Over 50 million women will experience chronic pelvic pain during their lifetime due to varicose veins hidden deep in the pelvis, a condition called pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS).

 

Unlike varicose veins in the legs, these veins are not visible and harder to access. For many women, finally getting a proper diagnosis and treatment for PCS is an overwhelming relief.

Symptoms of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

 

Signs of pelvic congestion syndrome include:
● A dull, aching pain in the pelvic region, or low back that worsens when you stand for long periods and when you have your period
● Irritable bladder that can lead to stress incontinence (losing urine when you sneeze, for example)
● Alternating diarrhea and constipation
● Discomfort after sexual intercourse
● Varicose veins in and around the vagina and vulva
● Varicose veins on the tops or backs of the thighs

Treatment for Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

The most effective treatment for pelvic congestion syndrome is a minimally invasive interventional radiology procedure called ovarian vein embolization or pelvic vein embolization. The procedure is similar to how interventional radiologists treat varicose veins in the legs.

First, a small tube is inserted through a tiny nick in the skin and guided via real-time imaging to the abnormal ovarian vein and pelvic veins. A sclerosing agent is injected into the problem vein, or small coils or plugs are placed to block the flow of blood. This causes the vein to collapse and seal off. The body naturally re-routes blood to other, healthy veins within the pelvis, and symptoms resolve.

Benefits of Ovarian Vein Embolization

Ovarian vein embolization is an excellent alternative to hysterectomy for treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome. Its benefits include:
● Much lower risk of bleeding or complications
● Faster recovery (return to normal activities in a day or two, full recovery in a week)
● 80% success rate in pain reduction

We treat the following: