Understanding Pelvic Venous Disorders

Understanding Pelvic Venous Disorders

Pelvic venous congestion is a condition that occurs when the veins in your pelvis do not function properly. The blood that is returning from below your abdomen moves slowly, which causes blood to pool and varicose veins to form. This can lead to uncomfortable symptoms that can negatively impact your quality of life, including pelvic pain. It is estimated that this affects up to thirty percent of individuals with chronic pelvic pain and is most likely to develop in women who have previously given birth. The hormonal and physical changes associated with pregnancy are thought to be the primary cause of pelvic venous Disorders. If you have been diagnosed with pelvic venous disorders or suspect that you might have it, here is what you need to know about understanding the condition.

Symptoms of Pelvic Venous Disorders
It is common for individuals to experience a variety of symptoms that could be confused with other health conditions. The following symptoms could be consistent with a pelvic venous disorder:

Chronic pelvic pain, which can worsen after certain activities such as sexual intercourse or walking
Varicose veins in the pelvic or genital area
Painful intercourse
Heavy and/or painful menses

If you experience one or more of these symptoms, be sure to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to determine the cause.

Diagnosing Pelvic Venous Disorders
Diagnosing these conditions can be a challenge since there are many other causes of pelvic pain. In order to determine if you may have pelvic venous congestion, your healthcare provider may use a variety of modalities including:

Careful review of your medical history and symptoms
Performing a physical examination
Imaging such as:
- Ultrasound
- Computed Tomography (CT) scan
- Diagnostic pelvic venogram

Differential Diagnosis for Pelvic Venous Disorders
Due to similarities in their symptoms, there are many other conditions that could be mistaken for a pelvic venous disorder. These include:

Endometriosis
Adenomyosis
Ovarian cysts
Chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Finding a healthcare provider who you can trust and who is willing to perform the necessary tests to differentiate this diagnosis from other conditions that can also cause pelvic pain is the best way to achieve an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment Options for Pelvic Venous Disorders:
There is no cure, and in most instances these conditions cannot be prevented. However, there are a variety of treatment options that can help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Some of these include:

Conservative management
- Lifestyle modifications
- Pain management techniques
- Close surveillance
Minimally invasive interventions
- Transcatheter embolization of incompetent pelvic veins
Surgical interventions
- Ligation of incompetent veins
- Hysterectomy

Manage Your Pelvic Venous Disorders with The Vascular Institute
Anyone with a Pelvic Venous Disorder will tell you that their symptoms can make performing normal daily activities difficult. Fortunately, it is possible to keep your pelvic pain and other symptoms under control with an effective treatment strategy. At The Vascular Institute of the Rockies, our experienced team can provide an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan to help you regain your life back. If you are living with the negative effects of this condition, do not wait to schedule a free consultation.

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