Varicose veins of the uterus during pregnancy are quite rare and are considered a serious pathology. The disease is dangerous because it is quite difficult to diagnose it in a timely manner, since the symptoms are similar to many gynecological diseases. Only an experienced specialist will suspect varicose veins of the uterus while a woman is carrying a child, before characteristic signs of complications develop.
During pregnancy, women naturally increase their levels of the hormone progesterone, which causes the development of varicose veins. It has a direct effect on the blood vessels, causing them to expand, as a result of which the walls stretch and become much thinner. Therefore, the valves of the veins cannot ensure a complete outflow of blood, and it begins to stagnate.
But dilatation of the veins of the cervix can be caused by a completely opposite reason. The uterus is capable of not only receiving blood, but also giving it away. During pregnancy, blood flow increases tenfold. Due to various circumstances, the valves of the veins may no longer cope with such a load. The result also becomes stagnation of blood, dilation of veins and varicose veins.
Varicose veins are often caused by an enlarged uterus, which partially puts pressure on the ascending venous vessels. Also the cause of the disease during pregnancy are:
During pregnancy, the body has the ability to increase blood clotting, so it protects the woman from large blood loss during childbirth when the placenta is separated. This feature can cause the development of thrombosis if varicose veins have already begun to progress by that time.
Often, cervical varicose veins discovered during pregnancy could develop before pregnancy. In this case, the causes of the disease may be the following:
Taking hormonal medications can cause the development of varicose veins.
Such pathological processes in the uterus often develop together with varicose veins of the vagina, ovaries and lower extremities.
Often, having discovered manifestations of varicose veins, pregnant women hide this fact from the doctor and self-medicate. And this is extremely dangerous. Treatment without finding out the cause of the disease, making an accurate diagnosis and consulting a specialist can provoke serious complications, including premature birth and even death. Remember, for any manifestations of the disease, you should immediately consult a doctor.
A specialist who understands vascular pathologies is a phlebologist. Only he, together with the gynecologist, after identifying the reasons that provoked the disease, makes a decision on the appropriate method of combating varicose uterus. Throughout the entire period, the pregnant patient should be observed by a phlebologist.
Most often, full treatment of uterine varicose veins is postponed until the postpartum period. And the entire course of therapy comes down to eliminating clinical manifestations and preventing complications. Pregnant women are prescribed a special set of therapeutic exercises that help reduce pressure in the blood vessels. In addition, experts recommend lying with your legs elevated several times a day or taking long walks.
In order to stop the development of varicose veins during pregnancy, you should use compression garments. There are specially designed compression stockings that prevent blood from entering the deep veins into the superficial veins, reducing their stretching.
Wearing compression garments helps redistribute blood into undamaged vessels. This type of treatment significantly reduces the risk of blood clots in varicose veins. Compression hosiery should be used not only throughout pregnancy, but also for 2-3 months after delivery.
Pregnant women should eat more vegetables and fruits to prevent varicose veins.
A pregnant woman suffering from varicose veins should eat a diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, a woman should completely avoid drinking alcohol and smoking, if for some reason she has not yet done so.
With the onset of the second trimester, the phlebologist may decide to treat varicose veins of the uterus using drugs from the venotonic group. In case of a severe exacerbation of the disease, increased symptoms, or a high risk to the life of the fetus or the woman in labor, a cesarean section is prescribed.
If pregnancy itself is the cause of cervical varicose veins, then most often after childbirth all symptoms and manifestations disappear, and the woman simply forgets about it. But in some cases the disease continues to progress. Then the phlebologist can offer two treatment options: conservative and surgical.
Conservative treatment includes the use of drugs that thin the blood and improve its circulation. Patients are advised to continue wearing compression garments and do therapeutic exercises. If conservative therapy is ineffective, the doctor decides to perform surgery. There are many types of surgical treatment, and the choice depends on the development of the disease and the presence of certain complications.
Untimely treatment of varicose veins of the uterus during pregnancy or its complete absence can cause such serious consequences as thrombosis, thrombophlebitis and placental insufficiency in the fetus.
It is impossible to get rid of varicose veins forever by undergoing only one course of treatment. It will take a long time to fight this disease, thoroughly following all the doctor’s recommendations. But such even long-term therapy reduces the risk of possible complications to almost zero. Women who have previously had problems with veins should first consult a phlebologist before planning to conceive. It is easier to cure any vascular pathologies before pregnancy.
Uterine varicose veins are dilation of the veins of the reproductive organ. The disease in most cases develops during pregnancy and poses a certain danger to both the woman and the fetus. What can provoke varicose veins, and what methods are used to treat the pathology?
For a long time, varicose veins of the reproductive organs were classified as gynecological diseases, although in fact it is a fairly common vascular pathology. During pregnancy, the veins located in the pelvic area experience additional stress, which in most cases is the main reason for the disruption of their functioning. In addition, some changes in a pregnant woman’s body increase the likelihood of developing the disease.
Uterine varicose veins are more often diagnosed in women who have had abortions and inflammation of the female genital organs, have menstrual irregularities, and have used oral contraceptives for a long time.
Since dilated veins in the uterus have symptoms similar to many gynecological diseases, it is quite difficult to identify. The first sign that should cause concern to a woman is a dull aching pain of varying intensity in the lower abdomen. Sometimes they radiate to the lower back and sacrum. With varicose veins, pain may intensify after prolonged physical activity or prolonged stay in one position, after sexual intercourse.
Some symptoms may occur even before pregnancy. Thus, the disease may be indicated by discomfort before the onset of menstruation, an increase in the duration of the menstrual cycle (sometimes up to 50-60 days), and a change in the amount of discharge during menstruation.
To make an accurate diagnosis, the patient is recommended to undergo an examination, which includes biochemistry of urine and blood, tests to determine hormonal levels, ultrasound scanning of blood vessels and other laboratory and instrumental studies (Dopplerography, transvaginal echography, venography).
Varicose veins that are not detected in time are especially dangerous in the last months of pregnancy. In the absence of the necessary treatment, the disease can cause many serious complications that threaten the health of the woman and child, as well as the normal course of childbirth.
The consequences of varicose veins include:
The method by which childbirth will be carried out depends on the degree of development of uterine varicose veins, as well as the presence of complications. If the disease is not pronounced, the birth of the baby is allowed naturally.
Varicose veins in some women cause deformation of the birth canal and obstruction. The disease also increases the risk of blood vessels rupturing during labor and pushing the baby out. In such cases, birth takes place by caesarean section.
After diagnosis, therapy is carried out aimed at restoring blood flow, increasing the elasticity and strength of the veins of the uterus. Treatment is carried out under the constant supervision of a gynecologist and phlebologist. If the disease is detected during pregnancy, the blood supply to the placenta is additionally monitored.
First of all, non-drug therapeutic methods are used:
If drug therapy is necessary, the doctor may prescribe the following drugs: Phlebodia, Antistax, Detralex.
In particularly difficult cases, the patient may be recommended surgical treatment using one of the following methods:
If it is impossible to cure varicose veins and there is a high risk of life-threatening bleeding, a complete removal of the uterus is performed.