Varicose veins of the legs is a pathology well known to many modern people firsthand. Almost every third woman of reproductive age faces her. But such a diagnosis as "uterine varicose veins" is able to lead any patient into fright and bewilderment. After all, this disease is very rare and is little known. In addition, this disease is difficult to diagnose, because it often proceeds almost asymptomatically.
What it is
Uterine varicose veins (see photo above) is a disease in which the walls of the vessels become too thin, long and inelastic. Many believe that this can only happen with the legs, but in reality this is not so at all. In fact, varicose veins can originate in any part of the body through which the vessels pass.
It is not surprising that uterine varicose veins are diagnosed quite often, but despite its prevalence, it carries a huge danger. Usually, this defect occurs with a mild clinical picture. In addition, its symptoms are often perceived as symptoms of diseases of the reproductive organs, which only exacerbates the situation due to the lack of necessary treatment.
Often, pathology can only be detected during pregnancy. Indeed, it is during this period that the woman’s body undergoes the most thorough and detailed diagnosis.
Causes
Different conditions can lead to a disease. Among them, experts identify several main causes of uterine varicose veins.
- Hormonal imbalance. The female body is constantly exposed to jumps in the levels of vital elements with every menstrual cycle. In addition, hormonal disorders often occur during menopause and pregnancy, as well as when taking oral contraceptives.
- Regular abortions.
- Pathology of the reproductive organs. The greatest danger in themselves are diseases that occur for a long time without appropriate treatment.
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Frequent birth.
- Bearing a large child.
- Congenital malformations concerning the vessels of the uterine cavity.
Risk group
Among other things, the likelihood of developing uterine varicose veins is significantly increased under the influence of such conditions:
- obesity;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- addictions;
- excessive physical activity;
- endocrine pathologies;
- an increase in the size of the organ itself.
During pregnancy, this disease appears against the background of the release of progesterone into the bloodstream. This hormone is able not only to reduce the tone of reproductive elements, but also the walls of blood vessels. As a result, they are oversaturated with blood due to disruptions in the outflow process and are greatly stretched.
It is noteworthy that the pathology can also cover other organs of the genitourinary system. Less commonly diagnosed are varicose veins of the neck, ovaries and even external reproductive parts of the body.
Symptomatology
Usually, signs of uterine varicose veins are mild. In addition, they often resemble manifestations of inflammation, as a result of which the true pathology simply goes unnoticed.
Most often, the disease is detected during pregnancy, because it is at this time that the organ is subjected to the greatest load, which contributes to the rapid progression of the defect. Usually, the following symptoms are the first symptoms of uterine varicose veins:
- pain in the lower abdomen, aggravating or arising after physical exertion and intimacy, can give to the lower back;
- an abnormal change in the menstrual cycle - the discharge becomes too scarce, and their duration increases;
- there is an increased sensitivity of the vagina;
- during the bearing of the child, the disease manifests itself as a sensation of fullness in hypogastrium.
By the way, many women take the last symptom for the onset of preterm birth.
Usually, the disease is extremely difficult to identify by symptoms. Treatment of uterine varicose veins is often delayed precisely because of the difficulties of diagnosis. That is why many women are faced with complications of this disease.
Varicose veins of the uterus carry a great danger, since the thinned and dilated walls of the vessels can be injured and ruptured. Against the background of these processes, anemia occurs. In addition, this disease can cause complications during childbirth and labor.
Uterine varicose veins has an erased clinical picture, while it poses a threat to a woman’s health. Finding it is always extremely difficult, so you should use all kinds of examinations and go through them as carefully as possible.
Diagnostics
It is simply impossible to diagnose "varicose veins in the uterus" only on the basis of a gynecological examination and a collected history. After all, any specific manifestations of this disease are unusual. To detect intrauterine varicose veins, a woman is recommended for ultrasound dopplerography. This procedure makes it possible to carefully examine the state of the vessels in the uterus and determine the presence of the disease. In addition, the patient may be assigned auxiliary examinations:
- laparoscopy;
- CT scan of the pelvic organs;
- selective ovarianography;
- phlebography.
In addition, the possibility of the presence of endometriosis, neuropathy that appeared after surgery, deviations in the localization of the uterus, and inflammatory processes in the intestine should be excluded. In other words, it is very important to conduct differential diagnosis. After all, the symptoms of the described conditions are very similar to the manifestations of varicose veins.
Choosing the appropriate treatment regimen can only be a complete diagnosis.
Uterine varicose veins - what to do
In the treatment of this disease, both conservative and surgical techniques have been successfully applied. Two specialists are simultaneously solving this problem: a phlebologist and a gynecologist.
Conservative therapy involves the use of:
- antiplatelet agents - Pentoxifylline;
- venotonic agents - Detralex, Angileks, Phlebodia;
- anti-inflammatory drugs - "Diclofenac" and "Movalis".
It is worth saying that during the gestation of the baby, all the proposed medicines are contraindicated. So the patient during pregnancy is recommended therapeutic exercise. Also, women at this time are shown wearing compression underwear.
After completing drug therapy, the patient should adhere to a healthy lifestyle. It is imperative to abandon addictions and provide the body with full physical activity every day.
In addition, the treatment of uterine varicose veins involves maintaining a balanced diet. During the treatment period, it is very important to replenish your daily menu with the maximum amount of fruits, vegetables, bran, fermented milk components, as well as products saturated with iodine. In addition, compliance with the drinking regimen is shown. The diet also involves the rejection of fried, fatty, smoked and spicy dishes, pastries and other sweets.
How to treat uterine varicose veins? In addition to following a diet and taking medications, a woman is recommended to engage in swimming, regularly take a contrast shower and attend lymphatic drainage massage. All these procedures will significantly speed up the healing process.
Other treatments
In some cases, varicose veins of the uterus may be an indication for surgery. Usually, specialists resort to surgery with a strong progression of the pathology. During the surgical procedure, damaged vessels are completely removed and replaced with special prostheses.
Uterine varicose veins can also be treated with laparoscopy. During this procedure, the integrity of the skin is not violated, only small punctures are made in it, through which damaged veins are removed. At the time of X-ray endovascular surgery, the process is fully controlled with the help of special devices. In this case, catheters are inserted into the vessels.
In some cases, drug therapy is combined with alternative recipes. A good result in the fight against varicose veins can be achieved with horse chestnut, kombucha, dandelion and other medicinal plants. But you can use them only after agreement with the gynecologist.
Features of childbirth
If during pregnancy a woman has varicose veins of the uterus, a logical question always arises regarding delivery. In such cases, the patient may be prescribed both a cesarean section and a natural birth. The final decision is always up to the doctor. In general, the situation depends on the degree of neglect of the pathology and the presence of danger to the life of the mother and child.
Prevention
To prevent the onset of varicose veins, you should adhere to a healthy lifestyle, eat right, try to provide the body with normal physical activity. If there is a risk of developing the disease, you should consult a specialist who will help you choose the appropriate venotonic agents.
Varicose veins is considered a very serious pathology. That is why it is very important when the disease occurs in time to engage in its treatment in order to prevent the development of all sorts of complications.
Effects
As already mentioned, varicose veins of the uterus is considered a dangerous disease, which is almost asymptomatic. That is why this defect often entails the occurrence of various complications. Most often, women against the background of varicose veins encounter such complications:
- disruptions in the menstrual cycle;
- placental insufficiency;
- vein thrombosis;
- thrombophlebitis.
Some women believe that pathology is a contraindication to intimacy. However, in reality this is not so: it is possible to have sex if it does not cause discomfort. But with regards to the use of oral contraceptives, it is worth consulting a gynecologist. As a rule, such drugs for varicose veins are strictly prohibited. So to prevent all sorts of complications in the future, you should choose a different method of contraception.