Nonsurgical Procedure Is Effective Treatment forPainful Ovarian Varicose Veins
It is estimated that one-third of all
women will experience chronic pelvic pain in their lifetime. Many of these women
are told the problem is "all in their head," but recent advancements now show
the pain may be due to hard-to-detect varicose veins in the pelvis, known as
pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS).
The causes of chronic pelvic pain are varied, but are often associated with
the presence of ovarian and pelvic varicose veins. PCS is similar to varicose
veins in the legs. In both cases, the valves in the veins that help return blood
to the heart against gravity become weakened and don't close properly. This
allows blood to flow backward and pool, causing pressure and bulging veins. In
the pelvis, varicose veins can cause pain and affect the uterus, ovaries and
vulva. Up to 15 percent of women, generally between the ages of 20 and 50, have
varicose veins in the pelvis, although not all experience symptoms.
The diagnosis if often missed because women lie down for a pelvic exam,
relieving pressure from the ovarian veins, so that the veins no longer bulge
with blood as they do while a woman is standing.
Many women with PCS spend many years trying to get an answer to why they have
this chronic pelvic pain. Living with chronic pelvic pain is difficult and
affects not only the woman directly, but also her interactions with her family
and friends, and her general outlook on life. Because the cause of the pelvic
pain is not diagnosed, no therapy is provided even though there is therapy
available.
Prevalence
- Women with PCS are typically less than 45
years old and in their child-bearing years.
- Ovarian veins increase in size
related to previous pregnancies. PCS is unusual in women who have not been
pregnant.
- Chronic pelvic pain accounts for 15 percent of outpatient
gynecologic visits.
- Studies show 30 percent of patients with chronic
pelvic pain have PCS as a sole cause of their pain and an additional 15 percent
have PCS along with another pelvic pathology.
Risk Factors
- Two or more pregnancies and hormonal
increases
- Fullness of leg veins
- Polycystic ovaries
- Hormonal
dysfunction
Symptoms
The chronic pain that is associated with this disease is usually dull and
aching. The pain is usually felt in the lower abdomen and lower back. The pain
often increases during the following times:
- Following intercourse
- Menstrual
periods
- When tired or when standing (worse at end of day)
- Pregnancy
Other symptoms include:
- Irritable bladder
- Abnormal
menstrual bleeding
- Vaginal discharge
- Varicose veins on vulva,
buttocks or thighs
Reprinted with permission of the Society of Interventional Radiology © 2004,
www.SIRweb.org. All rights
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