Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is one of the leading causes of persistent pelvic discomfort in women, a disorder that can cause substantial disability. Around one-third of all women will have persistent pelvic discomfort at some point in their lives. Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for more than six months and is unrelated to a woman’s menstrual cycle.
A variety of factors can cause chronic pelvic discomfort, and this can make diagnosing a problem. If your discomfort intensifies while you sit or stand but goes away when you lie down, you may have pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS). Dysuria (pain during or after urination) and dysgeusia (ache after or during sexual activity) are further symptoms that some individuals may encounter.
Learn more about the treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome here.
Some facts about Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
It is caused by varicose veins: The pelvis’s varicose veins occur for the same reasons they do in other regions of the body, causing pelvic congestion syndrome. The valves in the veins of the pelvic area may weaken, allowing blood that should be returning to the heart to accumulate in the veins instead. In this example, veins enlarge due to the additional blood pressing upon pelvic tissues.
Women between the ages of 20 and 50 are more likely to have this kind of venous insufficiency; however, not every woman with pelvis’s varicose veins will develop symptoms. It’s unclear what causes vein valves to deteriorate, although hormone changes, numerous pregnancies, and polycystic ovarian disease may all play a role.
The exact cause of PCS is unknown: Anatomic or hormonal abnormalities or malfunction may play a role in its development. The majority of those impacted are women between the ages of 20 and 45 who have had numerous pregnancies.
According to one idea, hormonal changes, weight gain, and anatomic pelvic anatomy changes are thought to increase pressure inside the ovarian veins during pregnancy. This may cause dilatation by weakening the vein wall. Estrogen can also weaken vein walls, making women more susceptible to PCS.
There are numerous associated symptoms: The most prevalent symptom of pelvic congestion syndrome is chronic, dull, agonizing discomfort in the lower back and abdomen. Menstruation, lengthy periods of standing, and intercourse are all times when the discomfort is at its worst. It’s also possible that it’ll develop worse throughout pregnancy.
Varicose veins in the buttocks and thighs affect certain women, as do irregular bleeding or vaginal discharge, irritable bladder, and varicose veins. Pelvic congestion syndrome is a difficult condition to identify. Imaging scans can help clinicians detect the pelvis’s varicose veins after other problems have been ruled out.
It can be prevented: PCS can be difficult to diagnose; therefore, clinicians frequently use a combination of tests. You can, however, prevent PCS by following the below suggestions.
- By boosting blood flow, exercise such as a brisk walk can reduce blood pooling in the pelvic region.
- Constipation, which can increase PCS symptoms, may be reduced by eating a high-fiber diet. Cereals, beans, lentils, and whole-grain rice are examples of high-fiber foods.
- Compression garments should be worn regularly.
- Compression garments are worn during pregnancy.
- Keeping a healthy weight when pregnant.
- Keeping a healthy BMI (body mass index).
Knowing when to see a doctor: If your symptoms worsen, make an appointment with your doctor right away. Pelvic congestion syndrome isn’t generally a medical emergency in itself. Consult your doctor immediately if you’re experiencing a sharp, abrupt ache that won’t go away.
Go to the emergency hospital if your pelvic discomfort becomes incapacitating. They’ll rule out anything potentially life-threatening as a cause of your symptoms. If you have pelvic congestion syndrome, they will work with you to determine the best treatment option.
Various treatments are available: To regulate and relieve pain, painkillers can be prescribed. Hormone therapy and birth control tablets are also beneficial at reducing ovarian activity and so relieving discomfort. Another procedure is ovarian vein embolization, where a catheter (tube) is inserted directly into the aberrant ovarian vein and pelvic veins during this treatment.
Small metal coils or plugs are implanted to impede flow into the ovarian vein, and sclerosing agents (chemicals that cause irritation or inflammation) are injected into the pelvic varicose veins. This stops the aberrant vein from reversing flow, lowering the pressure within the enlarged pelvic veins. Patients are usually treated as outpatients for this treatment.
Researchers are still gaining knowledge. However, some experts believe that hormonal and physical changes during pregnancy may cause pressure to build up in veins near the ovaries.
Estrogen, a reproductive hormone that women produce in greater amounts during pregnancy, can weaken and enlarge the veins in the region. However, most women see a significant improvement in their symptoms after therapy.