Care for pelvic venous disorders
Pelvic congestion syndrome can develop when blood pools in enlarged veins in the pelvis, causing ongoing pain or heaviness. Treatment closes the affected veins so blood can return through healthier routes.
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Pelvic congestion syndrome can cause an ongoing ache or heaviness that interferes with daily life. When damaged pelvic veins are responsible, a minimally invasive procedure can close those veins and help relieve symptoms.
When veins in the pelvis do not carry blood back toward the heart effectively, blood can pool and the veins can enlarge. This can cause a persistent ache or heaviness called pelvic congestion syndrome. Other conditions can cause similar pain, so enlarged veins alone do not confirm the diagnosis.
We discuss when your pain started, what makes it worse, and any previous treatment. Tests may include blood tests, pelvic ultrasound, and a venogram—X-ray images taken with contrast to show the pelvic veins. We work with your gynecologist when needed to check for other causes.
X-ray imaging and contrast help your physician see abnormal blood flow in the pelvic veins. This detailed view guides where treatment is delivered.
A small catheter delivers coils or another selected treatment to close abnormal veins. Blood can then return through healthier routes rather than pooling in the treated veins.
Treatment is typically outpatient. Your team will explain activity restrictions and follow-up, including when to return to work or exercise. Recovery and symptom improvement vary.
We ask about the timing of your pain, what makes it worse, and your previous tests and treatment. Pelvic ultrasound and other imaging help us examine the veins. Because enlarged veins are not always the cause of pain, we may work with your gynecologist to investigate other explanations before recommending treatment.
Your care pathway
We ask when your pain occurs, what makes it worse, and which tests you have had.
Imaging helps us check whether blood is pooling in pelvic veins and could be causing your pain.
When appropriate, a catheter-based procedure closes selected abnormal pelvic veins.
At follow-up, we ask whether your pain has improved and check for other causes if symptoms continue.
Many patients go home the day of embolization. Pelvic or back discomfort, fatigue, and access-site soreness may occur temporarily. Recovery instructions and expected timing depend on the specific veins treated and the individual plan.
Common questions
No. Chronic pelvic pain has many potential causes. Diagnosis combines a careful history with imaging and appropriate evaluation for other gynecologic, gastrointestinal, urinary, musculoskeletal, and vascular conditions.
Embolization closes selected refluxing veins so blood can reroute through healthier pathways. Treatment is planned from the patient’s specific anatomy.
Often, yes. Coordinated evaluation is important because pelvic symptoms may have more than one cause.
Related care
UFE is an image-guided procedure that treats symptomatic fibroids by reducing their blood supply, allowing them to shrink over time while preserving the uterus.
Varicocele embolization uses a small catheter to close abnormal gonadal veins that contribute to enlarged scrotal veins, allowing blood to reroute through healthier pathways.
Varicose veins are enlarged, bulging veins that can cause aching, swelling, heaviness, and skin changes. Spider veins are smaller red or purple vessels near the skin’s surface. We offer treatments that close damaged veins and redirect blood through healthy veins.
Clinical education sources
Meet with our team to discuss your symptoms, review your records, and understand your treatment options.
