Venous 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 stretching of blood vessels, thinning of walls, formation of plaques, dysfunction of valves, thickening of blood and other negative consequences. Varicose veins of the small pelvis in women are a type of venous pathology. It is characterized by discomfort, pain, feeling of heaviness and compression, and sometimes even leads to dysfunction 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 vessels and veins of the human body. ICD-10 does not have a separate classification. Venous diseases are designated with codes I80-I89. A separate classification includes varicose veins of the lower extremities (I83. 9), which are often combined with varicose veins of the small pelvis in women.
With varicose veins of the small pelvis, thinning of the walls of blood vessels, their expansion and stretching occurs. In this state, the blood stagnates. Due to the decrease in tone, the vessels are not able to fully function and pump blood, as a result peculiar nodes are formed, which are popularly called varicose veins.
In recent years, a trend towards rejuvenation of the disease has been observed. If previously varicose veins of the small pelvis mainly affected elderly women, now the pathology is increasingly found in young patients. According to statistics, up to 20% of women of childbearing age have varying degrees of varicose veins. Pelvic varicose veins (PVVD) are often accompanied by other pathological processes, which seriously complicate the diagnostic procedure.
Varicose veins affect the function of the pelvic organs. It may be accompanied by severe symptoms or have 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 present differently in different women. Some patients complain of severe symptoms, while others show practically no manifestations of the pathology. For some, even serious treatment does not allow them to completely eliminate 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 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 vascular wall, weakening, decreased elasticity and the formation 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)- characterized by a change in the structure of the ducts of the large vein, as a result of which the external genital vein is affected. Often the cause is a long-term pregnancy, during which compression of the inferior vena cava and iliac vein by the enlarged uterus occurs.
- Venous congestion syndrome- characterized by the expansion and stretching of the veins within the small pelvis and the return of blood through them. The causes of this 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 symptoms and the severity of the disease.
- First stage
Characterized by dilation of the veins up to a diameter of 5 mm. Vascular tone decreases and the network takes on a tortuous appearance.
- Second phase
It is characterized by a decrease in the elasticity of the vascular bed in the pelvis. The diameter of the dilated veins varies from 6 to 10 mm. The parametrial vessels and ovarian plexuses are affected.
- Third phase
Characterized by total damage to the vascular fiber. The expansion diameter exceeds 10 mm. Against the background of progressive varicose veins, a woman can develop complications.
Nature of development
According to the nature of the onset and development, varicose veins of the small pelvis are classified:
- Primary varicose veins of the pelvic veins in women
It is formed against the background of acquired or congenital valve pathologies. Doctors usually talk about valvular insufficiency of the veins, which is accompanied by the appearance of tortuous and tense 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
Formed against the background of past diseases. Infectious pathologies, tumor processes, pelvic endometriosis 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:
- Inheritance. Often venous diseases in women are hereditary. If a mother, grandmother or aunt in the family had varicose veins, the disease is likely to affect the next female generation.
- Connective tissue dysplasia 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 the muscles and blood vessels increases significantly. The growing uterus puts pressure on nearby tissues and adjacent veins. With polyhydramnios, multiple pregnancies, large fetuses and other conditions, a woman may develop varicose veins.
- Excess body weight. With obesity in women, pressure on the pelvic organs increases. 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 disrupted and stagnation 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 pelvis. If a woman has tortuous 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;
- binge eating;
- disruption of the gastrointestinal tract and tendency to constipation;
- lack of intimate life;
- difficult pregnancy;
- surgical interventions;
- injuries of the pelvic organs;
- hormone 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, causing serious health problems.
Signs of varicose veins of the small pelvis in women may be similar to other gynecological pathologies. Therefore, when choosing therapeutic 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;
- abnormal uterine breakthrough bleeding;
- discharge that has no relation to the menstrual cycle;
- sensation of distention and presence of a foreign body in the pelvis;
- lumbago in the sacrum, lower back, leg, perineum;
- bright premenstrual syndrome;
- intense pain during menstrual bleeding;
- discomfort and pain during intimacy;
- frequent urination;
- digestive tract dysfunction.
A characteristic sign of varicose veins in the pelvis in women is the formation of tortuous bluish veins in the area of 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 vessels. Since the signs of the pathology are often confused with other gynecological diseases, to clarify the diagnosis it is necessary to carry out diagnostics:
- visual examination of the external genitalia;
- examination of the vagina and cervix in speculum;
- palpation and diagnosis of the functionality of the valves in the inguinal area;
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
- Doppler study;
- CT;
- 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 treatment method is selected individually, based on clinical manifestations, the stage of varicose veins, the cause of the development of venous pathology and other factors. The main goal of treatment is to reduce the symptoms of the disease and improve the quality of life.
Pharmacological treatment of varicose veins of the small pelvis
For varicose veins of the small pelvis, the doctor selects an individual 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 functioning of valves. Drugs can be used both internally and in the form of ointments.
- Anticoagulants. The drugs are prescribed for thickening of the blood due to pelvic varicose veins. This parameter is determined by laboratory tests. Anticoagulants prevent the formation of blood clots and reduce the thickness of the blood.
- Non-steroidal 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 alleviate the signs of varicose veins in the small pelvis, but do not completely solve the problem.
- Vitamin complexes and microelements. Since most people are nutrient deficient and do not get enough from food, taking additional vitamins is recommended. For varicose veins it is recommended to take vitamins B, C, D.
Surgery
If pharmacological treatment is unsuccessful, it is recommended to consider the possibility of surgical treatment of pelvic varicose veins. The operation is performed even for severe forms of varicose veins.
A modern method of treating dilated veins is endovascular embolization of the gonadal vessels. The procedure is performed in a hospital under general anesthesia. The operation involves the insertion of coils that obstruct the duct using a catheter in the dilated vein. As a result, blood flow completely stops in the pathological area. It should be noted that the operation is safe from the point of view of damage to the circulatory system. Since the dilated veins themselves are pathological and are no longer able to function properly, it is advisable to exclude them from the general circulation. Refusal of treatment is accompanied by an increased risk of blood clots forming in the vessels.
The endovascular embolization procedure allows you to solve the problem of varicose veins of the small pelvis in 95% of cases. In the future, the woman is recommended to undergo permanent prevention of vascular diseases.
General recommendations for women with pelvic varicose veins
At each stage of the treatment of varicose veins, as well as after the completion of the correction technique, doctors recommend women to wear compression garments. After the operation, the period of use of such a mesh is determined individually. Usually, in the first days after surgery, stockings are worn around the clock. In the future, it is allowed to remove compression during sleep.
Women with pelvic varicose veins are not advised to engage in strenuous sports or carry weights. Baths, saunas and hot baths should be completely avoided. Thermal procedures can aggravate the course of varicose veins.
With varicose veins you need to pay special attention to body weight. Excess weight can become a stimulator of varicose veins. Therefore, it is important to stabilize your body weight and lead an active lifestyle.
Why are varicose veins of the pelvis 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 usually do not cause infertility. Enlarged and enlarged veins can be a greater risk factor for women trying to conceive. It is impossible to say right away how the future mother's body will behave. The uterus is the main organ of the unborn child. If the blood flow in the reproductive organ is impaired or the blood circulation of the placenta is hindered, there is a high risk of miscarriage or the formation of 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 runs the risk of developing varicose veins. Therefore, everyone must follow simple rules:
- a healthy lifestyle;
- Correct nutrition;
- obesity prevention;
- rejection of 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 at high risk of varicose veins;
- scheduled periodic medical visits.
If varicose veins of the small pelvis have already been detected, 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 use of compression clothing.