Modern medicine does not pay much attention to small pelvic varicose veins.This issue began to be discussed only in the 80s of the last century.In this regard, diagnosing pathology today is very difficult.Many experts of the Soviet school do not clearly understand how to treat pelvic varicose veins in women.Therefore, vascular diseases continue to progress and cause serious changes in the functioning of the reproductive system.
What are varicose veins of the pelvic vessels?
When talking about small pelvic varicose veins, many people remember hemorrhoids.However, when the topic concerns the female population, the problem becomes global.Intestinal vessels do not necessarily cause pelvic varicose veins in women.Therefore, not having hemorrhoids does not guarantee that the patient does not have pelvic varicose veins.
The first mention of pelvic varicose veins in women appeared only in 1975. Initially, surgical treatments were used, but were not justified.
Pelvic varicose veins are a condition in which blood vessels dilate unnaturally.For some reason, veins lose their elasticity.They, as before, took out the necessary amount of blood, but could no longer push it out.As a result, biological fluid stagnates in the vessels.The walls stretch, become thinner and damaged.The disease progresses throughout life and does not manifest immediately.Therefore, pelvic varicose veins are most common in women approaching 30-40 years old.The danger of varicose veins is that stagnant processes develop in stretched vessels.This increases the risk of blood clots.In addition, small pelvic varicose veins significantly reduce a woman's quality of life and cause other health problems.
Causes of pelvic varicose veins
Since varicose veins of the pelvis in women began to receive attention relatively recently, this problem is not yet fully understood.Doctors cannot name the exact cause of the disease.There are many different hypotheses regarding the occurrence of the pathology, but so far none have been recognized.
Causes of varicose veins in the pelvic area can be:
- Genetic predisposition.Observations showed that the examined patients all had a family history of vascular disease since childhood.
- Wrong lifestyle.Vascular disease develops due to poor nutrition, smoking, alcohol abuse and a sedentary lifestyle.
- Connective tissue dysplasia.The decrease in collagen and other components of connective tissue leads to dilation of blood vessels.
According to statistics, up to 35% of healthy people suffer from connective tissue dysplasia and vascular diseases in old age.Of these, about 70% are female.At the same time, experts have not yet learned how to anticipate such changes and effectively prevent small pelvic varicose veins.
Risk factors
Pelvic varicose veins develop more often in women who:
- have bad habits;
- have a sedentary lifestyle;
- spend a lot of time sitting;
- not living an intimate life;
- overweight;
- have varicose veins in the lower limbs;
- have given birth at least once;
- had abdominal surgery.
Pelvic varicose veins: symptoms in women
Not all patients with pelvic varicose veins have symptoms.Many women have not known about their disease for many years and suddenly discover it.Some have clinical manifestations but link them to other conditions.Due to the difficulty of diagnosis and little attention to this disease, doctors often make mistakes when diagnosing.For example, a woman complains of abdominal pain, and the doctor discovers that her appendages are inflamed, but in fact the symptoms are caused by varicose veins.
Symptoms of the disease:
- pain in the lower part of the abdominal cavity, spreading to the sacrum or legs;
- discomfort during sex;
- feeling of heaviness in the pelvis during menstrual bleeding;
- swelling of the lower abdomen;
- Varicose veins of external genitalia and lower limbs;
- increased platelets in the blood.
If a woman is at risk and has typical symptoms of pelvic varicose veins, the disorder must be ruled out.For this purpose, clinics use laboratory diagnostic methods, instruments and hardware.
Pelvic varicose veins during pregnancy
Pelvic varicose veins can cause women to become pregnant because blood circulation in the pelvic area is impaired.If the disease affects the gonads, their function will change.However, in most cases, varicose veins do not prevent conception but can cause problems during pregnancy.
During pregnancy, patients with pelvic varicose veins need special attention.During pregnancy, various problems with blood supply to the placenta can occur, leading to irreparable consequences in the development of the fetus.With increased levels of platelets in the blood, women need bone thinning injections to prevent complications during pregnancy.
Diagnostic methods in the clinic
A doctor may suspect small pelvic varicose veins in women during their first examination.The gynecologist compares symptoms, evaluates risk factors, and performs a manual examination.When palpated, the patient feels pain in the pelvic area.If varicose veins appear on the external genitalia or inner thighs, there is a high chance that the problem also appears in the pelvis.To confirm pathology, clinics use hardware and instrument techniques:
- Supersonic.When examining the pelvic area, specialists often do not pay attention to blood vessels.However, the newest ultrasound scanners can check veins.With varicose veins, they are crooked and dilated, and have an unnatural position.
- Dopplerography of blood vessels.Diagnosis evaluates the condition of the vascular and venous system of the pelvic organs.With varicose veins, decreased systolic velocity is detected in the iliac veins of the ovaries and uterus.
- Endoscopy.Using an optical system, the surgeon examines the inside of the abdominal wall, uterine surface, and adnexa.
- CT scan.Computerized or magnetic studies using contrast agents allow you to examine in detail the location of the veins and see their dilated areas.
Additionally, laboratory tests may be used.For differential diagnosis, the doctor prescribes additional examinations, based on the results obtained.
Treatment of pelvic varicose veins in women
In the absence of pronounced changes in the veins, the patient is prescribed drug treatment.Varicose veins and anticoagulants are used and vitamin therapy is recommended.Typically, one to four courses are offered over the course of a year.When suffering from pelvic varicose veins, it is important to improve the patient's quality of life and help relieve painful symptoms.
Treatment of vascular pathologies is necessarily complemented by lifestyle modifications.It is important to reduce cholesterol levels in the body to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disorders.You should lead an active lifestyle, play sports, follow a proper diet and give up bad habits.
During pregnancy, it is recommended to regularly visit a phlebologist.If necessary, the doctor will prescribe an unexpected examination.During pregnancy in the second half of pregnancy, drugs can be used to maintain the tone of the veins, but only as prescribed by a doctor.Medicines prescribed during pregnancy are first evaluated for expected benefits and possible risks.
Treatment at the clinic
If there are no results after outpatient treatment, hospitalization may be recommended.Correction of pelvic varicose veins in clinics is performed surgically.Modern surgery uses minimally invasive techniques - sclerotherapy, laser coagulation and others.If necessary, open surgery is prescribed.
There is no single treatment regimen for pelvic varicose veins.An individual approach is chosen for each woman.During treatment, the regimen may be changed based on the evaluation of the results obtained.
prevent
Prevention of small pelvic varicose veins should be done from a young age.It is a mistake to assume that this disease occurs in middle-aged women and does not pose a threat to young girls.Varicose veins begin to develop many years before the clinical picture appears.Therefore, prevention of vascular disorders is necessary for each person.
Recommendation:
- have a healthy lifestyle;
- comply with proper nutrition;
- eliminate bad habits;
- maintain normal body weight;
- undergo routine medical examinations or paid Health Screening diagnostic programs offered by many medical centers.
If you suspect pelvic varicose veins, you should contact your gynecologist and phlebologist.