Varicose veins in the legs are a pathology well known to many modern people. Almost every third of women of childbearing age face it. But a diagnosis like "uterine varicose veins" can frighten and confuse any patient. After all, the disease is so rare that little is known about it. Also, the disease is difficult to diagnose because it usually has few symptoms.
what is this
Uterine varicose veins (pictured above) are a condition in which the walls of blood vessels become too thin, too long, and inflexible. A lot of people think this can only happen to the legs, but it really isn't. In fact, varicose veins can originate anywhere in the body through which a blood vessel passes.
Surprisingly, varicose veins in the uterus are often diagnosed, but despite its prevalence, it poses great dangers. Usually, this defect is accompanied by mild clinical manifestations. Also, its signs are often considered symptoms of reproductive organ disorders, which are only exacerbated by the lack of necessary treatment.
Usually, pathology can only be detected during pregnancy. After all, it was during this period that the most thorough and detailed diagnosis of the female body took place.
reason
Various conditions can cause this disease. Among them, experts have identified several major causes of uterine varicose veins.
- hormone imbalance. The female body is constantly affected by peak levels of the vital element during each menstrual cycle. Additionally, hormonal imbalances often occur during menopause and pregnancy, as well as when taking oral contraceptives.
- Have regular abortions.
- Pathology of reproductive organs. The greatest dangers are diseases that develop over a long period of time without proper treatment.
- genetic predisposition.
- Give birth frequently.
- holding a big child.
- Congenital anomalies related to blood vessels in the uterine cavity.
risk group
Among other things, the likelihood of developing uterine varicose veins increases significantly under the influence of:
- obesity;
- a sedentary lifestyle;
- bad habits;
- excessive physical activity;
- endocrine diseases;
- An increase in the size of the organ itself.
During pregnancy, the disease occurs on the background of the release of progesterone into the blood. This hormone not only lowers the tone of reproductive elements, but also lowers the walls of blood vessels. As a result, they are oversaturated with blood and stretched considerably due to obstructions in the outflow process.
Notably, the pathology can cover other organs of the genitourinary system. Less commonly diagnosed as varicose veins in the cervix, ovaries, or even the external reproductive parts of the body.
symptom
Usually, the signs of uterine varicose veins are mild. Furthermore, they often resemble manifestations of inflammation, so the true pathology goes unnoticed at all.
Most of the time, the disease is detected during pregnancy, when the organ is under the greatest load, which contributes to the rapid development of the defect. Usually, the first symptoms of uterine varicose veins are:
- Lower abdominal pain, worsening or presenting after physical exertion and intimacy, may be given to the lower back;
- abnormal changes in the menstrual cycle - discharges become too little and their duration increases;
- increased vaginal sensitivity;
- During pregnancy, the disorder manifests as a feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen.
By the way, many women experience their last symptoms when they give birth prematurely.
Often, the disease is difficult to recognize by symptoms. It is precisely because of the difficulty of diagnosis that the treatment of uterine varices is often delayed. This is why many women face complications from this disease.
Uterine varicose veins are dangerous because the thinning and dilation of the walls of the blood vessels can cause injury and tear. In the context of these processes, anemia occurs. In addition, the disease can cause complications during labor and delivery.
The clinical manifestations of uterine varicose veins have been erased, but it poses a threat to a woman's health. Finding it is always very difficult, so you should use the various exams and pass them as carefully as possible.
diagnosis
It is simply impossible to diagnose "uterine varices" based solely on the gynecological examination and the collected medical history. After all, any specific manifestation of the disease is unusual. Doppler ultrasonography is recommended for the detection of intrauterine varicose veins. This procedure can carefully examine the status of the blood vessels in the uterus and determine the presence of disease. In addition, patients may require additional investigations:
- Laparoscopy;
- CT scan of pelvic organs;
- selective oophorography;
- venography.
Among other things, the presence of endometriosis, post-operative neuropathy, deviated uterine orientation, and intestinal inflammatory processes should be excluded. In other words, making a differential diagnosis is very important. After all, the symptoms of the condition are very similar to those of varicose veins.
Only after a thorough diagnosis can you choose an appropriate treatment plan.
Uterine varicose veins - what to do
In the treatment of this disease, both conservative and surgical approaches are used successfully. Two specialists are involved in solving such problems at the same time: a phlebologist and a gynecologist.
Conservative therapy includes the use of:
- antiplatelet drugs;
- poisonous snake venom;
- Anti-inflammatory drugs.
It is worth mentioning that all suggested medications are contraindicated during the baby's pregnancy. Therefore, patients are advised to engage in therapeutic exercise during pregnancy. Also, women at this time wear compression underwear.
After the drug treatment is completed, the patient should maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is necessary to quit bad habits and provide the body with adequate physical exercise every day.
In addition, the treatment of uterine varicose veins includes maintaining a balanced diet. During treatment, it is important to supplement your daily menu with the maximum amount of fruit, vegetables, bran, fermented milk components, and foods rich in iodine. In addition, adherence to the drinking regimen was also shown. The diet also includes rejecting fried, fatty, smoked and spicy foods, sweets and other sweets.
How to treat uterine varicose veins? In addition to diet and medication, women are advised to go swimming, take regular contrast showers, and perform lymphatic drainage massages. All of these procedures will significantly speed up the healing process.
other treatments
In some cases, uterine varices may be an indication for surgical intervention. Often, specialists will resort to surgery in strongly progressive cases of pathology. During the surgical intervention, the damaged blood vessel is completely removed and replaced with a special prosthesis.
In addition, uterine varicose veins can be treated laparoscopically. During this procedure, the integrity of the skin is not destroyed, only small punctures are made in it, through which the damaged veins are removed. In X-ray endovascular surgery, the process is fully controlled with the help of special equipment. In this case, the catheter is inserted into the blood vessel.
In some cases, drug therapy is combined with folk recipes. Good results in fighting varicose veins can be achieved with the help of horse chestnut, kombucha, dandelion and other medicinal plants. But only after agreement with a gynecologist.
Features of childbirth
If a woman suffers from varicose veins during pregnancy, a perfectly logical question always arises about childbirth. In this case, the patient can be assigned a caesarean section and a natural delivery. The final decision is always in the hands of the doctor. In general, the situation depends on the degree of neglect of the pathology and the threat to the life of the mother and baby.
prevention
To prevent the onset of varicose veins, you should stick to a healthy lifestyle, eat right, and try to provide your body with normal physical activity. If you are at risk of developing this condition, you should contact a specialist who will help you choose the right IV.
Varicose veins are considered a very serious pathology. This is why it is very important to treat the disease in time to prevent the development of various complications.
Effect
As mentioned earlier, varicose veins of the uterus are considered a dangerous condition that is almost asymptomatic. This is why this defect often leads to various complications. Mostly, women on the background of varicose veins face such complications:
- interruption of the menstrual cycle;
- placental insufficiency;
- venous thrombosis;
- Thrombophlebitis.
Some women consider pathology a contraindication to intimacy. However, that's not the case: if it doesn't cause discomfort, you can have sex. However, regarding the use of oral contraceptives, it is worth consulting a gynecologist. In general, these drugs for varicose veins are strictly contraindicated. So in order to prevent various complications later, you should choose another birth control method.