women s health issues
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
Introduction
Pelvic congestion syndrome is long-lasting (chronic) pain in the lowest part of the abdomen (pelvis) caused by accumulation of blood in veins of the pelvis, which have widened (dilated) and become convoluted. Pelvic congestion syndrome seems to be a common cause of chronic Pelvic Pain in Women (pelvic pain lasting more than 6 months). Pain occurs because blood accumulates in veins of the pelvis, which have dilated and become convoluted (called varicose veins). The resulting pain is sometimes debilitating. Women may also have Varicose Veins in the buttocks, thighs, vagina, or vulva. Many women of childbearing age have varicose veins in their pelvis, but not all of them have symptoms. Why some women develop symptoms is unknown. Most women with pelvic congestion syndrome are aged 20 to 45 years and have had several pregnancies. 