Pelvic Congestion Syndrome or Pelvic Venous Congestion Syndrome is not a "go-to" diagnosis for pelvic pain (including vestibulodynia), but it can mimic many of the symptoms. It is having varicose-like veins in the pelvis that are causing pelvic pain. The kinds of doctor one might consult would be an interventional radiologist, a physiatrist or physical medicine doctor who has a pelvic specialty, a vascular doctor, or maybe a urogynecologist (this would be the kind of doctor easiest to find.)
From this website: Pelvic Venous Congestion Syndrome
For some women, the cause of their pelvic pain is a condition known as pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS). It may go undiagnosed simply because physicians are often unfamiliar with it or fail to look for it.
Symptoms
Causes of pelvic congestion syndrome
From this website: Pelvic Venous Congestion Syndrome
For some women, the cause of their pelvic pain is a condition known as pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS). It may go undiagnosed simply because physicians are often unfamiliar with it or fail to look for it.
Symptoms
- Pelvic pain or aching around the pelvis and lower abdomen
- Dragging sensation or pain in the pelvis
- Feeling of fullness in the legs
- Worsening of stress incontinence
- Worsening in the symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome
Pelvic congestion syndrome occurs when varicose veins develop around the ovaries, similar to varicose veins that occur in the legs. Then:
The valves in the veins no longer function normally.
This causes blood to back up.
The veins become engorged or “congested,” which can be very painful.
Treatment for pelvic congestion syndrome
The valves in the veins no longer function normally.
This causes blood to back up.
The veins become engorged or “congested,” which can be very painful.
Treatment for pelvic congestion syndrome
Treatments for PCS include:
Hormonal medications
Embolization, a minimally invasive catheter procedure to “plug” the varicose vein
The term is easily google-able. It is something you consider when nothing else seems to make sense.
Hormonal medications
Embolization, a minimally invasive catheter procedure to “plug” the varicose vein
The term is easily google-able. It is something you consider when nothing else seems to make sense.