Pelvic Venous Congestion (PVCS) Treatment

Pelvic Venous Congestion Syndrome (PVCS)

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What are the treatment options for PVCs? Available treatment options for PVCs include pain-relieving progestin hormone drugs, ovarian function-blocking Gonadotropin-releasing hormones, vein embolization, and surgery to rid of damaged veins, uterus, and ovaries. Customarily, your doctor will start you on the medications first to relieve pain. If the medications fail, then they may advise on the next step, usually the invasive options. Vein embolization is the most commonly used procedure. Here’s a look at what it involves:

Pelvic Venous Embolization

Ovarian and pelvic venous embolization involve using a catheter to inject sclerosing agents into the varicose veins in the regions. Sclerosing agents are chemicals that cause inflammation and irritation. Next, the doctor attaches small metal plugs or coils to prevent flow into the veins. This prevents reflux in the ovarian veins and eases pressure within the engorged veins.

Treating PVCS diseases like pelvic and labial varicose veins requires resolving the backward follow of blood in the ovarian and pelvic veins through embolization. Embolization is an outpatient procedure that uses catheter technology to access the venous system to the problematic ovarian veins. The procedure is painless and requires no major incisions. The physician embolizes each problem vein (blocking blood flow) with vascular plugs or coils. Doing so permanently seals off the varicose veins, diverting blood flow up through healthy veins. The physician will also deliver sclerosing medication to lower the pressure in the pelvic veins and relieve the pain. Once blood can flow smoothly through healthy veins in the pelvic and labial area, the pain disappears. Patients can usually return to work and light activities the day following the procedure and see a full recovery in about one week; at least 7 in 10 women who undergo the procedure report feeling better. This procedure is usually performed by a trained interventional radiologist in the X-ray department.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that injects sclerosing solutions into the veins. It is used to treat spider, reticular and varicose veins. It also blocks the unsightly or non-functioning veins to gradually improve appearance. This generally involves multiple treatments over the course of several months.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Radiofrequency Ablation is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure used to treat varicose veins. An RFA utilizes high-frequency radio waves directed through a thin tube to create intense heat within the varicose vein. This closes up the problem vessel so blood cannot flow through it, redirecting blood flow into healthy veins to allow the blood to return to the heart. Eliminating the unhealthy vein reduces the vein bulging and minimizes leg pain and swelling. It is performed as an outpatient procedure with minimal recovery and discomfort.

When Should I Contact My Doctor?

Some women have enlarged veins with no symptoms; others have enlarged veins that cause pains and aches. In most cases, these don’t require a medical emergency. The symptoms should reduce as you head into menopause. However, in case of chronic, unbearable pain, nothing is stopping you from seeking medical help. In fact, see your healthcare giver right away for help.

To get the most out of the consultation, here’s what to do:

Know the purpose of the visit and what you want to get from it
Before visiting the doctor, put down questions you need them to answer.
Bring company along to help ask questions and note down points from the doctor.
Write down the name of the diagnosis, its tests, and treatment options explained by the doctor. Also, take notes of any new instructions during each visit.
Know the reasons for new medication prescriptions, their benefits, and their risks.
Inquire whether it’s possible to treat your condition another way
Know why and what the results of a test procedure mean
Ask what will happen if you don’t undergo testing or take medication.
Ask whether a follow-up appointment is available and note down the visit’s time, date, and reason.
Ask the doctor for their contacts in case you need a further chat.

Pros and Cons of Pelvic Vein/Ovarian Embolization Procedure

Benefits

Embolization of the ovarian vein or pelvic vein has already been demonstrated to be a safe procedure for relieving pain sensations and improving varicose vein appearance.
Embolization helps shut off affected veins, easing pressure from them, so they reduce in size.
It’s a minimally invasive technique requiring only a tiny incision in the skin. You won’t even need stitches.
Fewer complications than traditional surgery. You also lose less blood, and the incision mark is not even visible. You won’t also need to stay in the hospital for long.
85 % of women who undergo the procedure report feeling much better within 14 days of the operation

Risks

You may be allergic to the iodine-based dye and a contrast agent used to take detailed images.
A small number of women develop infections after embolization.
Since the procedure involves placing a tube inside blood vessels, it may damage them or cause bruising and bleeding at the point of incision.
if an embolic agent migrates to the wrong place, it may cut off the oxygen supply to the tissue, i.e., non-target embolism
There’s a 10 % chance that the varices may develop in the veins again.
It exposes the ovaries to radiation. However, studies have not found any links between the procedure and infertility or abnormal periods.

What Happens After the Procedure?

The doctor will monitor your blood pressure and heart rate. Some patients suffer slight pain or discomfort following the surgery, which can be managed with simple medications taken by mouth or intravenously through the cannula.

Bed rest is advisable for a short period after the procedure. Most patients are cleared to leave the hospital after 4 hours. However, if you’re in significant pain, you might want to stay for longer and get extra care.

Once discharged, expect to resume your normal activities within a few days; however, don’t drive within the first week following the procedure. Of course, you can wait for longer in case of groin discomfort and get medical care too.

After your operation or therapy, your doctor may urge a follow-up scan and checkup. This is to determine whether the operation was successful and address any changes or adverse effects you may have noticed following the treatment. Just like other varicose veins on the leg, engorged veins in the thigh, vulva, buttocks, etc., may need to be treated separately.

The enlarged veins should gradually reduce in size within a few weeks by preventing reflux in pelvic veins. Even the vulvar varicose veins should disappear. You can also seek treatment for any varices in the lower legs. Various safe treatment options can be used to rid of the condition for good. However, seek treatment for other vein varices only after dealing with pelvic vein varices to reduce the chances of the condition coming back in the future. After treatment, any symptoms you’ve been experiencing due to the vein varices should go away.

How to Prepare for Pelvic Vein Embolization?

You will need to have your warfarin medication altered if you are taking any. Consult with a doctor for details.
Keep a list of your medications, even the herbal ones, and inform your doctor of any allergies, including allergic to the iodine dye.
Inform your doctor of any recent medical issues, illnesses, or if you are pregnant. Pelvic venography and vein embolism involve the use of X-rays; you don’t want the fetus exposed to the radiation.
Pack comfortable clothes; you will also be given a gown at the hospital for use during the procedure.

Why Pedes Orange County

Congestion of veins in the pelvis and lower abdomen is one of the major causes of pelvic pain. It happens when the vein valves lose functionality, preventing blood from flowing back. Symptoms include pain when standing, lifting, walking, and during or after intercourse. It’s also characterized by visible varices on the vulva, vagina, inner thigh, and sometimes the buttocks. This condition affects 13-40 percent of women between ages 20 and 45. Symptoms of pelvic venous congestion should reduce after menopause. Still, before that, you can also seek medical diagnosis and treatment to ease the pain and improve the appearance of the veins.

Hopefully, this is enough to help you decide what to do. Contact our offices to speak with an expert in pelvic venous congestion consultation and treatment services in Pedes Orange County.

What to Expect from Your Visit to Pedes

ULTRASOUND

Your treatment will begin with an ultrasound examination of your veins, arteries, or both, in your legs to diagnose the presence and extent of the disease. Your test results will be immediately available to review with the doctor.

CONSULT

Once we review the results of your diagnostic tests, our physicians will help you develop a plan to provide you with the best treatment for your disease.

TREATMENT

Depending on the extent of disease in your arteries or veins, our specialists may recommend minimally invasive intervention and/or prescribe medications to help your symptoms.

FOLLOW UP

It is important to make sure that you return for every scheduled follow-up appointment to ensure that your disease is appropriately monitored. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please call or schedule a follow-up appointment with our staff.

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What to Expect

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