Pelvic congestion syndrome, or varicose veins in the pelvis, is a condition similar to varicose veins in the legs. In both cases the valves in the veins that help the blood flow toward the heart leak. As a result, blood flows backward and pools in the veins. The additional pressure causes the veins to stretch and bulge. The veins in the affected body part become dilated and congested and may cause pain and other symptoms.
Organs affected by pelvic congestion syndrome include the uterus, ovaries, and vulva.
Up to 15 percent of women, generally between ages 20 and 50 have varicose veins in their pelvis, though not all experience symptoms. Sometimes, pelvic congestion syndrome is difficult to diagnose. In fact, women with pelvic congestion syndrome may have also had treatments for varicose veins in their legs without experiencing pain relief. The treatments may have not been successful, because the problem veins in their pelvic area were not recognized. Both the pelvic and leg pain usually resolve after all of the problem veins have been treated.