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Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

Coastal Vascular Center

Vascular & Endovascular Surgeons located in Oxnard, Camarillo, & Simi Valley, CA

If chronic pelvic pain continues after you have a baby, you may have a condition known as pelvic congestion syndrome that causes varicose veins. The experienced medical team at Coastal Vascular Center offers comprehensive diagnostics and care at their offices in Simi Valley, Camarillo, and Oxnard, California. Custom treatment plans focus on alleviating pain and other symptoms of varicose veins. Find out more about treatments for pelvic congestion syndrome by scheduling an evaluation online or by calling the office nearest you.

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome Q & A

What is pelvic congestion syndrome?

Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is a chronic condition that causes varicose veins to form in a woman’s pelvic region.

Varicose veins are bulging, twisted veins that develop when the valves in the veins fail to prevent blood from flowing backward. This backflow of blood pools in the vein, and causes it to enlarge.

Pregnancy is often the cause of pelvic congestion syndrome due to changes that occur in the blood vessels leading up to childbirth, and because of the excess pressure, the baby puts on the veins.

What are the symptoms of pelvic congestion syndrome?

Pelvic pain is one of the most common symptoms of pelvic congestion syndrome. Women may notice that pain increases after long periods of standing and during or after sex.

Other common symptoms of PCS include:

  • Back pain
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Painful menstruation
  • Abnormal bleeding
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Increased need to urinate

Because these symptoms can relate to other medical issues, it’s important you schedule a diagnostic appointment at Coastal Vascular Center as soon as possible.

How is pelvic congestion syndrome diagnosed?

To confirm the cause of your symptoms, your Coastal Vascular Center specialist may order imaging tests, like an ultrasound, or a laparoscopy procedure to evaluate the inner structures of your pelvis.

Laparoscopy involves the insertion of a scope with an attached camera that sends real-time images of your pelvic region to an external monitor that your doctor views to identify problems.

What treatments are available for pelvic congestion syndrome?

There is no cure for pelvic congestion syndrome, but the goal of treatment is to alleviate your symptoms and prevent additional health complications.

Initially, you may benefit from pain relievers and anti-inflammatories to increase your comfort. If pain and other symptoms are interfering with your quality of life, you may be a good candidate for a pelvic vein embolization procedure.

Pelvic vein embolization is a minimally invasive surgery that blocks off varicose veins causing your pain. The procedure involves the insertion of special coils that help clot your blood and seal off the damaged vein.

After a careful review of your medical history and the severity of your symptoms, your Coastal Vascular Center doctor can determine if embolization is the right treatment for you.

Learn more about the benefits of pelvic vein embolization and the other treatments available for pelvic congestion syndrome by calling Coastal Vascular Center or book a consultation online now.