Pelvic varicose veins: what they are, symptoms, causes and treatment

Pelvic varicose veins are dilated veins in the pelvis that appear mainly in women, and can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain or pain during sexual intercourse, urinary incontinence and a feeling of heaviness in the intimate region in some cases.

The cause of pelvic varicose veins is not completely known, but it is believed that they are caused by hormonal changes and/or difficulty in blood circulation through the pelvic veins, for example.

If you suspect pelvic varicose veins, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist or, in the case of men, a urologist. Treatment may involve the use of medication to alleviate symptoms, embolization of varicose veins or surgery, for example.

Symptoms of pelvic varicose veins

The main symptoms of pelvic varicose veins are:

• Dilated veins in the vagina region, back of the thighs or near the anus;
• Pain or feeling of heaviness in the abdomen and/or intimate area;
• Pain during or after intimate contact;
• Urinary incontinence;
• Intense menstrual cramps.

The pain tends to worsen when sitting, standing for long periods and at the end of the day. However, it is common for pelvic varicose veins not to cause any symptoms other than dilated veins.

Is having pelvic varicose veins serious?

Pelvic varicose veins are usually not serious. However, there is a small risk of clots forming in these veins, which can be transported to the lung and cause pulmonary embolism, for example, which is a situation that must be treated quickly. See the main symptoms of pulmonary thrombosis.

Is it possible to get pregnant with pelvic varicose veins?

A woman with pelvic varicose veins usually has no problem getting pregnant. However, during pregnancy, symptoms may appear or become more intense, due to increased dilation caused by pregnancy hormones.

How the diagnosis is made

The diagnosis of pelvic varicose veins is made by a gynecologist or, in the case of men, a urologist based on the symptoms and results of tests, such as abdominal ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging, which can verify the presence of varicose veins.

If you want to make an appointment, you can find the gynecologist closest to you using the tool below:

In addition, imaging tests can help your doctor rule out other causes of symptoms, such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease and tumors, which can cause similar symptoms.

Main causes

Pelvic varicose veins are believed to be caused by:

• Valve defect which prevent blood from returning through the pelvic veins;
• Obstruction of pelvic veinsdue to thrombosis or external compression by other blood vessels;
• Elevated levels of estrogen in the circulationwhich predispose to dilation of the pelvic veins.

Furthermore, pelvic varicose veins are more common in women under 40 who have not yet entered menopause and have been pregnant twice or more.

Is pelvic varicose veins during pregnancy normal?

It is normal for some women to develop pelvic varicose veins during pregnancy due to the increase in size of the veins, which is common during this period to carry a greater volume of blood in circulation. Check out the main pregnancy symptoms.

How the treatment is carried out

Treatment for pelvic varicose veins aims to alleviate symptoms and can initially be done with the use of contraceptives with progesterone, danazol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, according to the doctor’s advice.

Sometimes, varicose vein embolization may be indicated, which consists of inserting a thin catheter through the vein to the location of the varicose vein and releasing a substance to close the dilated vein. Embolization takes approximately 1 to 3 hours and, generally, admission to the hospital is not necessary.

Another treatment option is surgery for varicose veins, especially when embolization is not possible, in which the doctor makes a “knot” in the affected veins, so that blood only circulates in healthy veins.

Read too: Embolization: what it is, what it is for, how it is done (and care)

Care during treatment

During treatment for pelvic varicose veins, care is indicated such as:

• Wear elastic compression stockings;
• Place a wedge at the foot of the bed;
• Avoid sitting or standing still for a long time;
• Practice physical activity regularly.

This care helps to compress the veins and return blood to the heart.