Pathologies of veins 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 stretching of blood vessels, thinning of the walls, formation of plaques, valve dysfunction, blood thickening and other negative consequences. Varicose veins of the small pelvis in women are a type of venous pathology. It is characterized by discomfort, pain, a feeling of heaviness and tightness, and sometimes even leads to disorders of the function of the reproductive system.
What are varicose veins of the small pelvis
Phlebeurismis a pathology characterized by a change in the normal state of the blood vessels and veins of the human body. ICD-10 has no special classification. Vein diseases are coded I80-I89. A special classification includes varicose veins of the lower extremities (I83. 9), which are often combined with varicose veins of the small pelvis in women.
In the case of varicose veins of the small pelvis, the walls of the blood vessels become thinner, they expand and stretch. In this state, the blood stagnates. Due to the decrease in tone, the vessels cannot fully function and pump blood, which is why peculiar knots are formed in them, which are popularly called varicose veins.
In recent years, there has been a trend of rejuvenation of the disease. If previously varicose veins of the small pelvis mostly affected older women, now the pathology is more often found in young patients. According to statistics, up to 20% of women of childbearing age have various degrees of varicose veins. Varicose veins of the pelvis (PVVD) are often accompanied by other pathological processes, which seriously complicates the diagnostic procedure.
Varicose veins affect the function of the pelvic organs. It can be accompanied by severe symptoms or without clinical manifestations. In difficult situations, it becomes a 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 appear differently in different women. Some patients complain of severe symptoms, while others have practically no manifestations of pathology. For some, even serious treatment does not allow them to completely get rid of the pathology, while others can easily cope with the disease through lifestyle changes. In gynecology, a classification of varicose veins of the small pelvis has been adopted, which precisely characterizes the development of the pathology.
Forms of varicose veins of the small pelvis
Dilated pelvic veins in women are accompanied by a decrease in the tone of the vascular wall, weakening, reduced elasticity and the creation of ectasia - an increase in the lumen in a limited area of the vein.
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 channel of the large vein, due to which the external genital vein is affected. Often, the cause is a long-term pregnancy, during which the inferior vena cava and iliac vein are compressed by the enlarged uterus.
- Venous congestion syndrome- characterized by the expansion and stretching of the veins inside the pelvis and the return of blood through them. The causes of such reflux can be very diverse.
Stages of varicose veins of the small pelvis
Varicose veins of the pelvic organs can appear in three stages. As the disease progresses, one phase replaces another. The stages of the disease differ according to the severity of the symptoms and the severity of the disease.
- The first stage
It is characterized by the expansion of veins up to a diameter of 5 mm. Vascular tone decreases, and the network takes on a tortuous appearance.
- The second stage
It is characterized by a decrease in the elasticity of the vascular bed in the pelvis. The diameter of varicose veins is from 6 to 10 mm. Parametrial vessels and ovarian plexuses are affected.
- The third phase
It is characterized by total damage to vascular fibers. The diameter of the expansion exceeds 10 mm. Against the background of progressive varicose veins, a woman can develop complications.
The nature of development
According to the nature of origin and development, varicose veins of the small pelvis are divided into:
- Primary varicose veins of the pelvic veins in women
It is formed on the background of acquired or congenital valve pathologies. Doctors usually talk about valvular venous insufficiency, which is accompanied by the appearance of tortuous and overloaded vessels. 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 arises on the background of past illnesses. Infectious pathologies, tumor processes, endometriosis of the pelvis and abnormal development of the pelvic organs can affect the tone of the veins.
Causes of the development of varicose veins of the small pelvis
Pathologies of the veins of the pelvic organs can develop for the following reasons:
- Heredity. Often, vein diseases in women are inherited. If a mother, grandmother or aunt in the family had varicose veins, then the disease will probably affect the next female generation.
- Dysplasia of the connective tissue of the pelvic organs. It 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 greatly. The growing uterus puts pressure on the adjacent tissues and veins. With polyhydramnios, multiple pregnancies, large fetuses and other conditions, a woman can develop varicose veins.
- Excess body weight. With obesity in women, the pressure on the pelvic organs increases. This can lead not only to the development of varicose veins, but also to other health problems.
- Reduced 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. A sedentary lifestyle disrupts blood flow in the pelvis and stagnant processes develop.
- Hormonal disorders. The work of the entire female body is completely subject to the hormonal level. 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 pelvis. If a woman has tortuous blood vessels in her legs, she should definitely undergo an examination of the pelvic vessels and, if necessary, undergo treatment.
Risk factors
The risk of developing varicose veins of the small pelvis in women increases with the following factors:
- bad habits;
- overeating;
- disorder of the gastrointestinal tract and tendency to constipation;
- lack of intimate life;
- difficult pregnancy;
- surgical interventions;
- pelvic organ injuries;
- hormonal treatment;
- heavy physical activities.
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, resulting in serious health problems.
Signs of varicose veins of the small pelvis in women can be similar to other gynecological pathologies. Therefore, when choosing treatment tactics, it is necessary to carry out a differential diagnosis and exclude other diseases of the pelvic organs.
General symptoms of varicose veins of the small pelvis:
- lower abdominal pain;
- breakthrough abnormal uterine bleeding;
- discharge not associated with the menstrual cycle;
- a feeling of bloating and the presence of a foreign body in the pelvis;
- lumbago in the sacrum, lower back, leg, perineum;
- light premenstrual syndrome;
- intense pain during menstrual bleeding;
- discomfort and pain during intimacy;
- frequent urination;
- digestive tract dysfunction.
A characteristic sign of pelvic varicose veins in women is the formation of tortuous bluish veins in the area of the external genitalia and in the 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 vessels. Since the signs of pathology are often confused with other gynecological diseases, it is necessary to carry out diagnostics to clarify the diagnosis:
- visual inspection of the external genitalia;
- examination of the vagina and cervix in speculums;
- palpation and diagnosis of valve functionality in the groin area;
- Ultrasound of pelvic organs;
- Doppler study;
- CT scanner;
- magnetic tomography;
- hysteroscopy;
- laparoscopy.
Treatment of varicose veins of the small pelvis
Treatment of pelvic varicose veins in women can be surgical, conservative or complex. The method of treatment is selected individually, in accordance with clinical manifestations, the stage of varicose veins, the cause of the development of vein pathology and other factors. The main goal of treatment is to reduce the symptoms of the disease and improve the quality of life.
Treatment of varicose veins of the small pelvis with drugs
For varicose veins of the small pelvis, the doctor selects an individual drug treatment regimen. The following drugs are traditionally prescribed:
- Venotonics. Modern pharmacology offers many types of venotonics. The main task of the drugs is to increase the elasticity of blood vessels, normalize blood flow and stabilize the operation of the valves. Medicines can be used both for internal use and in the form of ointments.
- Anticoagulants. Medicines are prescribed to thicken the blood due to enlarged pelvic veins. This parameter is determined by laboratory testing. Blood thinners prevent the formation of blood clots and reduce blood thickness.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Medicines are used for severe pain and as an additional medicine for the inflammatory process. As a rule, NSAIDs have a symptomatic effect. They alleviate the signs of varicose veins of the small pelvis, but do not solve the problem completely.
- Vitamin complexes and microelements. Since most people are deficient in nutrients and do not get enough of them through food, supplemental vitamin intake is recommended. For varicose veins, it is recommended to take vitamins B, C, D.
Operation
If drug treatment is unsuccessful, it is recommended to consider the possibility of surgical treatment of pelvic varicose veins. The operation is also performed in severe forms of varicose veins.
A modern method of treating varicose veins is endovascular embolization of gonadal vessels. The procedure is performed in a hospital under general anesthesia. The operation involves inserting duct-blocking coils using a catheter into the varicose vein. As a result, the blood flow in the pathological area stops completely. It should be noted that the operation is safe from the point of view of damage to the circulatory system. Since varicose veins are pathological in themselves and can no longer function properly, it is advisable to exclude them from the general circulation. Refusal of treatment is accompanied by an increased risk of blood clots in the vessels.
The procedure of endovascular embolization allows solving the problem of varicose veins of the small pelvis in 95% of cases. In the future, the woman is recommended lifelong prevention of vascular diseases.
General recommendations for women with varicose veins of the pelvis
At any stage of the treatment of varicose veins, as well as after the completion of the correction technique, doctors recommend women to wear a compression suit. After surgery, the period of use of such a jersey is determined individually. Usually, in the first days after surgery, stockings are worn non-stop. In the future, it is allowed to remove compression during sleep.
Women with varicose veins of the pelvis are not recommended to play strenuous sports or carry weights. Baths, saunas and hot baths should be completely avoided. Thermal procedures can worsen the flow 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;
- venous thrombosis;
- hemorrhoids;
- hormonal imbalances;
- abnormal uterine bleeding;
- chronic pelvic pain;
- infertility.
Pregnancy and varicose veins of the small pelvis
Varicose veins are usually not the cause of infertility. Varicose veins and varicose veins can be an increased risk factor for women planning to become pregnant. It is impossible to tell immediately how the future 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 obstructed, there is a high risk of miscarriage or various intrauterine disorders.
Prevention of varicose veins of the small pelvis
There is no specific prevention of varicose veins of the small pelvis. Every woman is at risk of developing varicose veins. Therefore, everyone must follow simple rules:
- healthy lifestyle;
- good nutrition;
- prevention of obesity;
- rejection of bad habits;
- moderate physical activity;
- drink enough fluids;
- refusal to wear high heels for a long time;
- rational approach to pregnancy planning and prevention of pregnancy complications;
- use of compression garments with a high risk of varicose veins;
- regularly scheduled medical examinations.
If varicose veins of the small pelvis have already been detected, then the doctor will give recommendations on how to prevent the progression of the disease. As a rule, a woman is prescribed a course of venotonics and regular wearing of compression garments.