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Pelvic Pain

Vascular & Interventional Associates -  - Board Certified Vein and Vascular Specialist

 

  

As many as 40% of chronic pelvic pain cases are due to unhealthy veins in the pelvis or ovaries. You don’t need to suffer from pelvic pain. The Board Certified Vein and Vascular Specialists of Crestview Hills, KY, Northern Kentucky, and Cincinnati, OH feature a team of board-certified vascular and interventional radiologists who diagnose the source of the pain and provide expert care. Take a step for your well-being today by calling the office or booking a consultation online.

Pelvic Pain Q & A

What causes pelvic pain?

Up to 40% of women with chronic pelvic pain may have a pelvic venous disorder or pelvic venous congestion syndrome. Pelvic venous congestion syndrome is a painful condition typically triggered by dilation of your ovarian and/or pelvic veins. 

This dilation is like varicose veins in the legs, except it’s in your pelvis. This syndrome causes blood to pool, causing enlarged, bulging pelvic veins. You may see the bulging veins around your:

  • Vulva
  • Vagina
  • Inner thigh

Sometimes these bulging veins appear on your buttocks and legs.

What does pelvic pain feel like?

Pelvic pain is often concentrated on one side, but it can affect both sides of your body. The pain changes with movement, growing sharper when you’re lifting objects or standing. It also may worsen during or after sex and during pregnancy.

Hormones released during your menstrual cycle also may make pelvic pain sharper. Pelvic pain often subsides when you lie down.

What are the signs of pelvic venous congestion syndrome?

Persistent pelvic pain is a chief symptom of pelvic venous congestion syndrome. You also might experience some of the following symptoms:

  • Aching around your pelvis
  • Lower abdominal pain
  • Dragging sensation in your pelvis
  • A feeling of fullness in your legs

If you already suffer from stress incontinence or irritable bowel syndrome, the symptoms of these conditions might get worse.

How do I know what is causing my pelvic pain?

Your board-certified provider at Vascular & Interventional Associates determines whether you have pelvic venous congestion syndrome or a related disorder by reviewing your symptoms and looking for visible varicose veins. 

They typically suggest imaging tests to complete your diagnosis. For example, an ultrasound can detect abnormal veins below the surface and show whether blood is flowing properly through your veins. 

For veins inside your pelvis, your provider may recommend a special ultrasound called a transvaginal ultrasound. This type of ultrasound uses a probe that goes into your vagina to help visualize the veins in your ovaries and pelvis.

In some cases, your provider recommends further investigation to pinpoint the location of the problematic veins. They may suggest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), or pelvic venography. 

Pelvic venography is a minimally invasive test. Your provider injects dye into a vein, then watches the dye on an X-ray to look for blockages and backflow in your veins.

Once your provider pinpoints the cause of your pelvic pain, they recommend an appropriate treatment plan for you.

Why suffer with pelvic pain? Let one of our experts find the source of your pain. Call today or book a consultation online with Vascular & Interventional Associates.

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