Chronic pelvic pain is very painful as it affects your lower back and nerves. It makes you experience pressure on your lower pelvis, a burning sensation when you urinate, and needing to empty your bladder often. Different conditions can cause your pain, meaning you may have multiple symptoms. Luckily Alate Health specialists can help you find your pain’s root cause and enjoy a healthy life.
Past pregnancies, especially if you have more than one child, are considered one of the most remarkable risk factors for pelvic congestion syndrome. This is because pregnancy can change the pelvis structure, affecting the blood vessels.
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When Do You Need to See Your Doctor?
If you experience pelvic pain for more than six months, you need to visit your doctor for a diagnosis. Other symptoms to look for are:
- Pain during or after sexual intercourse.
- Lower back pain.
- Pain in legs.
- Unusual vaginal bleeding and vaginal discharge.
- Varicose veins in the genital region or legs.
- Pelvic pain when you stand for long.
- Swollen vulva and hemorrhoids.
What Causes Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
Varicose veins on your ovaries and your reproductive tract can cause pelvic congestion syndrome. When your valves fail to flow blood properly, it causes blood to pool in the vein, causing the vein to expand forming varicose veins in your pelvis.
Diagnosis of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
Your doctor will review your medical history and request to know your family history. Together you will talk through your symptoms to help identify the cause of your pain. Your doctor will also ask you to come back for further tests.
Imaging Tests
Your doctor will request imaging tests such as an Ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, Venogram, and Laparoscopy to get a clear view of your soft tissue and check for any presence of enlarged blood vessels. An ultrasound will give your doctor an image of the pelvic region, while a CT scan will provide a cross-sectional illustration of your body. An MRI will provide a picture from the inside of the body.
A venogram will show your doctor the condition of your veins and if there are any abnormalities. A laparoscopy gives your doctor a clear view of your pelvic organs and examines them for any exceptions.
PCS Treatment
Your doctor will discuss the different treatment options available for pelvic congestion syndrome, medication, and embolization.
Medication
Your doctor may recommend no steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and hormonal medication to treat pelvic congestion syndrome, if your pain is not severe, you can manage to continue your life without it interfering.
Embolization
Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure performed in the outpatient. Your doctor will insert a small metal coil into the affected veins, guided by an X-ray to block blood flow through varicose veins. The varicose veins are completely closed up from the inside.
After the procedure, your doctor will allow you to rest a bit before going back home. You can perform light duties the following day and return to your normal daily activities after one week.
For more details on how to get relief from your pelvic congestion syndrome, call or book an appointment online with Alate Health.