Persistent pain in the pelvic area in women is often associated with circulation problems in this plane. Latent enlargement of the pelvic veins is not uncommon. What is it and how to deal with it - we will consider in this material!
According to medical statistics, more than half of middle-aged women suffer from recurrent lower abdominal pain. About half of these cases are related to circulatory disorders. This is manifested by stagnation of blood and subsequent interstitial effusion into the pelvic cavity. The blockage leads to compression of the soft tissues of the organs. This provokes the development of pain syndrome. The cause of this pathological process is varicose veins of the small pelvis.
It usually begins to develop during pregnancy and then progresses slowly throughout a woman's life. Currently, there are no reliable data on the causes of this phenomenon and on effective treatments.
Development Mechanism
In a normally functioning vein, blood flows in only one direction. Backflow is prevented by a valve system. In the event that the valves lose their integrity and elasticity, a gradual reverse flow of venous blood will form. With a prolonged pathological process leads to a state of constant stagnation of blood. As a result, the vessel wall stretches and the venous cavity expands. It loses bandwidth and compression as needed.
In the early stages, the pain in this disease occurs due to the invasion of nerve endings inside the vessel walls of the venous bed.
Possible causes
Currently, science still does not know exactly what causes this disease. Possible risk factors include the following.
- Pregnancy physiology. During pregnancy, the amount of circulating blood increases significantly. This leads to an increase in the weight of the pregnant woman. It is believed that excess blood volume combined with excess body weight contributes to dilation of the vein layer. In the future, this causes blockage and damage to the venous valves.
- The action of estrogens. During pregnancy, huge amounts of the hormone estrogen are continuously introduced into a woman's body. They are necessary for the preservation and development of the fetus. Estrogen reduces the risk of miscarriage by relaxing the muscles in the uterus. But on the other hand, these substances negatively affect the contraction of blood vessels.
- Individual anatomical disorders. In some patients, individual anatomical features are revealed in relation to the veins of the small pelvis. In principle, their position is unfavorable for the onset of pregnancy. Thus, the initiation of fertilization in most cases leads to the development of venous insufficiency.
Is there a relationship between this condition and varicose veins of the lower extremities?
Varicose veins of the small pelvis are very similar to varicose veins in the legs. In both cases, the valves in the veins that help blood flow to the heart are affected. The function of the valves to prevent backflow of blood is impaired. When the valves collapse, blood collects in the veins. Distended veins aggravate the blockage. Pelvic vein overload syndrome develops mainly near the uterus, fallopian tubes, vulva, and even the vagina. This condition is often associated with weight gain, which is inevitable during pregnancy.
Varicose veins are commonly seen in women:
- between the ages of 20-45;
- during multiple pregnancy.
What are the signs and symptoms?
The most common complaint of an injured woman is pain of varying severity. The pain syndrome is of a constant and non-cyclical nature. Increased pain occurs:
- before the start of menstruation;
- at the end of a tiring working day;
- after being on your feet for a long time;
- during or immediately after intercourse;
- in the later stages of pregnancy.
All of these symptoms are reason enough to see a phlebologist. This condition may be associated with a cyclical increase in total body weight of 2-5 kg. This weight is formed mainly by the effusion of fluid into the abdominal cavity of the small pelvis.
There are many other nonspecific symptoms that appear with varying intensity. In general, symptoms are more likely to occur late in the day or after prolonged standing or even after intercourse. In some cases, pain can be severe and affect personal and social relationships.
Signs may also include:
- swelling of the vulva and vagina;
- varicose veins of the external genitalia, buttocks, legs;
- irregular menstrual bleeding;
- pain when touching the lower abdomen;
- pain during intercourse;
- painful menstruation;
- backache;
- vaginal discharge;
- general weakness and lethargy;
- feelings of depression and sadness.
In most cases, the presence of pelvic stasis syndrome is not obvious, and the diagnosis can only be made after ruling out other diseases. Similar disorders that may have similar symptoms include:
- Endometrial optimism;
- fibroids;
- uterine prolapse (the uterus sinks lower into the pelvis, due to weak pelvic floor muscles).
Diagnostics and research in the laboratory
For a complete diagnosis of the presence of stasis, laboratory tests are important. A woman is usually assigned a standard set of exams.
Ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs. It will help evaluate the condition of the uterus and other organs of the small pelvis. It can also help visualize blood flow and the presence of varicose veins in the pelvis. The procedure is painless and takes about 30 minutes. Generally cheap and effective.
Phlebograms. This test was widely used in the past to diagnose blood pooling in the pelvic cavity, but today, where possible, this procedure is being replaced by computed tomography. The test involves injecting a special dye into a vein in the groin and then using X-rays. The procedure takes about 30-45 minutes and is done on an outpatient basis. The examination is not painful, however, there is a risk of developing an allergic reaction to the contrast material. In addition, the possibility of radiation exposure of the pelvic organs is also not excluded.
Computed tomography is commonly used in the diagnosis of pelvic varicose veins. This method allows you to visually examine the anatomical structure of the small pelvis and identify varicose veins of the small pelvis. This is due to radiation exposure and is not recommended for testing in pregnant women.
Magnetic resonance imaging is a very useful test in the diagnosis of pelvic congestion syndrome. It does not use radiation and contrast agents. This is a painless test. The images are of excellent quality. This is the preferred method of choice for the diagnosis of most cases. This test takes about 15 minutes and is done on an outpatient basis.