In women, persistent pain in the pelvic region is often associated with circulatory problems in this area. Hidden dilatation of the pelvic vessels is not uncommon. What it is and how to deal with it - we will consider in this material!
Medical statistics show that more than half of middle-aged women experience recurrent lower abdominal pain. About half of all these cases are associated with circulatory disorders. This is manifested by blood stasis and the subsequent flow of intercellular fluid into the pelvic cavity. Obstruction leads to compression of the soft tissues of the organs. This leads to the development of pain syndrome. The cause of this pathological process is varicose veins of the small pelvis.
It usually begins to develop during pregnancy and then slowly progresses throughout a woman's life. At present, there is no reliable information on the causes of this phenomenon and effective treatment methods.
Development mechanism
In a normally functioning vessel, blood flows in only one direction. The valve system prevents backflow. As the valves lose their integrity and elasticity, venous blood gradually develops in reverse. With a long-lasting pathological process, it causes permanent blood stasis. As a result, the vessel wall lengthens and the vascular space expands. It loses bandwidth and compression when needed.
In the early stages of the disease, the pain is caused by damage to the nerve endings that innervate the vascular walls of the venous bed.
Probable causes
At present, science does not know the exact cause of this disease. Possible risk factors include the following.
- Physiology of pregnancy. There is a significant increase in the volume of blood circulating during pregnancy. This causes the pregnant woman to gain weight. Excess blood volume along with excess body weight is believed to help dilate the venous bed. In the future, this can lead to blockage and damage to the venous valves.
- Estrogen activity. During pregnancy, large doses of estrogen hormones are constantly released into a woman's body. They are necessary for the protection and growth of the fetus. Estrogens relax the muscles in infancy, reducing the risk of miscarriage. But on the other hand, these substances have a negative effect on the narrowing of blood vessels.
- Individual anatomical disorders. In some patients, individual anatomical features of the small pelvic vessels are found. Their location, in principle, is unfavorable for the onset of pregnancy. Therefore, the onset of fertilization often leads to the development of venous insufficiency.
Is there a connection between this condition and varicose veins of the lower extremities?
Varicose veins in the small pelvis are very similar to the condition of varicose veins in the legs. In both cases, the valves that help the blood flow in the arteries to the heart are affected. The valves malfunction to prevent backflow of blood. When the caps collapse, the blood stagnates in the arteries. Clogged arteries stretch and make the blockage worse. Pelvic venous overload syndrome mainly develops near the uterus, fallopian tubes, vulva and even the vagina. The condition is usually associated with unavoidable weight gain during pregnancy.
Varicose veins are usually observed in women:
- Between the ages of 20-45;
- during multiple pregnancies.
What are the signs and symptoms?
The most common complaint of an injured woman is pain of varying severity. Pain syndrome is stable in nature and has no cyclical nature. Increased pain occurs:
- before menstruation;
- at the end of a difficult day at work;
- after standing for a long time;
- during or immediately after sexual intercourse;
- in the later stages of pregnancy.
All these symptoms are reason enough to see a phlebologist. This condition can be associated with a periodic increase in total body weight of 2-5 kg. This weight is mainly due to the flow of fluid into the abdominal cavity of the small pelvis.
There are many other non-specific symptoms that appear with varying intensity. Symptoms usually occur at the end of the day or after standing for a long time or even after sexual intercourse. In some cases, the pain can be severe and can affect personal and social relationships.
Signs may also include:
- swelling of the vulva and vagina;
- varicose veins of the external genitalia, hips, legs;
- abnormal menstrual bleeding;
- pain when touching the lower abdomen;
- pain during sexual intercourse;
- painful periods;
- back pain;
- vaginal discharge;
- general weakness and apathy;
- depression and feelings of depression.
In most cases, the presence of pelvic stasis syndrome is not clear, and the diagnosis can be made only after the exclusion of other diseases. Similar disorders with the same symptoms include:
- endometriosis;
- uterine fibroids;
- uterine prolapse (as a result of weak pelvic floor muscles, the uterus descends into the pelvic cavity).
Diagnostics and laboratory tests
Laboratory tests are important for a complete diagnosis of stagnation. A woman is usually given a standard set of tests.
Ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs. This will help assess the condition of the uterus and other organs of the small pelvis. It can also help visualize blood flow and the presence of varicose veins in the pelvis. The procedure is painless and takes about 30 minutes. Generally cheap and effective.
Phlebogram. In the past, this test was widely used to diagnose pelvic blood stasis, but today, if possible, the procedure is being replaced by computed tomography. The test involves injecting a special dye into a vein in the groin and then using X-rays. The procedure takes about 30-45 minutes and is performed in an outpatient setting. The examination is painless, but there is a risk of developing an allergic reaction to the contrast agent. It is also possible that the pelvic organs may be exposed to radiation.
Computed tomography is often used in the diagnosis of pelvic varicose veins. This method allows you to visually examine the anatomy of the small pelvis and identify varicose veins of the small pelvis. This is due to radiation exposure and is not recommended as a test in pregnant women.
Magnetic resonance imaging is a very useful test in the diagnosis of pelvic obstruction syndrome. Does not use radiation or contrast agent. This is a painless examination. The pictures are of excellent quality. In most cases, it is the preferred method of diagnosis. The test takes about 15 minutes and is performed in an outpatient setting.