Can You Die From Pelvic Congestion Syndrome?

Many people wonder, “Can you die from pelvic congestion syndrome?” Understanding the risks and implications of this condition is crucial for anyone experiencing its symptoms. It’s natural to question what’s going on with your body. Have you begun to develop varicose veins, deep, dull ache in your pelvic area, or pain during sexual intercourse? Many women deal with these same symptoms and wonder how serious it is. One possibility is Pelvic Congestion Syndrome.

The good news is that, while serious and painful, this disorder usually isn’t life-threatening. With your mind a little more at ease, let’s explore this disorder and what you can expect from it.

What is Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS)?

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS) is a vascular condition usually characterized by pelvic pain. The underlying cause of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome is pelvic venous insufficiency. The ovarian veins and surrounding vessels don’t function properly.

Why is the Chronic Pelvic Pain So Bad with PCS?

Chronic pelvic pain from Pelvic Congestion Syndrome can be intense. Blood in ovarian veins may be slowed or flowing backward, causing deoxygenated blood to pool in the vessels. This leads to enlarged and tangled veins that hurt. Pain worsens with sitting or standing for long periods.

Chronic pelvic pain that lasts for months can take an emotional and psychological toll on women who suffer from PCS. Anxiety and depression can add to the impact beyond the physical effects.

Unfortunately, Pelvic Congestion Syndrome is misdiagnosed or overlooked because its symptoms mirror other medical conditions. For example, the pain associated with Pelvic Congestion Syndrome is similar to that of ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and bladder inflammation. This leads to delays in appropriate treatment, further extending the suffering.

PCS can coincide with hormonal changes in a woman of childbearing age. Pregnancy is one of the many risk factors that may make Pelvic Congestion Syndrome more likely. This may mask the PCS condition if a medical doctor doesn’t think to test for it.

What Other Symptoms Can You Expect Besides Pelvic Pain with PCS?

Symptoms of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome can extend beyond pelvic pain. Seek the advice of your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms and suspect Pelvic Congestion Syndrome:

• Pain With Intercourse: Many women experience pain or discomfort during or after sex.
• Varicose Veins: Varicose veins may become visible on the thighs, buttocks, or vulva.
• Menstrual Pain: Some women report that pain worsens during their menstruation.
• Lower Back Pain: Lower back pain can radiate in the back or lower extremities.
• Urinary Symptoms: Some women may deal with increased frequency and urgency of urination.

How Can a Doctor Help You With Your Pelvic Congestion Syndrome?

Why should you seek the help of a qualified doctor if you have symptoms of PCS like chronic pelvic pain complaints and varicose veins? Because these and other symptoms can be difficult to diagnose. A variety of conditions can present with the same symptoms. Pelvic Congestion Syndrome can easily be misdiagnosed as other conditions like ovarian cysts or urinary tract infections.

Diagnosing Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

One of the first benefits of getting help from a qualified medical professional is receiving a proper diagnosis. How is pelvic congestion diagnosed? Your doctor will need to run a thorough workup on you. This will include a medical history to see if you have a family history of the condition or if there may be other contributing problems related to your chronic pain.

Many people associate varicose veins with the spidery lines that sometimes appear on the legs and feet. With Pelvic Congestion Syndrome, varicose veins on the buttocks, lower abdomen, and pelvic area are a telltale sign of circulatory system problems. Your doctor will want to do a physical exam of your pelvic region to look for this indicator.

You can also expect a variety of blood and urine tests and imaging studies to help your doctor reach a decisive diagnosis. Some of the imaging techniques used are:

• Doppler ultrasound: The healthcare provider may begin with this non-invasive technique that uses sound waves to create an image of the pelvic and reproductive organs. A pelvic ultrasound measures blood flow through the vessels and can reveal slowed or flowing-backward blood, which indicates venous insufficiency.
• Computed tomography (CT): A CT scan uses X-rays to create a cross-section image of the body. This helps to visualize the structure of the organs and other abnormalities in blood vessels.
• Magnetic resonance imaging: The MRI scan uses magnetic fields and radio waves to generate a detailed image of the pelvic area and veins. This may be used when an ultrasound is inconclusive.
• Pelvic venography: A venography study involves injecting a contrast dye into the veins and using X-ray images to more clearly see the pelvic blood vessels.

Certain factors may make one imaging technique more useful than another. Each has its place and advantages in the extensive investigation a doctor may need to perform to confirm Pelvic Congestion Syndrome.

Treatment Options

The second way that a doctor can assist with Pelvic Congestion Syndrome is by providing options for treatment, which will focus on relieving symptoms and addressing the insufficiency of the pelvic veins.

Sometimes lifestyle changes can provide some relief. Weight gain can be a contributing factor to PCS. Other risk factors like smoking and lack of exercise might be able to be addressed through personal effort.

Medication may help to treat symptoms. Drugs like NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, can help with pain in the pelvic region. Hormonal therapies such as those used to treat imbalanced estrogen levels may also help.

A minimally invasive procedure that a specialist may use to treat pelvic veins is ovarian vein embolization. Pelvic embolization involves inserting a catheter into the vein and blocking or collapsing the damaged veins.

In severe cases where other treatments have been unsuccessful, a vascular surgeon may need to perform a ligation procedure to tie off or remove the affected veins.

Conclusion

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS) is generally not life-threatening. Pelvic varicose veins and other debilitating pelvic pain can cause discomfort and stress for many women.

Take action to have a qualified medical professional diagnose your Pelvic Congestion Syndrome. There are effective treatment options that can help manage symptoms like chronic pelvic pain and provide a measure of relief.