Chronic pelvic pain that worsens after standing all day and during menstrual cycles may point to dilated ovarian veins rather than a gynecological cause.
Soris Pain & Vascular Institute performs minimally invasive embolization to close these dysfunctional veins at our outpatient centers.
Pelvic congestion syndrome is a chronic pain condition caused by incompetent valves in the ovarian or internal iliac veins, allowing blood to pool in dilated pelvic varicosities that compress surrounding nerves and pelvic structures.
Dull, aching pelvic pain that worsens with prolonged standing, after intercourse, and during menstruation is among the primary symptoms. Visible varicose veins on the vulva, inner thighs, or buttocks and a sensation of pelvic heaviness or fullness accompany the pain.
Pelvic congestion syndrome can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms overlap with many gynecologic conditions. Standard pelvic exams and routine ultrasounds may not always identify the abnormal pelvic veins. Additional vascular imaging, such as pelvic venography, may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Women who have had two or more pregnancies face the highest risk due to increased pelvic vein diameter and hormonal changes. Premenopausal women between 20 and 50 account for most diagnoses.
Estrogen dilates vein walls, explaining why symptoms often worsen premenstrually. Obesity and a family history of varicose veins further increase the likelihood of developing pelvic venous insufficiency.
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome Embolization delivers coils and sclerosant through a catheter to close the refluxing ovarian and internal iliac veins. Our physicians perform this procedure at Soris Pain & Vascular Institute through a single puncture at the neck or groin.
The procedure takes 60 to 90 minutes. Patients return home the same day and resume normal activities within 1 to 2 days. Published studies report symptom improvement in 80 to 85 percent of treated women.
Hormonal suppression with medroxyprogesterone and GnRH agonists reduces pelvic vein congestion. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute considers embolization for patients who prefer a definitive nonhormonal approach.
Related Conditions
Pelvic congestion syndrome shares symptoms with endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and ovarian cysts. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute differentiates these conditions with venography and MRI.
Varicose veins in the legs may coexist with pelvic varicosities. Treating the pelvic source can resolve recurrent leg varicose veins that fail standard vein treatment.
FAQ
Endometriosis involves uterine tissue growing outside the uterus. Pelvic congestion syndrome involves dilated pelvic veins. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute uses venography to distinguish venous from gynecological causes of pelvic pain.
Published data shows 80 to 85 percent of women experience significant pain reduction after embolization. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute monitors outcomes at 1, 3, and 6 months post-procedure.
Embolization carries a low complication rate. Mild pelvic cramping for 1 to 2 days is the most common post-procedure effect. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute provides detailed pre-procedure counseling.
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