Typically, it is recognisable by dilatation and relative stasis of blood in the pelvic veins. Women with pelvic congestion have a defective response of the peripheral circulation in the lower limb to a gravity-induced rise in venous pressure.
Pelvic congestion is symptomatically and aetiologically similar to 'runner's cramp'.
The pain of both conditions is reduced by an increase in local blood flow. Pelvic congestion is commonly accompanied by menstrual and ovarian dysfunction.