Spider veins on the legs and bulging dilated veins, swelling, a feeling of fatigue and heaviness in the legs are all clear signs of varicose veins. Of course, not only those who carried a baby suffer from it, but the overwhelming number of women - from 70 to 90% - associate its appearance with pregnancy. At least every fifth expectant mother notes some manifestations of varicose veins.
Varicose veins are the lengthening and expansion of veins. The legs are mainly affected, although varicose veins also occur in other parts of the body. With this disease, the structure of the vascular wall changes and irreversible changes occur in the valve apparatus, which ensures the movement of blood through the veins towards the heart. In pregnant women, the hormonal background becomes different; the amount of estrogen decreases with a simultaneous increase in progesterone and relaxin, which have a relaxing effect on the muscular wall of the veins, which is why it is constantly not in good shape.
This does not happen to all expectant mothers. Hormonal imbalance even before conception plays a certain role. In addition, important factors contributing to the onset and progression of the disease during pregnancy are an increase in the mass of circulating blood, an increase in venous pressure, and a slowdown in blood flow in the lower extremities. Sometimes the development of varicose veins in pregnant women is facilitated by a low location or placenta previa.
Varicose veins manifest themselves differently depending on the form and stage of the disease. Problems can spread not only to the lower extremities, but also to the external genitalia, vagina, rectum, pelvic organs, skin of the abdomen, mammary glands and buttocks. In this case, doctors distinguish two forms of the disease: uncomplicated and complicated (with bleeding, thrombophlebitis of the saphenous veins, acute deep vein thrombosis, allergic dermatitis, eczema, drug allergies, erysipelas, varicose ulcers).
Most often, patients complain of pain in the legs, fatigue when walking, heaviness in the legs and swelling. Varicose veins, which appeared at the beginning of pregnancy, are constantly progressing, and the condition of the expectant mother naturally worsens. What happens? The saphenous veins of the lower extremities literally shine through under the skin, their tense walls are visible even to a layman. Due to poor circulation, areas with reduced skin sensitivity (parestension) form in some places, and problems with venous outflow from the muscles lead to cramps. About 4% of women suffer from dilated veins in the labia, vagina and groin. In this case, the disease is accompanied by pain and a feeling of fullness in the genital area.
Diagnosis of this disease usually does not cause any difficulties. In most cases, it is enough for the doctor to collect anamnesis and observe the patient for some time. If it is necessary to clarify the nature of the disease, the specialist may suggest additional studies. Thus, hemodynamic functional tests make it possible to determine which veins are affected - deep or superficial, and a comprehensive ultrasound examination, including angioscanning and Dopplerography, allows you to evaluate the vessels and blood flow in them using ultrasound. These methods are necessary to prescribe the correct treatment.
Indeed, varicose veins, like almost any other disease, can be treated, especially at the initial stage. There are three main tactics: conservative, injection-sclerosing and surgical. And only a phlebologist, after assessing the patient’s condition, can make a verdict on which method should be used in each specific case.
The information below will certainly please expectant mothers: since after childbirth the expansion of the saphenous veins either significantly decreases or disappears altogether, surgery is unlikely to be required. Especially if you follow all the specialist’s recommendations.
Your doctor will likely advise you to periodically lie in a horizontal position with your legs elevated and maintain elastic compression through the use of elastic bandages, stockings, or tights. This will help compress the saphenous veins, reduce congestion and increase the speed of blood flow by 3–5 times. By the way, compression hosiery can and should be used as not only a therapeutic, but also a preventive measure. Therefore, even those women who do not experience visible problems with veins should visit a phlebologist before or shortly after conception, who will tell you how to choose the right “clothes for your legs.”
Of course, elastic compression is far from the only way an expectant mother can help herself. Physical therapy and self-massage are very effective, especially in combination with a proper daily routine, alternating work and rest, as well as a diet aimed at preventing constipation.
Medications can also reduce the problem. They should be purchased only after consultation with a specialist who will select a medicine that will not harm the baby and his mother. Most often, to increase vascular tone, agents are prescribed that normalize capillary permeability and reduce platelet aggregation. This leads to a reduction in pain and swelling, the disappearance of cramps, and normalization of skin sensitivity. Such drugs include Glivenol, Venoruton, Aescusan, Troxevasin, Ginkor Forte, Detralex. However, in the first trimester, special care should be taken when taking Glivenol and Venoruton, and Detralex is contraindicated during breastfeeding. In addition to the listed medications, during pregnancy, patients are prescribed vitamins, especially C and PP, as well as calcium supplements.
Injection-sclerosing therapy (injection of a sclerosing solution into the vessels, which closes the lumen of the vessel) is usually not used during pregnancy. The question of surgical intervention is raised only in cases of pronounced dilation of the veins, accompanied by insufficiency of the venous valves.
Varicose veins in themselves are not a contraindication for maintaining and carrying a pregnancy. The most important thing is to prevent possible thrombotic and thromboembolic complications in a timely manner.
Thrombosis (closing the lumen of a vessel with a blood clot) of deep veins and pulmonary embolism (closing the lumen of the pulmonary artery with a blood clot) are observed 5-6 times more often in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women, and after childbirth - 3-6 times more often than before childbirth. The causes of this complication are a slowdown in the speed of blood flow, damage to the vessel wall from the inside, or a change in the composition of the blood (increased blood clotting).
The risk of thrombosis is higher during complicated childbirth and cesarean section, since in these cases a biologically active substance that triggers the blood clotting mechanism enters the bloodstream from the tissues.
The main symptom of deep vein thrombosis is pain that occurs in the calf muscles, in the popliteal fossa, in the thigh or in the groin, that is, where large vessels pass. The affected limb increases in volume, the color of the skin changes, and a local increase in its temperature is noted. Against the background of thrombosis, thrombophlebitis (inflammation) of the superficial veins can occur, as well as such a serious complication as pulmonary embolism (PE) - a blood clot entering the branches of the pulmonary arteries.
For diagnosis, ultrasound examination of the vessels of the lower extremities is used, including Dopplerography (study of blood flow in the vessels). If necessary, X-ray examination methods are used.
The question of the possibility of continuing pregnancy is decided depending on the severity of the complication, the characteristics of the course of pregnancy and its duration. Delivery is carried out both through the natural birth canal and through cesarean section. The tactics are chosen by the doctor observing the patient.
In case of uncomplicated varicose veins, preference is given to spontaneous childbirth whenever possible. In order to prevent the backflow of blood into the veins during pushing, the woman in labor necessarily requires elastic bandaging of both legs or the use of special compression garments. Expectant mothers undergo tests to clarify the state of the blood coagulation system. If there is a tendency to hypercoagulation (increased coagulation), drugs are prescribed to correct it and agents that reduce platelet aggregation.
In the postpartum period, you need to start getting up as early as possible. Young mothers are prescribed physical therapy and mandatory elastic compression of both legs. In case of surgical delivery and the presence of pronounced changes in the blood coagulation system, medication continues to be taken. After the examination, the doctor decides whether surgery is necessary.
A huge number of women suffer from varicose veins during pregnancy. This happens for various reasons, but most often due to the fact that a woman’s body weight increases, the amount of fluid is added many times over, which in turn leads to increased pressure on the vessels. All these changes are quite unpleasant. But these phenomena can be successfully combated with the help of compression garments or an elastic bandage. Ointments are prescribed to relieve inflammation and swelling. To reduce the load on your legs, you need to make sure that your legs are in an elevated position as often as possible during rest, it is advisable to sleep with your legs on a bolster or pillow, and you need to watch TV with your legs on a chair or ottoman. And of course, special gymnastics will disperse stagnant blood and help preserve the beauty and charm of this difficult period.
Varicose veins can not only have a negative impact on the condition of the lower extremities, but can also pose a choice: to give birth naturally or by cesarean section. You need to take all the necessary tests for blood clotting and find out the prerequisites for thrombosis. If the condition of your legs allows it, you do not have the last stage of varicose veins, and there are no complications, then natural childbirth is indicated for you. During childbirth, the woman's legs are wrapped in elastic bandages or compression tights are worn to protect the already strained veins from excess blood. Read more about compression garments.
Enlarged veins in the legs are not the worst case. Quite often, dilatation of the veins in the pelvic organs is also found, which is usually detected during an ultrasound examination. And here we have to decide whether surgical intervention can be avoided. Read more about varicose veins of the pelvis in our article.
Surgery is resorted to if the pregnancy has complications and spontaneous childbirth looks dangerous. It’s very good when all the troubles are detected in advance.
The consequences of varicose veins in the pelvic organs can be the most unpleasant. Due to increased intravascular pressure, blood clots can form and even vein rupture occurs. Therefore, if complications are detected in the form of inflammatory processes on the surface of the veins or if the veins are dilated in the vagina or groin, then in most cases, the doctor prescribes a cesarean section. In the same way, on the day when the operation will be performed, the woman in labor is dressed in compression garments or elastic bandages. Medicines are administered to thin the blood and prevent the formation of blood clots.
Particular care is required when giving birth to women in labor with this disease in the pelvic organs, occurring naturally, because there is a very high probability of bleeding due to injury to varicose nodes at the time of birth of the head. An experienced doctor, while pushing, using the palm of his hand and a sterile diaper, very carefully tries to squeeze the varicose tissues to avoid increasing their filling with blood.
If a vein affected by varicose veins does rupture, then heavy bleeding is observed after the birth of the child. A thorough examination is immediately carried out, the wounds are sutured, ruptured vessels are found and bandaged with catgut. A condom with ice is placed inside.
In addition to the obstetrician-gynecologist, a woman diagnosed with varicose veins must be observed by a phlebologist. He will help with the correct treatment, which will help restore the woman’s body in such a difficult postpartum period.
In most cases, the veins return to normal, and the disease may recede, but the identified problems should alert the woman and force her to more carefully monitor the condition of the veins.
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Varicose veins of the pelvis are a chronic disease in women of reproductive age, which is characterized by severe pain in the pelvic area.
Varicose veins of the small pelvis occur without symptoms and signs that give signals for examination. Therefore, most women seek help when the disease has already progressed.
In such cases, women are forced to seek treatment due to pain in the lower abdomen. Discomfort may occur in the perineum and lower back. Such pain usually occurs with prolonged standing, sexual intercourse, and hypothermia.
The pain is often aching in nature. It occurs suddenly and gradually subsides at rest in a horizontal position. Women begin to experience severe discomfort, which leads to moral and physical disorders. The progression of varicose veins subsequently leads to disability.
Consequences of pelvic vein disease:
Scientists identify two factors as the origin of varicose veins of the pelvis:
Risk factors for the disease are: inflammatory diseases of the internal genitalia, age, gynecological diseases, physical activity, pregnancy and childbirth, sedentary work, taking hormonal medications. Often, pelvic varicose veins occur together with gynecological diseases, which makes it difficult to quickly diagnose.
Modern medicine has a huge number of means for studying veins and blood vessels. To identify disorders of venous hemodynamics in the pelvic organs, it is enough to use duplex scanning.
Ultrasound examinations are carried out not only to identify varicose veins of the pelvis, but also to evaluate the treatment performed. Detection of vascular transformation in the initial stages of varicose veins allows us to prescribe timely methods of prevention and treatment.
Additional research methods are prescribed: tests, echography, Doppler ultrasound, etc.
Diagnosis of the veins and vessels of the small pelvis in women allows you to assess: the degree of development of the disease, diagnose the vascular system, assess the movement of blood flow, analyze data about the wall of the vein and its lumen.
After a diagnosis of varicose veins of the small pelvis is made, treatment should be prescribed by a phlebologist (vascular surgeon). The doctor selects individual treatment for each patient, depending on the stage of the disease and the condition of the body.
In the initial stages of the disease (grade 1-2), conservative treatment is prescribed. The main thing in this treatment is to prevent varicose veins and eliminate complications.
The doctor prescribes venotonic drugs (detralex, phlebodia 600, venarus). Venotonics reduce congestion in the veins, increasing their tone.
For example, the drug phlebodia 600 is very often recommended by specialists in the treatment of pelvic varicose veins. It is recommended to take the drug 1 tablet once a day for two months.
Diosmin, which is contained in the drug, very well relieves swelling and inflammation. After taking phlebodia, improvements in microcirculation and a decrease in stagnation in the veins were recorded.
In addition to taking venotonics to treat the disease, the patient’s lifestyle is very important. You need to lead an active, varied life. In addition to physical therapy, which is included in the mandatory treatment methods, you need to move more.
Another main aspect in the treatment of pelvic varicose veins is wearing therapeutic compression garments for women.
Especially during pregnancy and childbirth. Preventive compression garments can be purchased at your discretion, but therapeutic knitwear is prescribed by a phlebologist individually to each patient. The specialist, analyzing the studies and taking an anamnesis, prescribes the degree of compression of the underwear.
After taking measurements, compression hosiery can be purchased at any orthopedic salon. Therapeutic knitwear correctly distributes pressure throughout the entire limb, which eliminates stagnation and deformation of veins and blood vessels.
As additional remedies, you can use creams and gels for varicose veins. The gel relieves swelling very well, and the ointment eliminates pain syndromes.
If chronic pelvic vein disease has progressed to an advanced stage, when conservative treatment methods do not help, surgery cannot be avoided.
Among the operations most often used: laparoscopy, miniphlebectomy, venectomy.
The choice of surgery depends on each individual patient's case. The doctor makes a decision based on an analysis of studies and the general condition of the patient.
Surgeries for varicose veins of the small pelvis are performed in rare cases. More often they resort to transcatheter embolization of the ovarian veins. An absolute recommendation for surgical treatment is varicose veins of the ovarian veins, ovaricovaricocele.
Among the folk methods of treating pelvic veins are: herbal medicine, baths of medicinal plants, horse chestnut ointments, rubbing with apple cider vinegar.
Varicose veins disappeared in 1 week and do not appear again
Unfortunately, varicose veins sometimes affect not only visually noticeable areas of the body, where they can be quickly detected and treated immediately. In women, there is also a “hidden” pathology that covers the area of the pelvic veins, which occurs quite often and begins at a fairly young age. This disease can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms and can have serious consequences if left untreated. Varicose veins of the pelvis require the intervention of doctors of various specialties, and only an integrated approach and attentive attitude of the patient to her own health can guarantee success in recovery.
Drainage of the pelvis is carried out through the uterine veins, which flow into the hypogastric vein, which has valves. Also in the small pelvis there are ovarian veins with a partial valve system, and these vessels flow into the inferior vena cava on the right and into the renal vein on the left. Through the pelvic veins, the vessels of the uterus are connected to the small veins of the labia, rectum, anus, and perineum. The outflow of blood from the pelvic veins is regulated by changes in pressure in the peritoneum, the vasoconstrictor tone of the veins themselves and other mechanisms. The speed of blood flow is controlled by valves that balance the pressure in all vascular sections.
The venous system of the internal organs of the pelvis and the perineal veins, like other vessels, is subject to various pathological changes. The condition of the venous wall is affected by hormonal disorders, the use of certain medications, inflammatory diseases and many other factors. All of them in combination, in combination with the “backward traction” of the uterine ligaments, can lead to pathological dilatation of blood vessels, resulting in the development of a disease - pelvic varicose veins, or pelvic varicose veins (PVVV).
Internal varicose veins are always problematic in diagnosis. Typically, a woman with this pathology seeks help from a doctor about pain in the lower abdomen. Since the causes of this condition are varied, it is often very difficult to quickly establish a diagnosis. The disease can masquerade as gynecological, urological, surgical and even orthopedic problems. The prevalence of ARVMT is quite wide: in young girls, even before childbirth and pregnancy, the disease occurs in 19% of cases, and in menopausal women the figure can reach 80%. Most often, the disease debuts with clinical manifestations during pregnancy (up to 30% of cases). In this case, we are talking mainly about varicocele in women - dilation of the ovarian veins (more than 80%). The vessels of the broad ligament of the uterus disrupt their function in only 1% of situations. Sometimes hip varicose veins and varicose veins in the buttock area are observed, that is, the pathology extends beyond the pelvis.
HRVMT can exist in two forms:
This classification is rather arbitrary, since in half of the cases one variant of the course of the disease is initially observed, which is later supplemented by a second.
HRVMT is dangerous due to its harmful consequences. Stagnation of blood in the vessels leads to infertility, recurrent miscarriage, and deterioration in the functioning of the uterus and ovaries. In addition, this disease almost always causes the development of varicose veins in other locations, as well as hemorrhoids. A woman suffers from pain during sexual intercourse, sleep disturbances, and performance disorders. There are also inflammatory pathologies of the uterus, dysfunctional bleeding from the uterus, diseases of the appendages, and bladder. The most serious complication of the disease is thrombosis and phlebitis of the pelvic veins with the risk of thrombus separation.
In women, the veins of the small pelvis can be dilated for various reasons. There are two main reasons:
The immediate prerequisites for a woman to begin to develop such pathological phenomena may be:
In general, varicoceles in women are most often detected during pregnancy, and after childbirth, some dilated veins may undergo reverse involution. However, susceptibility to developing the disease causes its symptoms to progress slowly with age.
It is believed that the elasticity of the veins is negatively affected by an increase in the hormone progesterone in the blood, which causes dysfunction of smooth muscle cells. Compression by the enlarged uterus cannot but affect the pelvic veins, which is why so many pregnant women are faced with the problem of URVMT.
Risk factors for the development of pelvic varicose veins are family history, multiple pregnancies, abortions, hormonal contraception and HRT. In a certain way, the condition of the pelvic veins is also affected by unfavorable ecology in the place of residence, teratogenic effects during gestation, physical inactivity, work in a standing or sitting position, physical labor, and various sexual dysfunctions. Women who have highly elevated levels of estrogen in the body and suffer from other hormonal diseases are also at risk.
Usually, when the disease starts in adolescence, it does not cause any pathological symptoms. The girl feels fine, but changes in the pelvic veins can be detected by chance when using detailed examination methods. In some adolescents with varicocele, the only sign of the disease may be profuse mucous discharge from the vagina, due to which several courses of treatment for non-existent colpitis are sometimes carried out.
The most characteristic clinical sign of ARVMT, which appears after reaching reproductive age, is pain (present in more than 95% of patients). It bothers a woman constantly or periodically, but throughout her life, becoming especially pronounced during menopause. Usually the pain becomes stronger in the second phase of the cycle, after ovulation. It appears in the lower abdomen, radiates to the sacrum, lower back, and can be acute or aching.
Other possible symptoms of pelvic varicose veins:
Since similar symptoms are observed in many gynecological diseases, including uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and uterine prolapse, diagnosis must be thorough and include differentiation of URVMT with these problems.
In case of prolonged pain in the lower abdomen, the gynecologist to whom the woman turns must necessarily refer her to an angiosurgeon or phlebologist to rule out varicose veins of the small pelvis. In general, the system of examining patients with similar symptoms first includes a complete gynecological examination, as well as an assessment of general clinical health indicators.
After “superficial” problems are found or excluded, screening studies of the venous system are carried out:
Already at this stage it is possible to identify the pathology of the venous system. During a vaginal examination, presumptive signs of the disease are detected - discomfort on palpation of the pelvic walls, palpable vein nodules, pallor, cyanosis of the vagina. During ultrasound with Doppler sonography, organic disorders can be detected already at the preclinical stage, including in adolescents. This method is now the “gold standard” for diagnosing varicose veins of the small pelvis, as it allows you to see an increase in the diameter of the veins of this anatomical zone and a decrease in the peak velocity of blood flow in the veins.
In some complex cases, a diagnosis can only be made after an invasive examination. This may require:
These methods make it possible to find out the exact state of the pelvic venous system, assess the efficiency of the valves, detect the presence of blood clots, study the features of the venous and arteriovenous plexuses, etc. But these techniques are quite difficult to perform, so they are carried out only in the absence of the necessary data from ultrasound or MRI, CT. After confirming the diagnosis, the doctor determines the degree of expansion of the pelvic veins:
The goals of therapy for this pathology are as follows:
In order to achieve these goals, it is necessary to treat ARVMT in women in different ways depending on the stage of the disease. At the first and second stages, healing is possible by taking venotonics for varicose veins, special nutrition, exercise, and other conservative remedies and methods. The third stage of varicocele is treated using surgical methods. For varicose veins of the pelvis, non-drug treatment measures are very important, which are selected by a phlebologist or vascular surgeon and may include the following measures:
The patient is required to undergo gymnastics. By and large, it should almost always be done in a lying position. The exercises that gymnastics should include are the well-known “bicycle”, “birch”, “scissors”, which almost do not load the lower back, but force the legs to work, thereby improving the outflow of blood from the pelvis. The patient will also benefit from walking in a circle with high elevation of the knees, hips, and swimming, but only in moderation and in consultation with the doctor.
Medications and other means for the treatment of varicose veins may be as follows:
Drug therapy should be used in courses, and the part of it, which is aimed at pain relief in the lower abdomen, should be used only in the acute period, as needed.
But treatment with folk remedies can be carried out more often, and if the doctor approves, such “drugs” will not cause harm. The following remedies have a positive effect on varicose veins of the pelvis:
Persistence of pain and progression of the disease is an indication for surgical treatment. It is optimal to perform embolization of ovarian veins under angiographic control using the introduction of sclerosing agents or an embolizing coil. There are other types of operations that can be performed for varicose veins of the pelvic veins in women:
Unfortunately, even after surgery, re-development of the disease is possible, moreover, it can cause complications, so the indications for intervention must be clear and unambiguous.
If a pathology is detected in an expectant mother during an ultrasound, then treatment during gestation is carried out in a gentle manner. Without fail, a woman begins to wear compression hosiery or apply elastic bandages to her legs. Permitted venotonics are also prescribed, in particular, the drug Phlebodia 600, which is safe in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Troxevasin, Lyoton, Heparin ointment, etc. are applied topically to the thighs.
Urgent measures, including those including minimally invasive treatment methods, are taken by the doctor for varicose veins of the vulva, since during childbirth severe bleeding is possible due to rupture of venous vessels. Conservative treatment of any type and stage of varicose veins of the pelvic veins in pregnant women is also mandatory, because the pathology can provoke fetal hypoxia, fetoplacental insufficiency and other complications.
Usually, at stage 1-2 of the pathology, a woman can give birth on her own, but in all situations there are exceptions when natural childbirth becomes dangerous. If there is an inflammatory process in the veins, dilation of the veins of the groin, vulva, or vagina, a planned caesarean section is performed. On the day of childbirth or surgery, the woman wears special compression garments or bandages. Medicines must be injected into the blood to prevent blood clots from forming. During natural childbirth, the doctor presses the varicose tissue with his palm so that their blood supply does not increase.
In order not to harm yourself, you need to immediately give up hard work immediately after discovering the disease, distribute the load wisely: physical labor, overexertion, many types of sports activities can provoke the progression of the dilation of the pelvic veins. You cannot continue to smoke or abuse alcohol: this causes a rapid increase in the weakness of the venous wall. If your doctor indicates the need to abandon hormonal contraception, you must strictly follow his recommendations.
To ensure that the disease never bothers a woman, the following preventive measures have been developed:
During pregnancy, starting from the 30th week, you should sleep on your side: this will help prevent a large load on the pelvic veins. An early visit to a doctor will help to completely get rid of the signs of varicose veins, even as serious as the one described in the article.
Have all your attempts to cure varicose veins been unsuccessful?
Have you already thought about radical measures? This is understandable, because healthy legs are an indicator of health and a reason for pride. In addition, this is at least human longevity. And the fact that a person protected from vein diseases looks younger is an axiom that does not require proof.
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Despite the fact that in medical practice there are thousands of cases of successful treatment of varicose veins of the small pelvis, this disease is considered poorly understood. Suffice it to say that the first description of the clinic of this disease was made only in 1975. Therefore, it is quite difficult to diagnose it, especially for young specialists, especially when changes occur during pregnancy. After all, what do patients usually complain about in such cases?
And finding the root cause can be quite difficult, and identifying varicose veins even more so. Although, if you look at it, pregnancy and varicose veins of the small pelvis are closely related. After all, the wide ligaments of the uterus, which support the veins of the perineum normally, unfortunately, can have the opposite effect, which causes varicose veins. In principle, a woman is at risk of acquiring this disease throughout her childbearing period.
The pelvic venous system itself is a complex interweaving, each element of which is dependent on the other. Therefore, when even in a small area:
But the causes of stasis can be:
The main external causes that cause the disease include:
You can alleviate pain symptoms, or even get rid of them altogether, if you follow all the doctor’s recommendations, the main ones of which are:
And as a preventive measure, the use of venotonics may be recommended; the duration of courses is selected individually.
As for phlebodia, this angioprotector has the widest spectrum of action, reducing venous stagnation and increasing tone; it also enhances microcirculation and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, it is indicated even in cases where pregnancy is confirmed and varicose veins of the small pelvis are still identified.
Correctly following all the doctor’s recommendations, for the most part, gives good results. Against the background of general positive dynamics and improvement in well-being and quality of life, the following are noted:
Unfortunately, there are cases when, as a result of various types of modern studies, including laparoscopic, computed tomography, differential diagnosis and a serious course of treatment, a woman does not feel relief. It is not possible to restore venous tone, and hemodynamics remain unchanged. In such a situation, one has to resort to surgical intervention as the only effective way to eliminate the pathology.
By starting treatment for varicose veins of the small pelvis in a timely manner, the patient has every chance of returning herself to a full life, feeling the joy of being and even having intercourse with a partner. While refusing the help of qualified specialists can lead to the following:
And against the backdrop of everything, thrombosis of the pelvic veins and even pulmonary embolism are possible.
When mentioning a disease such as varicose veins, most people imagine pathological processes in the lower extremities that are visible to the naked eye. Varicose veins of the pelvis - this type of disease is spoken and written about much less often. Often its signs are regarded as the presence of inflammatory processes in the genital organs, some hormonal disorders, pathologies of the urinary system, and lumbar radiculitis.
In women, varicose veins of the pelvic organs are caused by stretching of the walls of the veins, reducing their strength. The peak incidence occurs in the reproductive age range from 25 to 50 years. Sometimes varicose veins can be detected in teenage girls during a period of rapid growth and the formation of hormonal levels and the menstrual cycle. At this age, the disease may be asymptomatic.
Another feature of the pathology is the tendency to worsen and actively manifest itself during the period of bearing a child.
Obstruction of the veins and disruptions in the normal circulatory system in the ovaries lead to disruptions in the circulatory system. A provoking factor in the development of the disease may be connective tissue dysplasia, leading to a decrease in the amount of collagen and, as a consequence, the elasticity and strength of blood vessels.
General negative factors and reasons for the development of varicose veins of the small pelvis:
Hormonal imbalance, in particular an increase in estrogen levels, can provoke the development of varicose veins.
As already noted, pelvic varicose veins manifest themselves similarly to diseases of the female reproductive system. The main sign that makes you wary is constant pain. They are felt in the lower abdomen and can be either weak, barely noticeable, or intensely sharp. Very often, severe pain, occurring in the pelvis, spreads to the lumbar or sacral area. The pain becomes more severe after physical exertion or, conversely, after a long stay in the same position (sitting or standing).
Pelvic venous system in women
The following symptoms that manifest varicose veins of the small pelvis should be highlighted:
A distinction is made between varicose veins of the vulva and the development of the disease as a result of venous congestion. The disease can have three degrees of intensity.
Determining the severity of the pathology is one of the main stages of diagnosis, as it helps determine treatment methods. In the first two cases, conservative treatment, changes in the nutritional system, and the use of therapeutic exercises are usually sufficient. The third degree of severity of the disease requires surgery and ligation of large veins.
This disease is a problem for women who have given birth repeatedly. Changes in the veins can occur already during the first pregnancy, and with each subsequent pregnancy the risk increases. At a certain stage, the veins of the organs cease to function fully, preventing the normal outflow of blood.
The risk increases if a woman:
Why is the disease so often diagnosed in pregnant women?
This pathology affects women in the third trimester, since the enlarging uterus puts pressure on nearby organs, creating obstacles to their normal activities.
The normal volume of circulating blood in the body increases by almost 50% during gestation. The veins do not always cope with the increased load on them, especially if the situation is aggravated by various provoking factors discussed above.
Characteristic changes in hormonal levels in the body of the expectant mother can also have a bad effect on the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels.
What is dangerous about pathological enlargement of veins during gestation?
Varicose veins of the uterus and other organs threaten a difficult birth with serious consequences. Thinning vein walls can become injured and even rupture, causing pain and bleeding. These phenomena are harmful and dangerous not only for a woman’s well-being, but also for her life.
One of the most common disorders is the risk of blood clots. They block blood vessels, reducing or completely preventing the normal supply of blood to the placenta. This dysfunction leads to aging of the placenta and oxygen starvation of the fetus.
At stages 1 and 2 of varicose veins of the small pelvis, childbirth, as a rule, occurs naturally. During pushing, medical personnel ensure that the pressure in the walls of the blood vessels is reduced. Simultaneous administration of blood thinning drugs is necessary.
The severe (3rd) form requires a cesarean section.
If this problem exists, the pregnant woman should carefully prepare for future births, namely:
Expectant mothers need to reconsider their diet, ensuring timely bowel movements.
An external gynecological examination allows you to easily determine varicose veins of the vulva and perineum. But how to check whether there is a similar pathology in the internal genital organs? To accurately determine the problem, additional examinations are prescribed, such as ultrasound diagnostics, venography, laparoscopy, computed tomography or MRI.
The disease does not belong to gynecological pathologies. His treatment is carried out by a phlebologist (vascular surgeon). But since pathology is often detected during an ultrasound, the woman is subsequently observed by two specialists - a gynecologist and a phlebologist. Treatment of varicose veins of the small pelvis should be comprehensive, including drug and non-drug therapy, the use of therapeutic exercises, normalization of the nutrition system and revision of the daily routine.
Medications are effective in eliminating symptoms at the initial stage. Patients are prescribed medications during an exacerbation period. Long-term use of such drugs is undesirable, as they tend to cause side effects. Medicines improve blood circulation, relieve inflammation and pain, and reduce the risk of blood clots.
How to treat dilated pelvic veins in pregnant women, and how justified is drug therapy in this case?
Given the potential harm to the fetus and the high risk of side effects, drugs are prescribed no earlier than the second trimester and only in exceptional cases. If a woman has never had such medical problems before pregnancy, most often she is recommended to limit herself to non-drug methods of therapy, for example, wearing special underwear.
Let's look at the use of some medications:
The main active ingredient of the product is diosmin. Release form: tablets. Taking the drug reduces congestion in the pelvic area, stimulates venous outflow and blood circulation. It is well tolerated, but in some cases allergic skin reactions, headache, stool upset or nausea are possible. Not recommended for persons with hypersensitivity to the components of the product and children under the age of majority.
Pregnant women are prescribed the medicine after consulting a doctor, for a period not earlier than 12 weeks.
The active substance is dipyridamole. Available in tablet form. Recommended for the treatment and prevention of varicose veins, thrombosis and their complications. Contraindications include disorders of the heart and blood vessels, liver failure, and peptic ulcers.
After long-term use, side effects are possible: headache, skin rash, increased heart rate, flushing of the face, disorders of the digestive system. During pregnancy, it is prescribed according to indications when the expected benefit outweighs the possible risks to the fetus.
Used in complex therapy together with another drug Phlogenzyme. Wobenzym contains plant extracts (pineapple and papaya) and animal pancreas extracts. The combined drug has an anti-inflammatory, decongestant, analgesic effect. Release form: tablets.
Side effects are rare, including urticaria and minor skin rashes. Contraindications include hemophilia and individual intolerance to the components of the product.
Gymnastics will help eliminate congestion in the pelvis. Most exercises are performed in a lying position. This can be the famous “birch tree”, “bicycle”, “scissors”. When they are performed, there is a sufficient load on the lower abdomen, promoting the outflow of blood. Therapeutic exercise is complemented by wearing compression stockings.
Among the treatment methods, hirudotherapy and treatment with leeches, which are placed in the tailbone area, are also used.
Traditional medicine is effective in overcoming the symptoms of the disease if used in the early stages. Teas and decoctions of chaga and dandelion root, and tinctures based on horse chestnut are very effective.
The most accessible way to use chaga is medicinal tea based on it. To do this, pour 3 tablespoons of dried chaga into 0.5 liters of boiled water and leave in a warm place for several hours. Take half an hour before meals, no more than 2-3 times a day.
A dessert spoon of crushed dandelion root is poured with a glass of boiling water, left for several hours and drunk three times a day 10-15 minutes before meals. This tea is contraindicated for people suffering from gastritis or biliary tract disease.
To prepare horse chestnut tincture, the fruits are peeled, finely chopped, placed in a dark glass bottle and filled with vodka in a ratio of 1:10. Duration of infusion – 14 days. 25-30 drops of the resulting tincture are mixed with a small amount of water and taken three times a day. The duration of treatment should not exceed 30 days.
A balanced diet excluding fatty foods and alcoholic beverages is of great importance in the treatment of the disease. The menu should include dishes high in fiber and vegetable fats. The main products in the diet should be vegetables, fruits, natural juices, and green tea. Sweet baked goods, dishes with a lot of spices, and fast food are not recommended. Meals should be frequent, but in small portions.
Foods high in vitamin C (citrus fruits, black currants), seafood (oysters, shrimp, seaweed) are beneficial. Dishes should be prepared with a minimum amount of salt.
Conservative methods of therapy significantly alleviate the condition of patients and eliminate the risk of developing severe consequences. The main goal of treatment is to prevent relapses and the need for surgical intervention. Prevention of the disease and its relapses is of great importance.
Among the medical recommendations, the following should be highlighted:
Following preventive recommendations is also important during pregnancy, especially in the second half.
Reviewing your diet, active lifestyle, regular visits to the doctor, and treatment of dilated pelvic veins immediately after identifying the disease will eliminate painful symptoms and help avoid surgery for a long time.