The reasons why a woman visits her gynecologist can be very diverse, ranging from prenatal visits to bleeding and menstrual pain. Sometimes the definitive diagnosis of a disease is reached not by relating the symptoms to that disease but by ruling out the possibility that some other condition may cause those symptoms. When a woman who has had several deliveries has constant pain located in the pelvic region, which cannot be associated with any other disease, it can be thought that it is pelvic congestion syndrome. In this FastlyHealarticle, we will give you information related to pelvic congestion syndrome: symptoms and treatment.
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What is pelvic congestion syndrome?
Pelvic congestion syndrome is one of the leading causes of pelvic pain in women, which cannot be attributed to any other apparent condition, and is related to an abnormal distribution of the veins in the region, also called varicocele. Female or pelvic varicose veins produce poor blood distribution and, as a consequence, the syndrome. It mainly affects women who have had several deliveries and a family history of varicose veins.
Causes of pelvic congestion syndrome
Although it is not entirely clarified, most of the investigations indicate that the poor distribution of the pelvic veins is due to various factors that combine to cause it, among which the mechanical factor related to the increase in venous demand during pregnancy, which may be enough to cause changes in the veins. During pregnancy, the number of blood vessels in the uterus increases, which in some instances remain until after delivery. Some of the veins formed can dilate and alter blood flow, thus causing the syndrome.
Another possible cause is the presence of defects or absence of particular veins, which can cause reflux in the veins present, contributing to the development of symptoms. Hormones, especially estrogen, have also been linked to the onset of the syndrome by causing vasodilation, making the veins unable to prevent blood reflux efficiently and worsening the syndrome.
Symptoms of pelvic congestion syndrome
The most characteristic symptom of pelvic congestion syndrome is a pain in the pelvic area that cannot be related to any other cause. This pain is chronic with an evolution of more than six months, constant, and mainly located in the area corresponding to the ovaries. Intercourse can be painful, and there may be other disorders such as bleeding and excessive pain with menstruation and urinary infections.
In the region of the vulva, the thighs, and the buttocks, varicose veins may appear, while the territory of the cervix turns bluish due to the congestion of venous blood.
Treatment for pelvic congestion syndrome
To plan an adequate treatment for each case, the first and most crucial step is to make a correct diagnosis and rule out that some other alteration causes the symptoms. It is necessary to correlate the patient’s medical history, physical examination, pain characteristics, and diagnostic studies, such as pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound, doppler ultrasound of ovarian veins, computed tomography, laparoscopy, and selective ovarian venography is more specific for these cases.
Once diagnosed, there are several options for treating pelvic varicose veins. The first is the implementation of medications to stabilize blood flow in the congestion area, for which contraceptives with a preference for medroxyprogesterone acetate, phlebotomist agents such as disodium flavoxate, diosmin, grape seed extract, and Centella can be used. Asiatic and selective vasoconstrictors such as dihydroergotamine.
The second treatment option, and the one with the highest success rate for the resolution of pelvic congestion syndrome, is surgical intervention. Different procedures can be performed, such as laparoscopic obliteration of the ovarian veins, open vein ligation, uterine ventrosuspension, and more recent techniques, such as percutaneous embolization of pelvic venous vessels.
Regardless of what type of treatment is decided to carry out, there is the possibility of also implementing the taking of antidepressants and psychotherapy because an emotional component has always been related to this condition.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Pelvic congestion syndrome: symptoms and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Female reproductive system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.