The reason a lot of women experience chronic pelvic pain, also known as pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS), often remains a mystery to them. It is not that this cannot be diagnosed or treated effectively; it is just the nature of most female examinations that are conducted by doctors or gynecologists. The design of the examinations themselves and the positions these women are placed in keeps them from being diagnosed and treated. Varicose veins cause pelvic congestion syndrome because the latter is caused by the development of varicose veins in the pelvic region.
The After-Effects of Childbirth
Most women who experience pelvic congestion syndrome are still in their child-birthing years, around the age of 45 or less. These women have often had more than one child already. It is very rare to hear of a woman suffering from this kind of discomfort who has not birthed any children.
Pelvic and ovarian varicose veins can be the direct result of more than one childbirth, although there are other reasons for it. These are very similar to varicose veins found in the legs; it is just in a more delicate area. Due to the effects of the strain involved in childbirth, the valves of the veins located in the pelvic and ovarian areas become weakened and are unable to send the blood back to the heart effectively enough. This causes blood to flow back into the veins, which leads to excessive bulging in the veins and pain in these areas.
When a woman goes to the doctor complaining of this pain, she is usually given an examination that involves lying on her back, which takes the excessive blood flow away from the area enough to lead to a misdiagnosis, or no diagnosis for any treatable condition at all.
Hormonal Imbalance or Dysfunction
The reason for the hormonal imbalance in women that can lead to varicose veins and pelvic congestion syndrome comes down to mainly one word: Estrogen. When a woman of childbearing age starts to get older, usually around 35 to 45 years old, hormonal changes take place in the body.
The estrogen that is produced by the body is usually treated like a poison by the liver, which immediately removes it from the woman’s body. When women reach these mid-life ages, hormonal changes can occur that keep the liver from removing the estrogen from the body effectively, causing a build-up of it. This can lead to weight gain and excessive or insufficient blood-flow during their periods, which can lead to varicose veins in the pelvic and ovarian areas.
Whatever the reasons for pelvic congestion syndrome, being diagnosed and receiving the right treatment can be challenging for many women. If you suffer from the symptoms of this condition and are having problems getting your doctor to understand, you might want to seek a second opinion from our team at Miami Vein Center.
At Miami Vein Center, Dr. Jose Almeida is a board certified vascular surgeon who specializes in endovascular venous surgery. His extensive knowledge of veins and vein disorders can help him diagnose and treat any issues you may have with varicose and spider veins – including pelvic congestion. Contact Miami Vein Center today to schedule your consultation.
