Most people have heard or know of a disease such as varicose veins. However, not everyone knows that this pathological process not only affects the vessels of the legs, but can also affect the veins of the pelvic organs, which is especially important for women.
To counter this disease, you first need to know what symptoms to look for. But it is also just as important to have an idea of what this type of varicose veins 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 a number of pathological changes occur in the vessels, external or internal. First of all, we are talking about deformation, which means the expansion and lengthening of the veins, but in addition to this 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, as a result of which the blood stagnates, and the vessels themselves begin to collapse due to excessive pressure.
The pathology poses minimal threat in the early stages, but as it progresses the risk increases exponentially, especially when it comes to varicose veins in the pelvic area.
In such situations, the outflow of blood from the pelvic organs is disturbed, first of all it threatens the functioning of the female genitalia, as well as impaired reproductive functions.
Due to the stagnation of varicose veins affected by the pelvic veins, an excessive amount of blood accumulates, coming from the external and internal genitalia of the pelvis. In this case, the blood does not "go" well to the genital vein, a large, masterly vessel. Due to stagnation, edema of internal organs and tissues occurs, an inflammatory process develops, etc.
Provided that this form of varicose veins progresses, it is 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 of all, it is important to understand that varicose veins of the small pelvis are mainly affected by women who have reached puberty. The older the age, the higher the likelihood of developing this disease. If we make an analogy, according to statistics, after 35 years, varicose veins are diagnosed with a probability of about 50%, while at 20 years this figure barely reaches 20%. Of course, predisposing factors play a very important role.
In general, the following reasons and factors for the development of varicose veins of the small pelvis can be distinguished:
- Genetics - congenital predisposition is one of the main causes of all types of varicose veins. It is not about the transmission of varicose veins per se, but about a congenital predisposition to the weakness of the valve system, which is felt over the years. The genetic factor also includes dysplasia or thinning of the vascular walls.
- Very often varicose veins develop as a result of severe hormonal disturbances. It can be a hormonal disruption during menopause or hormonal issues caused by prolonged use of strong hormonal drugs.
- Pregnancy is the reason women are more likely to develop all forms of varicose veins, especially the small pelvis. This factor is multifaceted, it combines both hormonal changes and increased burdens, because a growing fetus increases the pressure on the organs and vessels of the pelvic region.
- Excessive exertion - with a certain probability, varicose veins of the small pelvis can develop if a woman is engaged in heavy physical labor, is exposed to strenuous workouts, or simply spends a lot of time standing due to her work activities(hairdressers, salesmen, surgeons, cooks). . . It can also include being overweight, as obesity causes a constant increase in the load on the legs and pelvis, and cholesterol affects the condition of the blood vessels.
- The downside too, too sedentary and sedentary lifestyle can also lead to varicose veins. The lack of the correct level of mobility causes stagnant processes in the pelvic region.
- Intimate problems, mainly related to sex. It can be a long absence or systematic premature interruption of intercourse, an inability to reach orgasm, etc.
- Various diseases of the genital and intrapelvic organs.
- Pathologies of the cardiovascular system and blood coagulation, 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 an enlargement of the veins, it is visible mainly on the legs, in the pelvic region, the vessels appear mainly in the later stages of development andnot always.
However, the disease does have some clinical signs and they get worse as the varicose veins progress. 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 bothers, mainly with heavy physical exertion during the day. The development of the disease leads to increased pain, they become intense, pulling in nature, can be constant.
- Painful sensations during menstruation should be noted separately. They appear as menstruation approaches, the maximum intensity usually falls on 1-2 days of menstruation. In this case, there may be a scarcity or, conversely, an excessive abundance 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 mild, but increases as the disease progresses.
- The pathological process is accompanied by irregularities in the menstrual cycle, this manifests itself not only in the scarcity or abundance of discharge, there are delays in menstruation or an increase in the duration of bleeding.
- Itching, burning, swelling may appear in the vagina and on the external genitals. The external genitals and mucous membranes may change color; in the later stages of development cyanosis is present.
- In some cases, problems with urination are noted, which manifests as an inability to completely empty the bladder, pain when urinating and sometimes even urinary incontinence.
- In the later stages of the progression of varicose veins in the perineal region, as well as on the external genitalia, veins appear. The vessels are lumpy, convoluted and often form vascular "stars".
- With the severe development of varicose veins, uterine bleeding may begin, the risk of impaired reproductive functions, the development of infertility increases.
Conservative approach to treatment
For comprehensive treatment of varicose veins of the small pelvis, a woman should follow all the doctor's recommendations, as well as change her lifestyle. First of all, you need to pay attention to the loads, if they are excessively high, they should be reduced, if the patient leads an excessively sedentary life, it is necessary to play sports, take a walk more often, etc.
Patients suffering from varicose veins are strongly advised to adjust their diet, to consume as little junk food (fried, smoked, sweet in large quantities, salty), alcohol, caffeine as possible. It is better to give preference to vegetables and fruits, fermented dairy products, cereals.
Also, as a preventive measure of the progression of the disease and for therapeutic purposes, doctors prescribe the wearing of compression underwear for patients with varicose veins.
Drug treatment
Despite the importance of the recommendations described above, pharmacotherapy remains 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 goal is to normalize blood circulation 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 the treatment in general. Among the popular methods, the following are particularly 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, mainly recipes are used in which medicinal decoctions and infusions are consumed orally. This is due to the fact that not all ointments, and more so compresses, can be used in the pelvic area.
Operative methods of treatment
It should be recognized that conservative methods of treatment give really noticeable results mainly in the initial stages of varicose veins. At the same time, the problem can be fundamentally solved, and the disease can only be completely eliminated with surgery. In modern medicine, there are many variations of the 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, sticky properties. As a result, the vein is stuck together, thus excluded from circulation and replaced by connective tissue.
- Laparoscopy- small punctures are made in the abdominal cavity, through which, with the help of surgical equipment, the ovarian vein is ligated for subsequent excision.
- Endovascular surgery- the surgeon reaches the affected vessels by the femoral vein, after which, with the help of special equipment, the ovarian vein is embolized.