Pelvic Venous Congestion Syndrome
Conditions > Bondi Vein Clinic
What is Pelvic Venous Congestion Syndrome ?
Pelvic venous congestion syndrome is also known as ovarian vein reflux. It is a cause of chronic pelvic pain in approximately 13-40% of women. It is often caused by dilatation of the ovarian and/or pelvic veins, rather like varicose veins but in the pelvis. The pressure resulting from the varicosity of pelvic veins results in the pain of pelvic congestion syndrome and may also cause visible varicose veins around the vulva, vagina, inner thighs, sometimes the buttocks and down the legs.
What is Pelvic Venous Congestion Syndrome ?
Pelvic venous congestion syndrome is also known as ovarian vein reflux. It is a cause of chronic pelvic pain in approximately 13-40% of women. It is often caused by dilatation of the ovarian and/or pelvic veins, rather like varicose veins but in the pelvis. The pressure resulting from the varicosity of pelvic veins results in the pain of pelvic congestion syndrome and may also cause visible varicose veins around the vulva, vagina, inner thighs, sometimes the buttocks and down the legs.
Causes of Pelvic Venous Congestion?
The cause of the dilated ovarian/pelvic veins in pelvic congestion syndrome is poorly understood. Pelvic congestion syndrome most commonly occurs in young women, and usually in women who have had at least 2-3 children. During pregnancy the ovarian vein can be compressed by the enlarging womb or enlarged because of the increased blood flow. This is thought to affect the valves in the vein causing them to stop working and allowing the blood to flow backwards, contributing to pelvic congestion syndrome. There are other causes that may cause obstruction to the ovarian and pelvic veins leading to pelvic congestion syndrome, which are much less common, and are the result of vein obstruction. Pelvic congestion syndrome may also be associated with polycystic ovaries. The absence of the vein valves due to abnormal development may be a contributing factor.
Causes of Pelvic Venous Congestion?
The cause of the dilated ovarian/pelvic veins in pelvic congestion syndrome is poorly understood. Pelvic congestion syndrome most commonly occurs in young women, and usually in women who have had at least 2-3 children. During pregnancy the ovarian vein can be compressed by the enlarging womb or enlarged because of the increased blood flow. This is thought to affect the valves in the vein causing them to stop working and allowing the blood to flow backwards, contributing to pelvic congestion syndrome. There are other causes that may cause obstruction to the ovarian and pelvic veins leading to pelvic congestion syndrome, which are much less common, and are the result of vein obstruction. Pelvic congestion syndrome may also be associated with polycystic ovaries. The absence of the vein valves due to abnormal development may be a contributing factor.
