Diagnosis for Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
Although pelvic varicose veins can cause pain and are the hallmark of pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS), many normal women will have enlarged pelvic veins discovered on an ultrasound, CT, or MRI scan, especially if they have had children. Fortunately, not everyone gets symptoms and only those women who have pain are given the diagnosis of PCS.
Routine gynecologic pelvic exams are usually normal. Laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, and other tests and surgical investigations may also not show any dilated or engorged veins. If you have the typical pattern of pelvic pain of PCS, please discuss the possibility of this diagnosis with your gynecologist, who can then guide the choice of appropriate testing.