Chronic uterine pain syndrome is also known as pelvic varicose veins or varicose veins in the uterus. This disease is more common in women of reproductive age, it is difficult to diagnose and can be almost asymptomatic, but you need to know its signs to avoid misdiagnosis of female diseases.
What is varicose veins of the uterus
Varicose veins are congestion of blood in the veins, which has led to a loss of their elasticity due to hormonal changes or genetic predisposition. The vessels of the lower extremities and pelvic organs are more often susceptible to disease. Varicose veins of the pelvis are more dangerous than the manifestation of a similar disease in the legs because they cannot be determined visually, and infertility, inflammation in the ovaries, uterus and vagina can become a consequence of internal varicose veins.
Causes of varicose veins in the small pelvis
There are several theories about the occurrence of this pathology in women of reproductive age. Pregnancy is thought to be a major trigger for varicose veins of the uterus. conditions for disease progression appear:
- increase in the concentration of progesterone in the blood, which relaxes the walls of blood vessels;
- increase in the load on the pelvic organs (OMT), violation of their normal blood supply;
- reverse blood flow through the ovarian vein;
- chronic inflammatory processes of the uterus, appendages;
- abortion.
Not all pregnant women are at risk. this disease is genetically determined. Before planning a pregnancy, you need to undergo a serious examination to rule out risks to your health and possible complications during childbirth. Varicose veins of the uterus are detected by ultrasound diagnostics, and confirmation of the diagnosis by trans-uterine phlebography, ovaricography.
Symptoms of varicose veins
The disease can be recognized mainly by two symptoms:
- chronic pain in the lower abdomen, intensified by physical exertion, during sexual intercourse, in the second half of the menstrual cycle and during gestation;
- increased vaginal discharge.
The pain is exacerbated if a woman leads an inactive, sedentary lifestyle, during inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system. Often, varicose veins of the uterus are closely associated with sexual dysfunction. Symptoms may be small or absent, depending on the stage of the disease:
- first stage - vein size (diameter) up to 5 mm, curved blood flow (minor symptoms);
- others - vein up to 10 mm, dilated dilation of parametric uterine veins;
- third - diameter greater than 10 mm, total type of varicose veins.
What is dangerous during pregnancy?
If the diagnosis is made before conception, then during pregnancy the symptoms may worsen due to hormonal changes. Many women wonder why varicose veins are dangerous and how to deal with it during pregnancy? If a woman is under the constant supervision of a doctor and monitors her health, then the violation of blood flow during pregnancy is not dangerous. In rare cases, varicose veins of the small pelvis may be the reason for prescribing a cesarean section, less often - they can cause placental insufficiency.
Diet for varicose veins
In the treatment, prevention of varicose veins of various etiologies, nutrition plays a very important role. Doctors recommend giving up coffee, strong tea and limiting the use of sugar and salt. It will be useful to replenish the diet with fresh vegetables, fruits, vegetable oils. Such a diet has a beneficial effect on blood flow, the condition of the walls of blood vessels, prevents fluid stagnation in the body, which relieves the load from the veins. It is important for pregnant women to limit the amount of fluid they drink, because hormone levels cause blood stagnation.
Treatment of varicose veins of the small pelvis
Having identified the signs of varicose veins, after confirming the diagnosis, patients begin to be treated with conservative methods with the help of drugs and physiotherapy. If treatment does not improve and the pain persists, surgery is resorted to. The important question for many is how to treat varicose veins during pregnancy? At this time, the woman should be under the supervision of a doctor on supportive therapy, and after childbirth - undergo intensive treatment.
Taking venotonics
The first thing to treat 1-2 degree varicose veins of the uterus is venotonic. The phlebologist appoints them after an extensive examination. Venotonic drugs are prescribed. Taking the tablets lasts for two to three months under the supervision of a doctor. During this time, the pain in the OMT should be significantly reduced and the pain syndrome during menstruation should be reduced. It is better to combine such treatment with gymnastics to improve health.
Exercises
Mandatory physical activity includes long walks and unloading exercises that relax the cervix and perineal muscles - these are the exercises "birch", "bicycle". Special respiratory therapeutic exercises are useful - even deep breathing with the involvement of muscles in the lower abdomen. Wearing compression underwear and leggings that support the legs, vascular plexuses of the perineum and buttocks is also shown. An additional beneficial effect is provided by a contrasting shower.
Surgical treatment of varicose veins
If drug treatment does not help, the pain is not relieved or the third stage of varicose veins of the small pelvis is diagnosed, then a surgical intervention is performed, the degree of which is selected taking into account the location of the reverse blood flow:
- ovarian vein ligation;
- ovarian vein embolization;
- angiography (administration of contrast agents);
- open removal of gonadal veins.
If the patient's varicose veins are observed not only in the pelvic organs but also in the legs, then Troyanov-Trendelenburg surgery is used, which consists in removing the great saphenous vein. This method is common in the fight against the third phase of varicose veins of the uterus and complete venous dilatation. With early diagnosis it is possible to avoid surgical intervention, to stop its development in the early stages. It is necessary to exclude the factors that accompany varicose veins and complications:
- smoking;
- alcohol;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- self-medication during hormonal changes, gynecological diseases;
- improper diet.