Vein pathology in women is a common phenomenon. Gender is determined by hormonal changes, lifestyle characteristics, body functions and other factors. Veins can be damaged under the influence of external and internal factors. This leads to the stretching of blood vessels, thinning of the walls, plaque formation, valve dysfunction, blood thickening and other negative consequences. Small pelvic varicose veins in women are a type of vein pathology. It is characterized by discomfort, pain, heaviness and squeezing, and sometimes also leads to dysfunction of the reproductive system.
What are small pelvic varicose veins?
Phlebeurismis a pathology characterized by changes in the normal state of the channels and veins of the human body. ICD-10 does not have a separate classification. Diseases of the veins are designated by codes I80-I89. A separate classification includes varicose veins of the lower legs (I83. 9), which are often combined with small pelvic varicose veins in women.
With small pelvic varicose veins, thinning of the blood vessel wall occurs, its expansion and stretching. In this condition, the blood stagnates. Due to the decrease in tone, the vessel cannot fully function and pump blood, as a result, a strange node is formed in it, known as varicose veins.
In recent years, there has been a trend towards rejuvenation of the disease. If previously, small pelvic varicose veins 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) are often accompanied by other pathological processes, which seriously complicate 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 source of complications. Varicose vein treatment is selected individually and does not always achieve the desired results.
Classification of small pelvic varicose veins
Pelvic varicose veins occur differently in different women. Some patients complain of severe symptoms, while others experience almost no pathological manifestations. For some people, even serious treatment does not allow them to completely get rid of the pathology, while others can easily overcome the disease through lifestyle changes. In gynecology, the classification of small pelvic varicose veins has been adopted, which accurately characterizes the development of the pathology.
Small pelvic varicose veins
Varicose veins of the pelvis in women are accompanied by a decrease in the tone of the vascular wall, weakening, a decrease in elasticity and the formation of ectasia - an increase in the lumen in the restricted area of the vein.
There are two forms of pelvic varicose veins:
- Varicose veins of the vagina and external genitalia (perineum)- characterized by changes in the structure of large venous vessels, as a result of which the external genital veins are affected. Often the cause is long-term pregnancy, in which compression of the inferior vena cava and iliac veins occurs by the growing uterus.
- Venous congestion syndrome- characterized by the expansion and stretching of the veins in the small pelvis and the return of blood through them. The causes of such reflux can be very diverse.
Stage of small pelvic varicose veins
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 the symptoms and the severity of the disease.
- First stage
Characterized by dilation of veins up to 5 mm in diameter. Vascular tone is reduced, and the mesh appears tortuous.
- Second stage
It is characterized by a decrease in the elasticity of the vascular bed in the pelvis. The diameter of the dilated vein is from 6 to 10 mm. Parametrial vessels and ovarian plexus are affected.
- Third stage
Characterized by total damage to vascular fibers. The diameter of the expansion exceeds 10 mm. Against the background of progressive varicose veins, a woman may experience complications.
Nature of development
According to the nature of occurrence and development, small pelvic varicose veins are classified:
- Main varicose veins of the pelvic veins in women
It is formed on the background of acquired or congenital valve pathology. Doctors usually talk about the lack of venous valves, which is accompanied by the appearance of vessels that are tortuous and overstretched. Often, the main cause of varicose veins is 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 illnesses. Infectious pathologies, tumor processes, pelvic endometriosis, and abnormal development of pelvic organs can affect vein tone.
Causes of the development of small pelvic varicose veins
Pathology of pelvic organ veins can develop for the following reasons:
- Ancestry. Often, vein disease in women is inherited. If a mother, grandmother, or aunt in the family has varicose veins, then the disease is likely to affect the next generation of women.
- Pelvic organ connective tissue dysplasia. 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 a lot. The growing uterus puts pressure on neighboring tissues and adjacent veins. With polyhydramnios, multiple pregnancies, large fetuses and other conditions, a woman may experience varicose veins.
- Overweight. With obesity in women, the 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 training. On the other hand, excessive physical activity can be an independent cause of small pelvic varicose veins. With a sedentary lifestyle, blood flow in the pelvis is disturbed, and the process of stagnation develops.
- Hormonal disorders. The work of the entire female body is completely subject to the level of hormones. Hormonal changes and taking hormonal drugs can cause a decrease in vascular tone.
Varicose veins on the lower legs are often accompanied by small pelvic varicose veins. If a woman has a tortuous duct in her leg, she should definitely undergo a pelvic exam and, if necessary, undergo treatment.
Risk factors
The risk of developing varicose veins in the small pelvis in women increases with the following factors:
- bad habits;
- overeating;
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and a tendency to constipation;
- lack of intimate life;
- difficult pregnancy;
- surgical intervention;
- pelvic organ injury;
- hormone treatment;
- strenuous physical activity.
Symptoms of pelvic organ varicose veins
Many women have no symptoms of pelvic varicose veins. The disease can exist for a long time without clinical manifestations. At the same time, pathology is dangerous because it develops imperceptibly, resulting in serious health problems.
Symptoms of small pelvic varicose veins in women may be similar to other gynecological pathologies. Therefore, when choosing treatment tactics, it is necessary to perform a differential diagnosis and exclude other diseases of the pelvic organs.
Common symptoms of small pelvic varicose veins:
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- abnormal uterine bleeding;
- discharge that has no connection with the menstrual cycle;
- a feeling of tension and the presence of a foreign body in the pelvis;
- lumbago in the sacrum, lower back, legs, perineum;
- bright premenstrual syndrome;
- severe 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 bluish veins that meander in the external genital area and in the vagina.
Diagnosis of varicose veins in the pelvis
An initial diagnosis can be made based on the patient's complaints and clinical examination. Visually, varicose veins look like cyanotic nodes and dilated vessels. Since pathological signs are often confused with other gynecological diseases, to clarify the diagnosis it is necessary to perform diagnostics:
- visual inspection of the external genitalia;
- examination of the vagina and cervix in a speculum;
- palpation and diagnosis of valve functionality in the groin area;
- Pelvic organ ultrasound;
- Doppler studies;
- CT scan;
- magnetic tomography;
- hysteroscopy;
- laparoscopy.
Treatment of small pelvic varicose veins
Treatment of pelvic varicose veins in women can be surgical, conservative or complex. Treatment methods are selected individually, according to 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 small pelvic varicose veins
For small pelvic varicose veins, the doctor chooses an individual drug treatment regimen. The following drugs are traditionally prescribed:
- Venotonic. Modern pharmacology offers many types of venotonics. The main task of the drug is to increase the elasticity of blood vessels, normalize blood flow, and stabilize valve function. Medicines can be used for internal use and in the form of ointments.
- Anticoagulants. These drugs are prescribed to thicken the blood due to pelvic varicose veins. These parameters are determined by laboratory tests. Blood thinners prevent the formation of blood clots and reduce blood thickness.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The drug is used for severe pain and as an additional drug for inflammatory processes. As a rule, NSAIDs have a symptomatic effect. They relieve the signs of varicose veins in the small pelvis, but do not solve the problem completely.
- Complex of vitamins 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. Surgery is also performed for severe forms of varicose veins.
A modern method of treating varicose veins is endovascular embolization of the gonadal duct. The procedure is performed in a hospital under general anesthesia. This operation involves inserting a coil that blocks the vessel using a catheter into the dilated vein. As a result, blood flow stops completely in the pathological area. It should be noted that the operation is safe from the point of view of danger to the circulatory system. Since the dilated veins themselves are pathological and can no longer 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 solving the problem of small pelvic varicose veins in 95% of cases. In the future, the woman is recommended to undergo lifelong prevention of vascular disease.
General recommendations for women with pelvic varicose veins
At any stage of treatment for varicose veins, as well as after the completion of corrective techniques, doctors recommend that women wear compression garments. After the operation, the period of use of the jersey is determined individually. Usually, in the first days after surgery, stockings are worn all the time. In the future, it is permissible to remove the compress during sleep.
Women with pelvic varicose veins are not recommended to engage in heavy sports or carry loads. Baths, saunas and hot showers should be completely avoided. Thermal procedures can worsen the course of varicose veins.
With varicose veins, special attention should be paid to weight. Being overweight can be a trigger for varicose veins. Therefore, it is important to stabilize the body weight and lead an active lifestyle.
Why are pelvic varicose veins dangerous for women?
Complications of varicose veins:
- thromboembolism;
- thrombophlebitis;
- vein thrombosis;
- hemorrhoids;
- hormonal imbalance;
- abnormal uterine bleeding;
- chronic pelvic pain;
- infertility.
Pregnancy and small pelvic varicose veins
Varicose veins are not usually the cause of infertility. Varicose veins may be an increased risk factor for women planning to become pregnant. It is impossible to say immediately how the expectant mother's body will behave. The uterus is the main organ for the unborn child. If the blood flow in the reproductive organs is interrupted or the blood circulation of the placenta is blocked, then there is a high risk of miscarriage or the formation of various disorders in the uterus.
Prevention of small pelvic varicose veins
There is no specific prevention of small pelvic varicose veins. Every woman is at risk of developing varicose veins. Therefore, everyone should follow simple rules:
- healthy lifestyle;
- good diet;
- obesity prevention;
- rejection of bad habits;
- moderate physical activity;
- drink enough fluids;
- refusal to wear high heels for a long time;
- rational approach to pregnancy planning and prevention of pregnancy complications;
- the use of compression garments with a high risk of varicose veins;
- regularly scheduled medical examinations.
If small pelvic varicose veins have been detected, then the doctor will give recommendations on how to prevent the development of the disease. As a rule, a woman is prescribed a venotonic course and wears a compression garment regularly.