Venous Congestion Syndrome

Venous congestion syndrome is similar to varicose veins in the legs. In each of these conditions there is a defect in the valves in the veins that conduct blood to the heart which allows the blood to flow back and pool in the veins. When this occurs in the lower abdomen around the female organs the condition is sometimes called pelvic congestion syndrome.

Causes

• There is no consensus on the exact cause of venous congestion syndrome. However there is some evidence that points to the excessive fluid and weight gain associated with pregnancy as one possible cause. Because the hormone estrogen is known to cause vein walls to weaken, and because there is an abundance of estrogen during pregnancy, it is believed that this hormone plays a role in the development of this condition. There may also be other anatomical changes that occur in the body that medical science does not yet fully understand which contribute to venous congestion syndrome.

Size

• It is unknown how many women suffer from venous congestion syndrome, but conservative estimates suggest that around 30 percent of adult women will experience the chronic pelvic pain associated with this condition. Not all women who have venous congestion syndrome will experience chronic pelvic pain and many instances of this condition will probably not be diagnosed.

Symptoms

• The most common symptom of venous congestion syndrome is pain. The pain is typically described as dull and may increase in intensity prior to the onset of menstruation, during sexual intercourse, after standing for long periods of time and toward the end of a pregnancy.

Side Effects

• While pain is the primary symptom associated with venous congestion syndrome, there are other indicators that may point to this condition. Some side effects may be severe enough to affect the lifestyle and relationships of the patient. These may include swollen sex organs, visible varicose veins on the buttocks or vulva, lower abdominal tenderness, backache, depression and painful menstruation. Women suffering from such unexplained symptoms should consult with their physician.

Treatment

• Venous congestion syndrome is notoriously difficult to treat effectively and there varying degrees of success with different forms of treatment. Drug therapy has not proven successful in treating this condition, but pain medication may be appropriate to alleviate severe discomfort. Certain radiological techniques have shown promise in treating venous congestion syndrome, and surgery is available as a last resort. Some patients have found relief in alternative medical protocols including physical therapy, psychological counseling and acupuncture, among other techniques.