So a small coil is inserted to plug the faulty vein. Blood flow automatically re-routes to a working vein. Michelle hopes when she recovers, she'll be one of them. We've set up a hot-link to the website of the Society for Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiologists. Pelvic congestion syndrome is a condition that is caused by abnormalities within the ovarian veins.
Veins carry blood that has circulated from the body back to the heart.
Since the blood in veins below the heart must flow upward, against the pull of gravity, special one-way valves prevent the backward flow of blood in the veins. The condition is similar to varicose veins that are sometimes seen in the legs. Patients with pelvic congestion syndrome may experience heaviness or a burning or throbbing pain in the abdomen and lower back. The pain is generally most severe prior to the onset of menstruation and is exacerbated by sexual intercourse or standing for long periods of time. Some patients also experience menstrual abnormalities, chronic fatigue, urinary urgency, and irritable bowel syndrome.