Chronic uterine pain syndrome is also known as varicose veins of the pelvic organs or varicose veins in the uterus. This disease is more common in women of childbearing age, is difficult to diagnose, and can be almost asymptomatic, but you should know its signs to avoid misdiagnosing female diseases.
What are varicose veins of the uterus?
Varicose veins are blood congestion in the veins that have led to a loss of elasticity due to hormonal changes or genetic predisposition. The vessels of the lower extremities and the pelvic organs are more prone to disease. Varicose veins of the pelvis are more dangerous than the manifestation of a similar disease on the legs, since it cannot be visually determined, and infertility, inflammation in the ovaries, uterus and vagina can become a consequence of internal varicose veins.
Causes of varicose veins in the pelvis
There are several theories about the occurrence of this pathology in women of childbearing age. Pregnancy is considered to be the main trigger for varicose veins in the uterus. Conditions for the progression of the disease appear:
- an increase in the level of progesterone in the blood, which relaxes the walls of blood vessels;
- an increase in the load on the pelvic organs (OMT), a violation of their normal blood supply;
- reverse blood flow through the ovarian vein;
- chronic inflammatory processes of the uterus, appendages;
- artificial termination of pregnancy.
Not all pregnant women are at this risk. This disease is genetic. Before planning a pregnancy, it is important to undergo a serious examination to rule out health risks and possible complications in childbirth. Varicose veins of the uterus are detected using ultrasound diagnostics and confirmation of the diagnosis using transuterine venography, ovarography.
Symptoms of varicose veins
The disease can mainly be recognized by two symptoms:
- chronic pain in the lower abdomen, aggravated by physical exertion, during sexual intercourse, in the second half of the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy;
- increased discharge from the vagina.
Pain intensifies if a woman leads an inactive, sedentary lifestyle during inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system. Varicose veins of the uterus are often closely related to sexual dysfunction. Depending on the stage of the disease, the symptoms may be minor or absent:
- the first stage - the size of the vein (diameter) up to 5 mm, the convoluted course of the vessels (minor symptoms);
- the second - a vein up to 10 mm, varicose vein enlargement of the parametric veins of the uterus;
- the third - a diameter of more than 10 mm, a total type of varicose veins.
What is dangerous during pregnancy
If the diagnosis is made before conception, symptoms may worsen during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. Many women wonder why varicose veins are dangerous and how to deal with them 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 pelvis can be a reason for prescribing a caesarean section, less often - placental insufficiency can occur.
Diet for varicose veins
In the treatment and prevention of varicose veins of various etiologies, diet plays a very important role. Doctors recommend avoiding coffee and strong tea and limiting the consumption of sugar and salt. It is useful to fill the diet with fresh vegetables, fruits and vegetable oils. Such a diet has a positive effect on blood flow, the condition of the walls of blood vessels, prevents the stagnation of fluid in the body, relieving the load on the veins. It is important for pregnant women to limit the amount of fluid, as the hormone level provokes blood stagnation.
Treatment of varicose veins of the pelvis
After the signs of varicose veins are determined, after confirming the diagnosis, patients are treated with conservative methods with the help of drugs and physical therapy. If treatment doesn't improve and the pain persists, they resort to surgery. An important question for many is how to treat varicose veins during pregnancy. At this point, a woman must be on supportive therapy and under medical supervision after childbirth to undergo intensive treatment.
Take venotonics
The first measure to treat varicose veins of the uterus stage 1-2 is venotonic. The phlebologist appoints them after a thorough examination. Venotonic drugs are prescribed. Taking pills takes two to three months under medical supervision. During this time, the pain of the OMT should be significantly reduced, the pain syndrome during menstruation should decrease. It is better to combine such treatment with health-promoting gymnastics.
Exercises
Compulsory physical activity includes long walks and relaxation exercises that relax the cervix and perineal muscles - these are exercises "birch", "bicycle". Special breathing therapy exercises are helpful - including deep breathing that includes the lower abdominal muscles. Also shown is the wearing of compression underwear and tights that support the legs, vascular plexuses of the perineum and buttocks. An alternating shower offers an additional beneficial effect.
Surgical treatment of varicose veins
If drug treatment does not help, pain is not relieved, or the third stage of pelvic varicose veins is diagnosed, surgical intervention is performed, the degree of which is selected taking into account the location of the reverse blood flow:
- Ovarian vein ligature;
- Ovarian vein embolization;
- Angiography (administration of contrast media);
- open removal of the gonadal veins.
If the patient's varicose veins are observed not only in the pelvic organs, but also on the legs, then Troyanov-Trendelenburg surgery, in which the great saphenous vein is removed, is used. This method is common in the fight against the third stage of varicose veins of the uterus and total 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 factors that are companions of varicose veins and complications:
- Smoking;
- Alcohol;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- Self-medication for hormonal changes, gynecological diseases;
- wrong diet.