Persistent pelvic pain in women is often associated with circulatory problems in this area. Latent varicose veins are not uncommon. What is it and how to deal with it - we will look at in this article!
According to medical statistics, more than half of middle-aged women experience recurrent lower abdominal pain. About half of all these cases are related to circulatory disorders. This is manifested by stagnation of blood and subsequent outflow of intercellular fluid into the pelvic cavity. Congestion leads to compression of the soft tissues of the organs. This provokes the development of pain syndrome. The reason for this pathological process are varicose veins of the pelvis.
It usually begins to develop during pregnancy and then slowly progresses throughout a woman's life. There are currently no reliable data on the causes of this phenomenon and methods of effective treatment.
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 reverse flow of venous blood gradually develops. In the case of a prolonged pathological process, this leads to constant stagnation of the blood. As a result, the vessel wall dilates and the vein cavity dilates. It loses its bandwidth and ability to compress when needed.
In the initial stage, the pain in this disease occurs due to disruption of the nerve endings that innervate the vascular walls of the venous bed.
Probable causes
At present, 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 weight of the pregnant woman. Excess blood volume in combination with overweight is believed to contribute to the expansion of the venous bed. In the future, this provokes congestion and damage to the venous valves.
- The action of estrogen. During pregnancy, a woman's body constantly releases huge doses of estrogen hormones. They are necessary for the preservation and growth of the fetus. Estrogens reduce the risk of miscarriage by relaxing the muscles of the uterus. But on the other hand, these substances negatively affect the contractility of blood vessels.
- Individual anatomical disorders. In some patients, individual anatomical features of the pelvic veins are revealed. Their location is generally unfavorable for early pregnancy. Therefore, the onset of fertilization in most cases leads to the development of venous insufficiency.
Is there a connection between this condition and varicose veins of the lower extremities?
Varicose veins in the pelvis are very similar to the condition of varicose veins in the legs. In both cases, the valves in the veins are affected, which help blood flow to the heart. The function of the valves to prevent the return flow of blood is impaired. When the valves collapse, the blood stagnates in the veins. Filled veins stretch and worsen congestion. Pelvic venous congestion syndrome develops mainly near the uterus, fallopian tubes, vulva and even the vagina. The condition is usually associated with weight gain, which is inevitable during pregnancy.
Varicose veins are usually seen in women:
- between 20-45 years;
- 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 and not cyclical. Increased pain occurs:
- before the onset of menstruation;
- at the end of a hard day's work;
- after a long time on his feet;
- during or immediately after sexual intercourse;
- in the later stages of pregnancy.
All these symptoms are a good reason to visit a phlebologist. This condition can be associated with periodic increase in total body weight by 2-5 kg. This weight is formed mainly due to the outpouring of fluid in the abdominal cavity of the pelvis.
There are many other non-specific symptoms that occur with varying intensity. In general, symptoms are more likely to appear at the end of the day or after prolonged standing or even after intercourse. In some cases, the pain can be severe and affect personal and social relationships.
Signs may also include:
- swelling of the vulva and vagina;
- varicose veins of the external genitalia, buttocks, legs;
- unusual menstrual bleeding;
- soreness when touching the lower abdomen;
- pain during intercourse;
- painful periods;
- back pains;
- vaginal discharge;
- general weakness and apathy;
- feeling depressed and depressed.
In most cases, the presence of pelvic stasis syndrome is not obvious and the diagnosis can be made only after the exclusion of other diseases. Such disorders, which may have the same symptoms, include:
- endometriosis;
- uterine fibroids;
- uterine prolapse (the uterus sinks lower in the pelvis as a result of weak pelvic floor muscles).
Diagnosis and laboratory tests
Laboratory tests are important for a complete diagnosis of stagnation. A woman is usually assigned a standard set of examinations.
Ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs. This will help assess the condition of the uterus and other pelvic organs. It can also help visualize blood flow and the presence of varicose veins in the pelvis. The procedure is painless and takes about 30 minutes. Overall cheap and effective.
Phlebogram. This test has been widely used in the past to diagnose pelvic blood stasis, 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 then using X-rays. The procedure takes about 30-45 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis. The test is painless, but there is a risk of developing an allergic reaction to the contrast agent. The possibility of radiation exposure of the pelvic organs is also not ruled out.
Computed tomography is often used to diagnose varicose veins of the pelvis. This method allows you to visually examine the anatomy of the pelvis and identify varicose veins of the 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 in diagnosing pelvic congestion syndrome. Does not use radiation and contrast agent. This is a painless test. The images are of excellent quality. This is the preferred method of choice for diagnosing most cases. The test takes about 15 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis.