Most people have heard or know about diseases like varicose veins. However, not everyone knows that this pathological process affects not only the vessels in the legs, but can also affect the veins of the pelvic organs, which is especially important for women.
To counteract this disease, you first need to know what symptoms to look for. But it is also equally important to have an idea of what this type of varicose vein is, why it develops and also what are the ways to deal with it.
The essence of pathology
Varicose veins are a pathology in which there are several pathological changes in the vessels, external or internal. First, we are talking about deformation, which means expansion and elongation of the veins, but, in addition, there is a thinning of the vascular wall, as well as the development of insufficiency of the valve system. All of these factors lead to impaired blood circulation in the vascular bed, which results in blood stagnation and the collapse of the vessels themselves due to excessive pressure.
The pathology poses a minimal threat in the early stages, but as it progresses, the risk increases exponentially, especially when it comes to varicose veins in the pelvic region.
In such situations, the blood flow of the pelvic organs is disturbed, first of all, it threatens the functioning of the female genitals, as well as impaired reproductive functions.
Due to the stagnation of the pelvic veins affected by varicose veins, an excessive amount of blood accumulates, coming from the external and internal genital organs of the pelvis. In this case, the blood does not “go” well into the genital vein, a large master vessel. Due to stagnation, edema of internal organs and tissues occurs, an inflammatory process develops and so on.
As long as this form of varicose veins progresses, accompanied by strong and constant painful sensations, the development of various gynecological diseases, there is a real threat of infertility.
Causes of pelvic varices in women
First, it is important to understand that varicose veins in the small pelvis are mainly affected by women who have already reached puberty. The older you are, the more likely you are to develop this disease. If we make an analogy, according to the statistics, after 35 years, varicose veins are diagnosed with a probability of about 50%, while at 20 years of age that number barely reaches 20%. It is clear that predisposing factors play a very important role.
In general, the following reasons and factors for the development of varicose veins in the small pelvis can be distinguished:
- Genetics - congenital predisposition is a major cause of all types of varicose veins. It is not a question of the transmission of varicose veins, but of a congenital predisposition to the fragility of the valve system, which has been felt over the years. Dysplasia or thinning of vascular walls is also a genetic factor.
- Varicose veins often develop as a result of severe hormonal disorders. This can be hormonal disorder during menopause or hormonal problems caused by prolonged use of potent hormonal drugs.
- Pregnancy is the reason why women are more likely to develop all forms of varicose veins, especially the small pelvis. This factor is multifaceted, combining hormonal changes and increased loads, as a growing fetus increases the pressure exerted on the organs and vessels of the pelvic region.
- Excessive effort - with some probability, varicose veins of the small pelvis can develop if a woman is involved in heavy physical work, exposes herself to exhaustive training or simply spends a lot of time standing due to her professional activities (hairdressers, salespeople, surgeons, cooks). . . This can also include being overweight, because obesity leads to a constant increase in the load on the legs and pelvis, and cholesterol affects the state of the blood vessels.
- The medal also has a disadvantage: an excessively sedentary and sedentary lifestyle can also lead to varicose veins. The lack of an adequate level of mobility causes processes of stagnation in the pelvic region.
- Intimate problems, especially in relation to sex. It can be a long absence or systematic premature interruption of sexual intercourse, an inability to reach orgasm and so on.
- Various diseases of Organs genital and intrapelvic organs.
- Pathologies of the cardiovascular system and blood clotting, such as thrombosis.
Clinical picture
As mentioned earlier, pelvic varicose veins are not a serious threat in the early stages of development. At the same time, this form of pathology is very difficult to detect, since the main symptom of varicose veins is dilated veins, they are seen mainly in the legs, in the pelvic region, the vessels appear mainly in the later stages of development and not always.
However, the disease has some clinical signs that intensify with the progression of varicose veins. Consider the clinical picture of the pathology:
- Unpleasant and painful sensations in the lower abdomen. Initially, this symptom is unstable and vague, mild pain rarely disturbs, especially with great physical efforts during the day. The development of the disease leads to increased pain, they become intense, pulling on nature, they can be constant.
- Painful sensations during menstruation should be noted separately. They appear as menstruation approaches, the peak intensity usually falls within 1-2 days after menstruation. In this case, there may be scarcity or, on the contrary, an excess of secretions.
- The development of varicose veins in the small pelvis is accompanied by pain and discomfort during intercourse. As before, the pain is initially insignificant, but it intensifies as the disease progresses.
- The pathological process is accompanied by irregularities in the menstrual cycle, which is manifested not only in scarcity or abundance of discharge, there are delays in menstruation or an increase in the duration of bleeding.
- Itching, a burning sensation and swelling may appear in the vagina and external genitals. The external genitals and mucous membranes can change color; in later stages of development, cyanosis is present.
- In some cases, urination problems are observed, which are manifested in the inability to completely empty the bladder, pain when urinating and, sometimes, even urinary incontinence.
- In the final stages of the progression of varicose veins in the perineal region, as well as in the external genitals, veins appear. The vessels are protruding, convoluted, often forming vascular "stars".
- With severe development of varicose veins, uterine bleeding may begin, increasing the risk of decreased reproductive functions and the development of infertility.
Conservative approach to treatment
For a complete treatment of varicose veins of the small pelvis, the woman must follow all the doctor's recommendations, as well as change her lifestyle. First of all, it is necessary to pay attention to the loads, if they are excessively high, they need to be reduced, if the patient has an excessively sedentary lifestyle, it is necessary to practice sports, go for walks more frequently and so on.
Patients with varicose veins are strongly advised to adjust their diet, eat as little junk food (fried, smoked, sweet in large quantities, savory), alcohol and caffeine. It is better to give preference to vegetables and fruits, fermented dairy products, cereals.
In addition, as a preventive measure for disease progression and for therapeutic purposes, doctors prescribe the use of compressive briefs for patients with varicose veins.
Medical therapy
Despite the importance of the recommendations described above, drug therapy is still the basis of conservative treatment.
It is important to understand that all medicines, their dosage and duration of administration, are determined by the doctor.
Since the main objective is to normalize blood flow and maintain vascular health, treatment is based on drugs from the following groups:
- Venotonics - are responsible for toning blood vessels.
- Anticoagulants - reduce blood viscosity and prevent blood clots.
Traditional medicine
Traditional methods of treatment are not as effective, but in combination with drug therapy, they can significantly improve the patient's condition and have a positive effect on treatment in general. Among the popular methods, the following are especially effective:
- Application of horse chestnut to create special tinctures and creams.
- Application of apple cider vinegar for varicose veins.
- Decoctions of chamomile or larch.
It is important to understand that for the treatment of varicose veins of the small pelvis, in traditional medicine, predominantly recipes are used in which oral infusions and medicinal decoctions are consumed. This is because not all ointment, and even more a compress, can be used in the pelvic area.
Operative methods of treatment
It is important to recognize that conservative treatment methods give really visible results, especially in the early stages of varicose veins. At the same time, the problem can be fundamentally resolved and the disease can be completely eliminated by surgery alone. In modern medicine, there are many variations of surgical treatment of varicose veins, consider the most common and effective types of operations:
- Sclerotherapy- a special chemical composition is injected into the lumen of the affected vein, which has sclerosing, that is, bonding properties. As a result, the vein is glued, excluded from circulation and replaced by connective tissues.
- Laparoscopy- small punctures are made in the abdominal cavity, through which, with the help of surgical material, the ovarian vein is connected for further excision.
- Endovascular surgery- the surgeon arrives at the vessels affected by the femoral vein, after which, with special equipment, the ovarian vein is embolized.