Could my pelvic pain be from varicose veins?
I have pelvic pain that starts 3-4 days before my period and last 3-4 days after the bleeding has stopped. My gynecologist was sure it was endometriosis. He did a laparoscopy, D&C and ablation.He didn't find endometriosis but did see varicose veins.Could this be my problem?
Answers from doctors (13)
Yes. Internal pelvic varicosities can form and cause pain. These are difficult to diagnose and treat.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The pelvic pain certainly could be caused by varicose veins that are not visible from the outside of your body. These varicose veins can only be seen from the inside during the surgery that you had. A hysterectomy and oophorectomy may be necessary to remove the varicose veins on the inside of your abdomen and in the pelvic area.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Varicose veins on legs are occasionally associated with veins inside the abdomen. The symptoms that you are describing may be similar to varicose veins that may be found in the abdomen called pelvic congestion syndrome. It would be best to have yourself evaluated by a phlebologist or a vascular surgeon.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Most likely. Varicose veins can be anywhere in the body and can cause a lot of pain at times, especially in women during menstruation. An ultrasound at a vein clinic would be the next step to take.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You most likely have pelvic congestion syndrome.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You could have pelvic congestion syndrome. In order to diagnose this, a CT of the abdomen and pelvis with venous phase will need to be done to visualize the pelvic veins. If you do have PCS, then you will need to see either an interventional radiologist or a vascular surgeon.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, it could be, and the condition is called pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS).
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, it could.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, it could. You need imaging of these veins, done by a radiologist: CT, MRI venography. Then they can occlude the bad veins with slcerotherapy +/- coils.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The symptoms that you describe are not uncommon in women who have vulvar varicosities. This is a condition where the woman has varicose veins in and around their vulvar region. Normally when a woman has her period, it is due to surges in her female hormone levels. These hormones not only prepare a woman for pregnancy, they also allow for increased blood flow to the female organs by causing vascular dilation in and around the pelvic region. When this happens in the presence of varicose veins, it allows for an increase in inflammation in those veins resulting in increased discomfort. Thus the pain before and after your period (the time when the female hormones are at their peak). As the hormones decrease, the pain decreases. Treating your vulvar veins may eliminate your pain.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, your pelvic pain could be related to vulvar varicose veins. These veins can, quite often, cause pain during the premenstrual period, the menstrual period itself and for several days after.
I would suggest that you consult a vascular surgeon and discuss the various treatment options which might be open to you in addressing this issue.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Varicose veins in the pelvis clearly can cause pelvic pain or pain with intercourse. Sometimes the problem is failure of the one-way valves in an ovarian vein which allows blood to flow downward with gravity into the pelvis causing high venous pressures which stretch the veins and cause pain. Sometimes, the problem is compression of veins in the pelvis by overlying structures such as an artery. This partial obstruction causes venous blood to build up pressure below the blockage which stretches the pelvic veins leading to pain.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
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