Varicose veins in our body can be localized not only in the legs. The pelvic area is another place that can also get varicose veins. As a rule, a pathological condition in which there are dilated veins in the small pelvis, which occurs in women and is accompanied by periodic discomfort and pain in the lower abdomen. In men, small pelvic varicose veins are also found, but manifest mainly by dilatation of the spermatic cord veins (varicose varices). This pathological process in men can be accompanied by discomfort, heaviness in the scrotum, pain during frigidity.
According to statistics, small pelvic varicose veins, also known as - chronic pelvic pain syndrome, occurs mainly in young women - aged 18 - 48 years old. The number of patients with this disease increases many times with age. The stats are disappointing. So, at the age of 18-19, small iliac varicose veins are detected in 15-18% of women, and by the age of 48 their number increases to 70-80%.
Causes of pelvic varicose veins
The first reason is sedentary. It also includes the patient's job characteristics, "sedentary" or "stood" work. Due to a person lying in an orthopedic position for a long time, the flow of veins is disturbed and this leads to stagnation in the small pelvis. The valves in a pathologically dilated vein no longer stick together, a space is formed between the valves and blood is expelled due to the effect of gravity. In such veins, the blood thickens, and this can then lead to a blood clot.
The second cause is pregnancy. During pregnancy, the uterus increases in size and begins to press on the veins below. In addition, during pregnancy, the hormonal background changes, the volume of blood circulating in the small pelvis increases.
However, in order to help women who are preparing for conception and pregnancy help calm down, such varicose veins do not pose a direct danger. With varicose veins of the small pelvis, childbirth is usually insignificant. An unpleasant moment - in 30-40% of pregnant women there is dilation of the vulvar and perineal veins. But we must remember that immediately after childbirth, these veins decrease significantly, and after a year they completely disappear. After childbirth, varicose veins of the small pelvis remain in only 2-6% of patients.
The third cause is the appearance of various types of gynecological pathologies for treatment with hormonal drugs.
The fourth reason is smoking. Smoking while taking hormonal contraceptives is very dangerous. Smoking thickens the blood like hormonal contraceptives. Therefore, many absurd accidents are known in medicine, when girls who smoked taking hormonal contraceptives died from blood clots.
The fifth cause is obesity. With excess body weight, the load on the ships increased significantly.
The sixth cause is due to the ecological situation in the area of residence, air pollution in cities, especially megacities, which increases the risk of developing varicose veins.
The main symptoms of small pelvic varicose veins
- painful menstruation;
- recurrent pain in the lower abdomen, as well as in the pelvic region, spreading to the sacrum, lower back, perineum;
- pain and discomfort in the vulva or vagina, during and after intimacy;
- heavy discharge of mucus from the vagina, usually in the second half of the menstrual cycle;
- Visible dilation of the venous vessels in the genital area, in the groin. "Asterisks", "mesh" on the buttocks and back of the thighs.
What to do if you have symptoms of pelvic varicose veins?
If you notice all of the above in yourself, then do not delay to see a doctor, otherwise possible complications will not keep you waiting long.
The first doctor you should see is a gynecologist.
He will conduct an inspection, appointing all the necessary examinations. All patients with suspected iliac varicose veins have ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs.
To clarify the diagnosis, the patient is referred to a phlebologist. They perform an ultrasound duplex scan of the veins of the lower extremities (USDG), which allows you to get a complete picture of the vein's flow.
In difficult cases, the phlebologist may prescribe additional methods of examination (CT, MRI or diagnostic laparoscopy). To establish an accurate diagnosis and determine the extent of the disease, these studies are enough.
The degree of varicose veins of the small pelvis
- 1 degree - the veins of the small pelvis are up to 5 mm in diameter (lesions to any venous plexus of the small pelvis are noted), the course of the vessels already has a zigzag shape;
- 2 degrees - the size of the veins is from 6 to 10 mm; Varicose veins on ultrasound are visible throughout the small pelvis, and can only affect the ovarian plexus, or the veins in the uterus, or the veins of the uterine muscle;
- Grade 3 is the state of dilatation of the entire small iliac vein, the spermatic cord veins are over 10-12 mm in diameter.
How to treat varicose veins?
Non-drug treatments
- Fight against motivation. If the job involves sitting or standing for a long time, warm up after 1 - 1. 5 hours;
- Quit smoking, alcohol (especially if you are pregnant! );
- Wear compression underwear (stockings, pantyhose) to improve venous flow from the lower extremities;
- Wear comfortable shoes, avoid wearing high heels;
- Diet (exclude from the diet salty, spicy, fried). Salty foods always retain fluids in the body, leading to edema, increased blood pressure - thus worsening the condition of blood flowing out through the veins. You need to include in the diet a lot of fiber (fruits, vegetables, herbs);
- In contrast to the shower, (especially in the thighs, perineum, lower abdomen);
- Physical therapy and breathing exercises.
Medicines for treatment
- Phlebotonics - to improve the tone of varicose veins, reduce their permeability;
- Horse chestnut extract - to reduce inflammation and swelling;
- Troxerutin - to improve the outflow of blood from varicose veins, increase the tone of the veins, reduce inflammation and edema;
- Vitamin C - strengthens the walls of blood vessels, reduces their fragility.
Intravenous gels and ointments must not be used in the treatment of pelvic varicose veins due to the internal location of the affected veins.
Doctors recommend a mandatory combination of drug therapy with the wearing of hosiery (socks, stockings). During pregnancy, there is a special need for compression clothing.
Surgery
Surgery is an extreme measure used when medical correction is not possible and ineffective, and the disease is advanced and can cause a number of complications.
Different techniques are used depending on the prevalence, location, and diameter of the pathological veins. In cases where surgical intervention is required, the choice of the type of surgical support is individual, since it all depends on the location and prevalence.