Varicose veins in our body can be localized not only on the legs. The pelvic area is another place where varicose veins can also be. Pathological conditions in which there are dilated veins in the small pelvis, as a rule, occur in women and are accompanied by periodic discomfort and pain in the lower abdomen. In men, small pelvic varicose veins are also found, but they are indicated mainly by the expansion of the spermatic cord veins (varicocele). The pathological process in these men may be accompanied by discomfort, heaviness in the scrotum, pain in intimacy.
According to statistics, small pelvic varicose veins, or as it is also called - chronic pelvic pain syndrome, occur mainly in young women - from 18 to 48 years. The number of patients with this disease increases several times with age. The statistics are disappointing. So, at the age of 18-19 years, small pelvic varicose veins are detected in 15-18% of women, and at the age of 48 their number increases to 70-80%.
Causes of pelvic varicose veins
The first reason is physical inactivity. It also includes the specificity of the patient’s work, "sedentary" or "standing" work. Due to a person’s long stay in orthostasis, venous outflow is disrupted and this leads to stagnation in the small pelvis. The valves in the pathologically dilated veins are no longer attached closely to each other, a gap is formed between the valve and the blood is drained downwards due to the force of gravity. In such veins, the blood thickens, and this in turn can lead to thrombosis.
The second reason is pregnancy. During pregnancy, the uterus increases in size, beginning to press down on the underlying veins. Also, during pregnancy, the hormonal background changes, the amount of blood circulating in the small pelvis increases.
But, to soothe women who are preparing for conception and pregnancy, such varicose veins do not pose a direct danger. With small pelvic varicose veins, childbirth is usually uncommon. Unpleasant moment - in 30-40% of pregnant women there is an enlargement of the vulvar and perineum veins. But we must remember that immediately after childbirth, these veins are significantly reduced, and after a year they disappear completely. After childbirth, small pelvic varicose veins remain in only 2-6% of patients.
The third reason is the presence of various types of gynecological pathology for the treatment of which hormone drugs are used.
The fourth reason is smoking. It is very dangerous to smoke while taking hormonal contraceptives. Smoking thickens the blood like hormonal contraceptives. Thus many absurd accidents are known in medicine, when smoking girls who take hormonal contraceptives die from thrombosis.
The fifth reason is obesity. With excess weight, the load on the ship increases significantly.
The sixth reason is the ecological conditions in residential areas, air pollution in the city, especially in large cities, increases the risk of developing varicose veins.
The main symptoms of small pelvic varicose veins
- painful menstruation;
- recurrent pain in the lower abdomen, as well as in the pelvic area, radiating to the sacrum, lower back, perineum;
- pain and discomfort in the vulva or vagina, during and after intimacy;
- excessive discharge of mucus from the vagina, usually in the second half of the menstrual cycle;
- expansion of the venous ducts visible in the genital area, in the groin. "Asterisk", "mesh" on the back and back of the thighs.
What to do if you have symptoms of pelvic varicose veins?
If you find all of the above in yourself, then do not delay a visit to the doctor, otherwise the complications may not make you wait long.
The first doctor you need to see is a gynecologist.
He will conduct the examination, appointing all the necessary examinations. All patients with suspected pelvic varicose veins underwent ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs.
To clarify the diagnosis, the patient is referred to a phlebologist. They perform a duplex ultrasound scan of the lower leg vein (USDG), which allows you to get a complete picture of venous outflow.
In difficult cases, the phlebologist may prescribe additional examination methods (CT, MRI or diagnostic laparoscopy). To establish an accurate diagnosis and determine the extent of the disease, this study is sufficient.
The degree of pelvic varicose veins is small
- 1 degree-small pelvic vein up to 5 mm in diameter (damage of any small pelvic vein plexus is noted), vessel travel already appears tortuous;
- 2 degrees - vein size is from 6 to 10 mm; varicose veins on ultrasound can be seen in both small pelvis, and can only affect the ovarian plexus, or the veins in the uterus, or the myometrial veins;
- Grade 3 is the number of small pelvic varicose veins, varicose veins have a diameter of more than 10 - 12 mm.
How to treat pelvic varicose veins?
Non -drug treatment
- Against hypodynamics. If the work is associated with prolonged sitting or standing, do warm -up after 1 - 1. 5 hours;
- Quit smoking, alcohol (especially if you are pregnant! );
- Wear compression underwear (stockings, tights) to increase venous outflow from the bottom of the foot;
- Wear comfortable shoes, avoid high heels;
- Diet (exclusion from salty, spicy, fried diets). Salty foods constantly retain fluid in the body, which leads to edema, increased blood pressure - thus the outflow of blood through the veins worsens. You need to include more fiber in your diet (fruits, vegetables, herbs);
- Contrast baths, (especially in the thighs, perineum, lower abdomen);
- Physiotherapy and breathing exercises.
Drug treatment
- Phlebotonics - to increase the tone of varicose veins, reduce its permeability;
- Horse chestnut extract - to relieve inflammation and swelling;
- Troxerutin - to increase blood outflow from varicose veins, improve vein tone, reduce inflammation and edema;
- Vitamin C - to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, reduce their fragility.
Venous gels and ointments are not used in the treatment of pelvic varicose veins because of the internal location of the affected veins.
Doctors recommend a mandatory combination of drug therapy with wearing compression socks (stockings, tights). During pregnancy, there are special requirements for compression garments.
Surgery
Surgical surgery is an extreme measure used when medical correction is impossible and ineffective, and the disease is highly advanced and can cause a number of complications.
Various techniques are used depending on the prevalence, location and diameter of the pathological vein. In cases when surgical intervention is required, the selection of the type of surgical assistance is individual, as it all depends on location and prevalence.