Almost everyone has heard of varicose veins. In most people, this vascular disease is associated with foot problems, but quite often the pelvic organs become the site of the pathological process. One of the types of this pathology is varicose veins of the uterus.
The disease is mainly diagnosed in women or girls who have entered reproductive age, but in some cases it also develops in adolescent girls. To deal with the pathology, it is important to know the main causes and symptoms of its occurrence, as well as to have an idea of the treatment methods.
Characteristics of pathology
What are uterine varicose veins? This medical term refers to a disease caused by a number of pathological factors that affect the venous network of the pelvic organs:
- Thinning of the vascular walls.
- The formation of vascular nodules.
- Dilation of the venous lumen.
These three factors negatively affect the process of blood circulation in a separate part of the organ and lead to valvular insufficiency of the veins in the same area. Diagnosis of the disease is difficult due to the lack of obvious clinical signs, as well as due to the similarity with diseases of the pelvic organs of inflammatory nature. For these reasons, the pathology is often found in severe stages, when its treatment is much more complicated.
Gynecologists distinguish two subtypes of the pathological process:
- Varicose veins of the uterus.
- Varicose veins of the cervix.
In any case, the disease is dangerous for its complications, among which there are inflammatory processes that cover the uterus, ovaries and vagina. The most serious complication is infertility.
Causes of the disease
Understanding the underlying factors in the development of the disease provides many key benefits. First, it allows the doctor to make the diagnosis faster and more accurately, as well as prescribe adequate treatment. Second, a woman will be able to try to prevent the development of pathology.
Examine the most likely causes of uterine varicose veins:
- Pregnancy is considered the main factor in the development of the pathological process. Already in the embryonic stage, and then as the fetus grows and develops, the circulation of the uterus increases (much depends on the period). At the same time, in vessels with a weakened venous wall, the function of the valves is disturbed and they stretch. In addition, a growing fetus increases the load on the pelvic organs, which can also stimulate the development of the disease.
- Taking hormonal drugs for a long time. Certain drugs adversely affect the condition of blood vessels, their walls lose their elasticity.
- Another factor that causes the disease is reduced motor activity. A sedentary or sedentary lifestyle leads to a decrease in muscle contractile function, the consequence will be a violation of blood circulation.
- Increased physical activity in the pelvic area. In this case, as in pregnancy, blood flow to the pelvic organs, especially the uterus, increases.
- Increased constipation - in this case, the cause of varicose veins becomes again increased blood flow. However, circulation is now increased due to increased intra-abdominal pressure.
- Congenital abnormalities in the structure of the uterus.
- Artificial termination of pregnancy.
- Difficult childbirth.
- Inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs.
Symptoms and diagnosis
The complexity of diagnosing varicose veins lies in the fact that the symptoms of this disease are covered like other pathologies. In addition, the clinical picture indicating the development of the disease is rather poor:
- Frequent, recurring pain more than 3-4 times a week in the lower abdomen, closer to the genital area. The pain syndrome is intense, the nature of the pain is pulling and pain. In some cases, the pain is so intense that the woman loses her ability to work, it is difficult even to get out of bed.
- Over 80% of women with varicose veins experience discomfort or even pain during or after intercourse.
- Violation of the menstrual cycle, delays in menstruation up to 50-60 days are possible. In this case, the discharge is often meager, menstruation lasts for 5-7 days. Prolonged absence of menstruation is considered by many women as the first signs of menopause.
This clinical picture is inherent in a number of other gynecological diseases. For this reason, it is impossible to make a diagnosis based only on the symptoms, the doctor is obliged to prescribe a series of diagnostic measures. In addition, in cervical varicose veins the symptoms are about the same.
Important: Uterine varicose veins are diagnosed mainly in the second stage, as at this time the described symptoms begin to bother the woman. The sooner the pathology is identified and treatment is started, the less chance of complications, especially infertility.
Regarding the directly assigned studies, these are the following:
- Ultrasound, done by the transvaginal method.
- CT of the pelvic organs.
- Dopplerography.
- Selective ovulation.
The need for any diagnostic method depends on the data obtained as a result of the ultrasound, after it is performed first.
Characteristics of the disease during pregnancy
Due to the increased load on the body as a whole and on the pelvic organs, during pregnancy, the possibility of uterine varicose veins increases. Until a woman gives birth, the disease is not treated.
The pathology that develops during pregnancy affects the choice of mode of delivery. Very often, the doctor decides to have a caesarean section. This is done to avoid complications in the form of thrombophlebitis, internal bleeding, thrombosis, etc.
Regardless of the period of pregnancy in which the disease was diagnosed, a woman must be constantly monitored by a doctor to monitor the condition of the fetus and the development of varicose veins.
Important: When planning a pregnancy, get tested for uterine varicose veins and other gynecological problems. This will help avoid complications during childbirth and reduce the risk of fetal developmental pathologies.
Treatment of the disease
To get specialized help with varicose veins, you should contact a doctor, first a gynecologist, who will then refer you to a venologist.
The basis of treatment is drug therapy, which consists of taking the following drugs:
- Venotonics - drugs of this group have a beneficial effect on the condition of blood vessels. They stimulate the capillaries and blood vessels, reduce their permeability, increase elasticity and strengthen the walls of the veins.
- Drugs to reduce blood viscosity - help to improve the overall inflow and outflow of blood into the affected blood vessels, reduce the chance of thrombosis. The means of this group are contraindicated in pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
Important: Any medicine is prescribed only by a doctor, based on the preliminary diagnosis, the patient's medical history and taking into account the stage of development of the disease. It is important to take special care of women in their position.
Treatment methods
In addition to medication for a holistic treatment, a holistic approach and the implementation of the following recommendations are important:
- compliance with the sleep pattern.
- minimizing physical activity while maintaining mobility.
- following a diet that includes many vegetables, fruits and oils rich in vitamin E.
- supportive sports, therapeutic gymnastics.
- complete elimination of any bad habits.
- Some doctors recommend doing Kegel exercises, which help strengthen the vaginal muscles.
Surgery
Such drastic measures are required in cases where conservative treatment has not brought the appropriate results or the disease has been detected at a later stage. The following surgical methods are the most popular:
- Phlebectomy is the removal of individual sections of small blood vessels.
- Laser coagulation is the most frugal type of restoration of normal blood flow.
- Sclerotherapy is the introduction into the vein of a vein of a factor that promotes its adhesion. Lack of blood supply to the vessel will lead to its spontaneous elimination.
- In the most severe cases, it is necessary to perform a complete removal of the uterus, sometimes together with the accessories.
ethnoscience
Alternative methods are one of the options for complex treatment in a conservative way. They are not able to completely replace drug treatment, but they can affect the success of treatment in general.
The most effective means of traditional medicine are:
- Horse chestnut infusion: take 100 grams of chestnut fruit, chop them together with the peel. Pour the resulting raw material with enough vodka to cover the crushed fruit by 4-5 mm. Insist in a dark place for 14-15 days. After that, the infusion is taken 10 drops twice a day. The tool strengthens the vascular walls and thins the blood.
- Lilac tincture: for 0. 5 liters of vodka, you need to take 100 grams of lilac flowers and 30 grams of propolis. All ingredients are poured with vodka and left in a dark place for 30 days (every 2-3 days you need to shake). The tincture is then filtered and consumed 15 milliliters three times daily before meals.
Remember, before using even the most harmless traditional medicine, you should consult a doctor.
Complications of the disease
Uterine varicose veins are dangerous for their complications in the absence of proper treatment. These complications are:
- internal bleeding;
- thrombosis;
- inflammatory processes of the genitals.
- menstrual irregularities;
- hormonal ovarian dysfunction.
- infertility.
Precautionary measures
It is always better to prevent a disease by preventing it from developing, rather than treating it or its consequences later. To prevent uterine varicose veins, follow these simple guidelines:
- follow a mobile lifestyle, walk more and walk.
- do gymnastic sports.
- do you eat healthy foods, less fatty, fried, spicy, spicy, sour?
- You visit the gynecologist regularly, especially for the slightest complaint.
Despite the difficulties in detecting varicose veins of the uterus, in order to prevent the progression of the disease and complications, if the symptoms described previously occur, consult a doctor. It is also important to remember that self-medication in such cases is contraindicated, requires careful diagnosis and constant monitoring by a gynecologist and venologist.