What are the Causes of Pelvic Congestion?

Pelvic congestion syndrome, popularly known as the "enlargement of uterine vessels," can occur for many different reasons. The majority of people with this syndrome first complain of a dull pain that spreads to the groin or groin and causes considerable discomfort.

Factors Causing the Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

The main problem in pelvic congestion syndrome is the backflow of blood in the ovaries and pelvic veins due to incapable valves. However, the emergence of this syndrome may also be due to obstructive anatomical conditions and diseases.

The following section lists the reasons for the incapability of the valves located in the pelvic and ovarian veins:

• Structural changes in the vein wall
• Excessive stimulation on these veins with increased estrogen
• Primary changes in the structure of the valves

Another factor that causes pelvic congestion syndrome is multiple births. Due to the vasodilating effects of estrogen and progesterone hormones, "dilatation" in the abdominal and leg veins, that is, "varicose veins," occur as a result of both hormonal reasons and the pressure exerted by the baby in the womb on the mother’s veins during the pregnancy process. This situation occurs within a certain period and generally develops due to the deterioration of the venous valve mechanism, in other words, the valves located in the vein.

On the other hand, weight gain during pregnancy and the anatomical changes in pelvic structures caused by pregnancy directly affect the pelvic region vein blood flow. Due to the blood accumulating in the pelvic and ovarian veins, namely, the ovarian veins, the healthy venous blood flow slows down and even comes to a halting stage. From this point on, pelvic pain usually occurs due to blood clotting (thrombosis) in the vein and the pressure exerted by the expanding veins on the nearby nerves. 

The following section lists the special cases that anatomically interrupt venous blood flow:

• May-Thurner Syndrome: It is the condition in which the right common iliac artery compressing the left common iliac vein.
• Retro - aortic Left Renal Vein: The situation in which the left renal vein is behind the aorta and the left ovarian vein is subject to pressure.
• Nutcracker Syndrome: It is the compression of the left ovary and left renal vein by the superior mesenteric artery.