Pelvic Congestion Syndrome, or PCS, is a common health issue for women that is caused by several different factors- including vein problems- and consists of chronic pelvic pain.
What Is Pelvic Congestion Syndrome?
One reason for chronic pelvic pain and PCS specifically is vein problems. If you are a woman experiencing pain in the lower abdomen of the pelvis, your veins may have changed shape or become enlarged as they would with varicose veins. This most commonly occurs in women who have recently been pregnant and can become worse with subsequent pregnancies.
Symptoms of PCS
Pelvic pain that lasts longer than a few months is the clearest symptom of PCS. Other symptoms include:
- Light pain in your abdomen and/or lower back while sitting and/or standing.
- Upset bladder and/or gut.
- Swollen veins in pelvic area.
- An increase in pain while standing, walking, and during sex.
- Heightened pain during menstrual cycle.
- Sudden and extreme needs to urinate.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and suspect you may have PCS, it is vital that you schedule an appointment to be checked out. The presence of these symptoms is not necessary for a PCS diagnosis; you may only experience chronic pelvic pain. Therefore, a proper and thorough evaluation is crucial to receiving a correct diagnosis and treatment.
Because pelvic pain is common in women and can occur for a variety of reasons, the connection between PCS and vein issues is largely overlooked. Venous disorders associated with pelvic pain can fly secretly under the radar until correctly identified. While unidentified, the reason for pelvic pain is often attributed to intestinal or bladder problems and even female reproductive concerns. This is because symptoms of pelvic pain may worsen before menstruation or after intercourse.
Pelvic pain that refuses to go away on its own and has been proven to not be associated with any other common pelvic issues should be treated with priority and checked out by an abdominal/pelvic venous color duplex ultrasound and an additional evaluation on venous flow. This non-invasive test will help you rule out that vein issues are not the cause of your pelvic pain. There are only a few clinics that can perform this evaluation, and luckily, Refine Vein Center has this exam available for our patients. If the results of your exam conclude that venous obstruction is present in your abdomen or pelvic region, we will get you started on the right treatment plan so you, too, can experience the immediate improvements our other clients have felt after targeting the real issue of their pain.
Contact our office at 615.716.VEIN to schedule an appointment today.
