Everything You Need to Know About Pelvic Venous Insufficiency (PVI)

Pelvic venous insufficiency, commonly known as PVI, is a venous disorder that is caused when the pelvis’ veins function inadequately, resulting in the build-up of blood in the pelvic region. When the blood pools within the pelvic region, it creates pressure on the walls of the veins. As time passes, the restricted blood flow weakens the venous walls and makes them swell up. This inefficient functioning of veins and swelling leads to pelvic congestion syndrome or PCS.

According to a study by Researchgate, PVI affects around 15-20% of women in the US and worldwide. Women in the age range of 20-45 who have had multiple pregnancies are at a high risk of developing and suffering from this condition. The symptoms are so common and overlapping that it often remains undiagnosed and untreated.

Damaged pelvic veins can cause further health complications, so to avoid all the suffering in the first place, we are here with a detailed blog about pelvic venous insufficiency. Keep reading to learn everything about pelvic venous insufficiency.

Common Symptoms of Pelvic Venous Insufficiency

Some of the common pelvic venous insufficiency symptoms that can help in diagnosing PVI are enlisted below.

• Extreme pain in the pelvic region
• Swelling in the pelvic region
• Severe pain during menstruation
• Abnormal bleeding during menstruation
• Pain around the lower abdomen and back
• Heaviness in the legs
• Difficulty in getting pregnant
• Development of Varicose veins in the pelvic region and legs

As we know the pelvic venous insufficiency symptoms, let us understand the risk factors of this condition.

Pelvic Venous Insufficiency Risk Factors

A woman can develop this condition at any age, but as mentioned above, women between the age range of 20-45 are at high risk. Other risk factors are:

• Being obese
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Multiple Pregnancies
• Use of birth control pills
• Hormonal changes during menopause
• Genetic history of venous insufficiency
• Family history of blood clots

Treatment Options for Pelvic Venous Insufficiency

There are multiple treatment options for PVI. The doctor will recommend pelvic venous insufficiency treatment based on the severity of your symptoms. Let's discuss these recommended treatment options:

• Hormonal Treatment

  As stated above, hormonal imbalance can majorly impact the veins. So, one of the non-surgical treatments for PVI is treating the hormones to control the dysfunction.

• Sclerotherapy

  Another effective non-surgical treatment option is sclerotherapy treatment. This treatment involves injecting a chemical solution directly into the targeted veins. This treatment eventually leads to redirecting of blood through healthier veins and fades the impacted vein. This is the most suitable option for mild to moderate cases.

• Surgical Treatment

  For severe cases of PVI, if other treatments haven't worked, the doctors would suggest surgically removing the affected veins. This involves ligation and stripping of the affected veins.

Tips that can Help in Preventing Pelvic Venous Insufficiency

If you notice early symptoms of pelvic venous insufficiency, you can easily control this condition by following the given suggested tips.

• Wear compression stockings regularly
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Give up on a sedentary lifestyle
• Avoid prolonged standing
• Keep legs elevated
• Exercise regularly to promote blood circulation

PVI is not a deadly condition. Follow the above-mentioned tips to prevent the condition. In case you are diagnosed, don’t worry. It is easily treatable with the right guidance and treatment plan from an expert physician.

Treat Your Pelvic Vein Insufficiency with North Atlanta Vascular Clinic and Vein Center

With an industry experience of more than a decade, the physicians at North Atlanta Vascular Clinic are renowned for treating all kinds of venous diseases, including pelvic venous insufficiency. So, if you’re looking for treatment plans for PVI, you can contact us or book an appointment online. Same-day appointments are also available!