as a result of which the external genital vein is affected. A frequent cause is prolonged pregnancy, during which compression of the inferior vena cava and iliac vein by the enlarged uterus occurs.
- Venous occlusion syndrome- characterized by dilation and stretching of the veins within the pelvis and the return of blood through them. The causes of such reflux can be very different.
Stages of varicose veins of the small pelvis
Varicose veins of the pelvic organs can occur in three stages. As the disease progresses, one stage replaces another. The stages of the disease differ in the severity of the symptoms and the severity of the disease.
- The first stage
It is characterized by dilation of vessels up to 5 mm in diameter. The vascular tone decreases and the mesh takes on a curved appearance.
- The second stage
It is characterized by a decrease in the elasticity of the vascular bed in the pelvis. The diameter of dilated veins is between 6 and 10 mm. Parametrial vessels and ovarian plexuses are affected.
- The third stage
It is characterized by general damage to the vascular fiber. The expansion diameter is more than 10 mm. Against the background of progressive varicose veins, a woman may develop complications.
The nature of development
Varicose veins of the small pelvis are classified according to the nature of their occurrence and development:
- Primary varicose veins of the pelvic veins in women
It is formed against the background of acquired or congenital valvular pathologies. Doctors usually talk about valve failure of the veins, which is accompanied by the appearance of curved and excessively stretched veins. Often, the causes of primary varicose veins are increased physical activity, complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and the use of hormonal drugs.
- Secondary varicose veins of the pelvic veins in women
It is formed against the background of past diseases. Infectious pathologies, tumor processes, pelvic endometriosis and abnormal development of pelvic organs can affect the tone of the vessels.
Causes of the development of varicose veins of the small pelvis
Pathologies of the vessels of the pelvic organs can develop due to the following reasons:
- Heredity. Vascular diseases are often inherited in women. If a mother, grandmother or aunt in the family has varicose veins, there is a possibility that this disease will affect the future female generation.
- Pelvic connective tissue dysplasia. This is a congenital anomaly and is characterized by a decrease in collagen production, against the background of which the tone of the vascular pattern decreases.
- Pregnancy. During pregnancy, the load on muscles and blood vessels increases a lot. The growing uterus puts pressure on neighboring tissues and adjacent vessels. With polyhydramnios, multiple pregnancies, large fetuses and other conditions, a woman can develop varicose veins.
- Excessive body weight. In women, obesity increases the pressure on the pelvic organs. This can lead not only to the development of varicose veins, but also to other health problems.
- Decreased physical activity. The human body needs regular physical activity. We're not talking about grueling workouts. On the contrary, excessive physical activity can become an independent cause of varicose veins of the small pelvis. With a sedentary lifestyle, blood flow in the pelvis is disturbed, stagnant processes develop.
- Hormonal disorders. The work of the entire female body is completely subject to hormonal levels. Hormonal changes and taking hormonal drugs can cause a decrease in vascular tone.
Varicose veins of the lower extremities are often accompanied by varicose veins of the small pelvic veins. If a woman has crooked veins in her legs, she should definitely undergo a pelvic examination and, if necessary, receive treatment.
Risk factors
In women, the risk of developing varicose veins in the small pelvis increases with the following factors:
- bad habits;
- overeating;
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and tendency to constipation;
- lack of intimate life;
- difficult pregnancy;
- surgical interventions;
- damage to the pelvic organs;
- hormonal treatment;
- heavy physical activity.
Symptoms of varicose veins of the pelvic organs
Many women have no symptoms of pelvic varicose veins. The disease can exist for a long time without clinical manifestations. At the same time, the pathology is insidious in that it progresses imperceptibly and results in serious health problems.
Symptoms of varicose veins of small pelvis in women are similar to other gynecological pathologies. Therefore, when choosing a treatment strategy, it is necessary to make a differential diagnosis and exclude other diseases of the pelvic organs.
Common symptoms of varicose veins of the small pelvis:
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- breakthrough abnormal uterine bleeding;
- discharge unrelated to the menstrual cycle;
- a feeling of expansion and the presence of a foreign body in the pelvis;
- lumbago in the sacrum, lower back, leg, perineum;
- bright premenstrual syndrome;
- severe pain during menstrual bleeding;
- discomfort and pain during intimacy;
- frequent urination;
- dysfunction of the digestive system.
A characteristic sign of varicose veins in the pelvis in women is the formation of curved blue veins in the external genitalia and vagina.
Diagnosis of varicose veins in the pelvis
A preliminary diagnosis can be made based on the patient's complaints and clinical examination. Visually, varicose veins look like cyanotic nodes and dilated veins. Since the symptoms of pathology are often confused with other gynecological diseases, it is necessary to carry out diagnostics to clarify the diagnosis:
- visual examination of external genitalia;
- examination of the vagina and cervix on speculums;
- palpation and diagnostics of the functionality of the valves in the groin area;
- Pelvic ultrasound;
- Doppler research;
- CT scan;
- magnetic tomography;
- hysteroscopy;
- laparoscopy.
Treatment of varicose veins of small pelvic veins
Treatment of pelvic varicose veins in women can be surgical, conservative or complex. The treatment method is selected individually according to clinical manifestations, the stage of varicose veins, the cause of the development of vascular pathology and other factors. The main goal of treatment is to reduce the symptoms of the disease and improve the quality of life.
Medicinal treatment of varicose veins of the small pelvis
For varicose veins of the small pelvis, the doctor chooses an individual drug treatment regimen. The following drugs are traditionally prescribed:
- Venotonic. Modern pharmacology offers many types of venotonics. The main task of drugs is to increase the elasticity of blood vessels, normalize blood flow and stabilize the work of valves. Medicines can be used both for internal use and in the form of ointments.
- Anticoagulants. Medicines are prescribed for blood thickening due to pelvic varicose veins. This parameter is determined by laboratory tests. Blood thinners prevent blood clotting and reduce blood thickness.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Medicines are used for severe pain and as an additional remedy for the inflammatory process. As a rule, NSAIDs have a symptomatic effect. They eliminate the symptoms of varicose veins of the small pelvic veins, but do not completely solve the problem.
- Vitamin complexes and trace elements. Since most people are deficient in nutrients and don't get enough from food, a vitamin supplement is recommended. It is recommended to take vitamins B, C, D for varicose veins.
Surgery
If medical treatment fails, it is recommended to consider the possibility of surgical treatment of pelvic varicose veins. The operation is also performed for severe forms of varicose veins.
A modern method of treatment of enlarged vessels is endovascular embolization of gonadal vessels. The procedure is performed in a hospital under general anesthesia. The operation involves inserting coils into the dilated vein using a catheter, which closes the duct. As a result, blood flow stops completely in the pathological area. It should be noted that the operation is safe in terms of damage to the circulatory system. Since dilated veins themselves are pathological and no longer able to function properly, it is advisable to remove them from the general circulation. Refusal of treatment is accompanied by an increased risk of blood clots in the veins.
Endovascular embolization procedure allows to solve the problem of varicose veins of the small pelvis in 95% of cases. In the future, a woman is recommended to prevent vascular diseases for life.
General recommendations for women with pelvic varicose veins
At any stage of the treatment of varicose veins, as well as after the correction technique is completed, doctors recommend women to wear compression garments. After the operation, the period of use of such knitwear is determined individually. Socks are usually worn day and night during the first days after surgery. In the future, it is allowed to relieve compression during sleep.
Women with pelvic varicose veins are not recommended to engage in strenuous exercise or weight bearing. Baths, saunas and hot baths should be completely avoided. Thermal procedures can aggravate the course of varicose veins.
With varicose veins, special attention should be paid to body weight. Excess weight can become a stimulator of varicose veins. Therefore, it is important to stabilize body weight and lead an active lifestyle.
Why are pelvic varicose veins dangerous for women?
Complications of varicose veins:
- thromboembolism;
- thrombophlebitis;
- vascular thrombosis;
- hemorrhoids;
- hormonal imbalance;
- abnormal uterine bleeding;
- chronic pelvic pain;
- infinity.
Pregnancy and varicose veins of small pelvic veins
Varicose veins are not usually the cause of infertility. Dilated and dilated veins can be an increased risk factor for women planning to become pregnant. It is impossible to tell immediately how the expectant mother's body will behave. The uterus is the main organ for the unborn child. If the blood flow in the reproductive organ is disturbed or the blood circulation of the placenta is disturbed, then the risk of miscarriage or the formation of various intrauterine disorders is high.
Prevention of varicose veins of small pelvic veins
There is no specific prevention of varicose veins of the small pelvis. Every woman is at risk of developing varicose veins. Therefore, everyone should follow simple rules:
- healthy lifestyle;
- good nutrition;
- prevention of obesity;
- giving up bad habits;
- moderate physical activity;
- drink enough fluids;
- refusal to wear high heels for a long time;
- a rational approach to pregnancy planning and prevention of pregnancy complications;
- the use of compression garments with a high risk of varicose veins;
- regularly scheduled medical examinations.
If varicose veins of the small pelvic veins are already detected, the doctor will give recommendations to prevent the development of the disease. As a rule, a woman is prescribed a course of venotonics and regular wearing of compression garments.