Vein 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 the walls, formation of plaques, dysfunction of 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, a feeling of heaviness and squeezing, and sometimes even leads to dysfunction of the reproductive system.
What are varicose veins of the small pelvis
Phlebeurysmis a pathology characterized by a change in the normal state of the vessels and veins of the human body. The ICD-10 does not have a separate classification. Vein diseases are designated by code I80-I89. A separate classification includes varicose veins of the lower extremities (I83. 9), which is 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 occurs, their expansion and stretching. 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 in them, which are popularly called varicose veins.
In recent years, there has been a trend towards rejuvenation of the disease. If previously, varicose veins of the small pelvis mainly affected older 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) is often accompanied by other pathological processes, which seriously complicates the diagnostic procedure.
Varicose veins affect the function of the pelvic organs. May be accompanied by severe symptoms or have no 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 occur differently in different women. Some patients complain of severe symptoms, while others experience virtually 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 accurately characterizes the development of 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 great vein, as a result of which the external genital vein is affected. Often the cause is long-term pregnancy, during which compression of the inferior vena cava and iliac vein occurs by the enlarged uterus.
- Venous congestion syndrome- characterized by expansion and stretching of the veins inside the small 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 occur in three stages. As the disease progresses, one stage replaces another. The stages of the disease differ in the severity of symptoms and severity of the disease.
- First stage
Characterized by dilation of veins up to a diameter of 5 mm. The vascular tone decreases, and the mesh takes on a tortuous appearance.
- Second stage
It is characterized by a decrease in the elasticity of the vascular bed in the pelvis. The diameter of dilated veins is from 6 to 10 mm. Parametrial vessels and ovarian plexuses are affected.
- Third stage
Characterized by total damage to the vascular fiber. The expansion diameter exceeds 10 mm. Against the background of progressive varicose veins, a woman may develop complications.
Nature of development
According to the nature of the occurrence 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 overstretched vessels. Often, the causes of primary varicose veins are increased physical activity, complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and the use of hormonal medications.
- 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 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 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 muscles and blood vessels increases greatly. The growing uterus puts pressure on neighboring 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 other health problems.
- Decreased physical activity. The human body needs regular physical activity. We are not talking about exhausting 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 medications 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;
- pelvic organ injuries;
- 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, resulting in serious health problems.
Signs of varicose veins of the small pelvis in women may be similar to other gynecological pathologies. Therefore, when choosing treatment tactics, it is necessary to perform differential diagnosis and exclude other diseases of the pelvic organs.
General symptoms of varicose veins of the small pelvis:
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- breakthrough abnormal uterine bleeding;
- discharge that has no relationship with the menstrual cycle;
- a feeling of distension and the 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;
- dysfunction of the digestive tract.
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 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, to clarify the diagnosis it is necessary to perform diagnostics:
- visual examination of the external genitalia;
- examination of the vagina and cervix in speculums;
- palpation and diagnosis of the functionality of valves in the groin area;
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
- Doppler study;
- CT scan;
- 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, in accordance with the 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.
Drug treatment of varicose veins of the small pelvis
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 medications is to increase the elasticity of blood vessels, normalize blood flow, and stabilize the functioning of valves. The drugs can be used both for internal use and in the form of ointments.
- Anticoagulants. The drugs are prescribed for blood thickening due to pelvic varicose 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 remedy for the inflammatory process. As a rule, NSAIDs have a symptomatic effect. They relieve signs of varicose veins of the small pelvis, but do not solve the problem entirely.
- Vitamin complexes and microelements. Since most people are deficient in nutrients and do not get enough from food, supplemental vitamin intake is recommended. For varicose veins, it is recommended to take vitamins B, C, D.
Surgery
If drug treatment is unsuccessful, 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 treating dilated veins is endovascular embolization of gonadal vessels. The procedure is performed in a hospital under general anesthesia. The operation involves inserting coils that block the duct using a catheter into 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 harm to the circulatory system. Since dilated veins themselves are pathological and are no longer able to function correctly, 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 solving the problem of varicose veins of the small pelvis in 95% of cases. In the future, the woman is recommended to undergo lifelong prevention of vascular diseases.
General recommendations for women with pelvic varicose veins
At any stage of treatment for varicose veins, as well as after completion of the correction technique, doctors recommend that women wear compression garments. After the operation, the period of use of such jersey is determined individually. Usually, in the first days after surgery, stockings are worn around the clock. In the future, it is permissible to remove the compression during sleep.
Women with pelvic varicose veins are not recommended 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, 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 varicose veins of the pelvis dangerous for women?
Complications of varicose veins:
- thromboembolism;
- thrombophlebitis;
- vein thrombosis;
- haemorrhoids;
- hormonal imbalances;
- abnormal uterine bleeding;
- chronic pelvic pain;
- infertility.
Pregnancy and varicose veins of the small pelvis
Varicose veins are not usually a cause of infertility. Enlarged and distended veins may be an increased risk factor for women planning to conceive. It is impossible to say right away how the body of the expectant mother will behave. The uterus is the main organ for the unborn child. If the blood flow in the reproductive organ is impaired or the blood circulation of the placenta is obstructed, then 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 has a risk of developing varicose veins. Therefore, everyone needs to follow simple rules:
- healthy lifestyle;
- good nutrition;
- obesity prevention;
- rejection of bad habits;
- moderate physical activity;
- drinking enough liquid;
- 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;
- regular 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.