I am 46 years old and had a hysterectomy/endometriosis excision. After the procedures I was told that I also have pelvic congestion syndrome. Should I be concerned about any other health risks associated w PCS? Would it be best to seek any additional treatment, or is the hysterectomy all that really can be done? Thank you.
Pelvic congestion syndrome is thought to be caused by dilated vessels in the pelvis. A diagnosis must be established.
This patient history leads me to believe that there are at least two sources for her pain: endometriosis and possibly PCS. Hysterectomy is not the standard treatment for PCS but has been used to treat endometriosis.
Follow up with your Ob/Gyn to determine the extent of the endometriosis, and review of the findings at the time of surgery should be done. Endometriosis carries an increased risk for pelvic ca, so I recommend close follow up. PCS may be related to estrogen function, so if TAH/BSO was performed, there should be some alleviation of your symptoms.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
I am confused. If you had a hysterectomy, you won't have PCS. If you have not, you don't need treatment if it's not bothering you too much. At menopause, the symptoms will resolve.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
The "dangers" of PCS are no different for women who have a uterus. Pelvic vein congestion is due to varicosity of ovarian vein (resulting from ovarian vein reflux) and from some of the branches due to internal iliac vein reflux. Therefore, a hysterectomy will not resolve PCS-related issues.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
If you are interested in having treatment, an office with an interventional radiologist would be the place to go. They would do a pelvic ultrasound prior to the venogram. The treatment (embolization) consists of placing coils and possibly injecting a sclerosant to seal off those pelvic varices that are not functioning properly and causing the pain and discomfort. Embolization is considered to be the 'ideal' treatment. It is minimally invasive and recovery is quick. If you are not having symptoms of PCS, treatment may not be necessary, but it is always good to find a clinic to have a pelvic ultrasound and document your symptoms.
Published on Jul 11, 2012