Persistent pain in the pelvic area in women is often 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 - we will consider in this material!
As shown by medical statistics, more than half of middle -aged women experience recurrent pain in the lower abdomen. About half of all these cases are associated with circulatory disorders. This is indicated by blood stasis and the subsequent flow of fluid between cells into the pelvic cavity. Congestion leads to compression of the soft tissues of the organ. This leads to the development of pain syndrome. The cause of this pathological process is a small pelvic varicose vein.
It usually begins to develop during pregnancy and then slowly develops throughout a woman’s life. Currently, there are no reliable data on the causes of this phenomenon and effective treatment methods.
Development mechanism
In normally functioning veins, blood flows in only one direction. Backflow is blocked by the valve system. If the valve loses its integrity and elasticity, venous blood backflow gradually expands. With a prolonged pathological process, this leads to persistent blood stasis. As a result, the vascular wall stretches and the venous cavity expands. It loses bandwidth and the ability to compress when needed.
In the early stages, pain in the disease occurs due to violation of the nerve endings that invade the vascular wall of the venous bed.
Probable cause
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 amount of blood circulating. This leads to weight gain in pregnant women. It is believed that excessive blood volume in combination with excess weight contributes to the expansion of the venous bed. In the future, this causes congestion and damage to the venous valves.
- Estrogen action. During pregnancy, large doses of the hormone estrogen are constantly excreted into a woman’s body. They are needed for the maintenance and growth of the fetus. Estrogen reduces the risk of miscarriage by relaxing the muscles in the uterus. But on the other hand, these substances have a negative effect on the contraction of blood vessels.
- Disorders of individual anatomy. In some patients, individual anatomical features are revealed in relation to the small pelvic veins. Their location, in principle, is not suitable for the beginning of pregnancy. Thus, the onset of fertilization in most cases leads to the development of venous insufficiency.
Is there a link between this condition and varicose veins on the lower leg?
Varicose veins in the small pelvis are very similar to the condition of varicose veins in the legs. In both cases, the valves in the veins that help blood flow to the heart are affected. The function of the valve to prevent the return flow of blood is disrupted. When the valve collapses, blood stagnates in the veins. The veins that become enlarged stretch and make the congestion worse. Pelvic venous overload syndrome develops mainly near the uterus, fallopian tubes, vulva, and even the vagina. This 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 pregnancies.
What are the signs and symptoms?
The most common complaint for injured women is varying degrees of pain. Pain syndrome is of a constant nature and has no cyclical nature. Increased pain occurs:
- before the onset of menstruation;
- at the end of a hard day at work;
- after being on your feet for a long time;
- during or immediately after sexual intercourse;
- in the late stages of pregnancy.
All of these symptoms are reason enough to see a phlebologist. This condition may be associated with a periodic increase in total body weight of 2-5 kg. This weight is formed mainly due to the flow of fluid into the small pelvic abdominal cavity.
There are many other non-specific symptoms that appear with varying intensity. Generally, symptoms are more likely to occur at the end of the day or after prolonged standing or after sexual intercourse. In some cases, the pain can be severe and affect personal and social relationships.
Symptoms may also include:
- swelling of the vulva and vagina;
- varicose veins external genitalia, back, legs;
- abnormal menstrual bleeding;
- pain when touching the lower abdomen;
- pain during intercourse;
- painful menstruation;
- backache;
- whiteness;
- general weakness and apathy;
- feelings of depression and melancholy.
In most cases, the presence of pelvic stasis syndrome is unclear, and a diagnosis can only be made after excluding other diseases. Similar disorders that can have similar symptoms include:
- endometriosis;
- uterine fibroids;
- uterine prolapse (the uterus sinks lower into the pelvis, as a result of weak pelvic floor muscles).
Diagnostics and laboratory research
For a complete diagnosis of the presence of stagnation, laboratory testing is essential. A woman is usually given a set of standardized exams.
Ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs. It will help assess the condition of the uterus and other organs of the small pelvis. It can also help describe 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 stasis in the pelvic cavity, but today, if possible, the procedure is replaced with computed tomography. The test involves injecting a special dye into a vein in the groin and then using X-rays. This procedure takes about 30-45 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis. The examination is not painful, however, there is a risk of developing an allergic reaction to the contrast agent. Also, the possibility of radiation exposure of the pelvic organs is not excluded.
Computed tomography is often used in the diagnosis of pelvic varicose veins. This method allows you to visually examine the anatomy of the small pelvis and identify small pelvic varicose veins. This is due to radiation exposure and is not recommended as a test in pregnant women.
Magnetic resonance imaging is a very useful test in the diagnosis of pelvic congestion syndrome. It does not use radiation and contrast agents. This is a painless examination. The image is of excellent quality. It is the preferred method of choice for diagnosing most cases. The test takes about 15 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis.