Constant pain in the pelvic region in women is usually associated with circulatory problems in this plane. Latent enlargement of the pelvic veins is not uncommon. What is it and how to deal with it - let's consider this material!
As shown by medical statistics, more than half of middle-aged women experience recurrent lower abdominal pain. About half of all these cases are associated with circulatory disorders. This is manifested by blood stagnation and subsequent leakage of intercellular fluid into the pelvic cavity. Congestion leads to compression of the organ's soft tissues. This causes the development of pain syndrome. The cause of this pathological process is varicose veins in the small pelvis.
It usually starts to develop during pregnancy and then slowly progresses through a woman's life. Currently, there are no reliable data on the causes of this phenomenon and effective treatment methods.
development mechanism
In a normally functioning vein, blood flows in only one direction. Backflow is prevented by the valve system. In case the valves lose their integrity and elasticity, a gradual reverse flow of venous blood occurs. With a prolonged pathological process, this leads to constant blood stagnation. As a result, the vascular wall stretches and the vein cavity expands. It loses its bandwidth and capacity to compress when needed.
In the early stage, pain in this disease occurs due to the violation of the nerve endings that innervate the vascular walls of the venous bed.
Probable causes
Currently, science does not know the exact cause of this disease. Possible risk factors include the following.
- Physiology of pregnancy. During pregnancy, there is a significant increase in the volume of circulating blood. This leads to an increase in the pregnant woman's weight. It is believed that excess blood volume in combination with excess body weight contributes to the expansion of the venous bed. In the future, this causes congestion and damage to the venous valves.
- The action of estrogens. During pregnancy, large doses of estrogen hormones are constantly injected into a woman's body. They are necessary for the preservation and growth of the fetus. Estrogens reduce the risk of miscarriage by relaxing the muscles in the uterus. On the other hand, these substances negatively affect the contractility of blood vessels.
- Individual anatomical disorders. In some patients, individual anatomical features are revealed in relation to the small pelvic veins. Its location is, in principle, unfavorable for early pregnancy. Therefore, the start of fertilization in most cases leads to the development of venous insufficiency.
Is there a relationship between this condition and varicose veins in the lower limbs?
Varicose veins in the small pelvis are very similar to the state of varicose veins in the legs. In either case, the valves in the veins that help blood flow to the heart are affected. The function of the valves to prevent blood backflow is impaired. When the valves collapse, blood is stagnant in the veins. Veins that become engorged dilate and worsen congestion. Pelvic venous overload syndrome develops primarily near the uterus, fallopian tubes, vulva, and even the vagina. The condition is usually associated with weight gain, which is unavoidable 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 constant in nature and does not have a cyclical nature. Increased pain occurs:
- before menstruation starts;
- at the end of a hard day's work;
- after standing for a long time;
- during or immediately after intercourse;
- in the later stages of pregnancy.
All these symptoms are reason enough to see a phlebologist. This condition may be associated with a periodic increase in total body weight of 2 to 5 kg. This weight is mainly formed due to the leakage of fluid into the abdominal cavity of the small pelvis.
There are many other non-specific symptoms that appear with varying intensity. In general, symptoms are more likely to occur later in the day or after standing for a long time or even after intercourse. In some cases, the pain can be intense and affect personal and social relationships.
Signals can also include:
- swelling of the vulva and vagina;
- varicose veins of the external genitals, buttocks, legs;
- abnormal menstrual bleeding;
- pain when touching the lower abdomen;
- pain during intercourse;
- painful periods;
- backache;
- vaginal discharge;
- general weakness and apathy;
- feelings of depression and depression.
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 can have the same symptoms include:
- endometriosis;
- uterine fibroids;
- prolapse of the uterus (uterus sinks into the pelvis as a result of the weakness of the pelvic floor muscles).
Diagnosis and laboratory research
For a complete diagnosis of the presence of stagnation, laboratory tests are important. The woman is usually given a standard set of exams.
Ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs. This will help assess the condition of the uterus and other organs in the small pelvis. It can also help to 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.
Phlebogram. This test was widely used in the past to diagnose blood stagnation in the pelvic cavity, but today, if possible, the procedure is replaced by computed tomography. The test involves injecting a special dye into a vein in the groin and using X-rays. The procedure takes about 30-45 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis. The exam is painless, but there is a risk of developing an allergic reaction to the contrast. Furthermore, the possibility of exposure to radiation from Organs pelvic organs is not excluded.
Computed tomography is often used in diagnosing pelvic varices. This method allows you to visually examine the anatomy of the small pelvis and identify varicose veins in the small pelvis. This is due to radiation exposure and is not recommended as a test in pregnant women.
Magnetic resonance imaging is a very useful test for diagnosing pelvic congestion syndrome. Does not use radiation and contrast agent. This is a painless exam. Images are of excellent quality. It is the preferred method of choice for diagnosing most cases. The test takes about 15 minutes and is done on an outpatient basis.