Treatment

Pelvic Vein Embolisation

Pelvic Vein Embolisation is performed under X-ray guidance as a minimally invasive day procedure

Finally, an Answer to Chronic Pelvic Pain: How Pelvic Vein Embolisation Can Help You Reclaim Your Life

You've been told the pain is "normal." You've had scans, seen specialists, tried medications... and still the aching, heavy feeling in your pelvis returns, worse by the end of the day and after prolonged standing. What many women don't know is that a significant proportion of chronic pelvic pain has a vascular cause: enlarged, poorly draining pelvic veins known as pelvic varicosities.

This condition, called Pelvic Congestion Syndrome, is common, underdiagnosed, and (importantly) treatable. Pelvic Vein Embolisation is the most effective, evidence-based treatment available, and it is performed without open surgery, without a general anaesthetic, and with a recovery measured in days, not weeks.

What Is Pelvic Vein Embolisation?

Just as varicose veins in the legs develop when venous valves fail and blood pools under pressure, pelvic varicosities form when the ovarian veins and pelvic venous plexus become dilated and incompetent. Blood refluxes back into the pelvis instead of draining efficiently toward the heart, creating sustained venous pressure that causes chronic pain, heaviness, and discomfort.

Pelvic Vein Embolisation works by permanently blocking these abnormal, refluxing veins using tiny metal coils and/or a sclerosant agent delivered directly through a catheter. Once closed off, blood is naturally rerouted through healthy veins, pressure is relieved, and pain resolves.

Think of it as permanently redirecting traffic away from a congested road to allow everything to flow freely again.

What to Expect During the Procedure

PVE is performed in a dedicated vascular suite under X-ray guidance. Here is what typically happens on the day:

• You will be awake and comfortable throughout, under local anaesthesia with light sedation if needed
• A small catheter is introduced through a vein in the neck (jugular vein) or the groin (femoral vein) via a pinhole access point
• The catheter is carefully guided under X-ray imaging into the ovarian veins and pelvic venous plexus
• A contrast dye injection is performed to visualise the abnormal veins and confirm the diagnosis
• The refluxing veins are then treated with a combination of metal coils and/or sclerosant foam to permanently seal them shut
• The catheter is removed, and a simple dressing is applied to the access site, no stitches required

The procedure typically takes between 45 minutes and one and a half hours. Most patients go home within a few hours.

Recovery: Back to Life, Quickly

One of the most significant advantages of PVE is how little downtime is involved. Most patients:

• Return home on the same day as the procedure
• Resume light daily activities within two to three days
• Return to work within three to five days for desk-based roles
• Experience a gradual reduction in pelvic pain over the following four to twelve weeks as the treated veins fully resolve

You may be advised to:

✅ Rest and avoid strenuous activity for 48 to 72 hours

✅ Stay well hydrated in the days following the procedure

✅ Take simple over-the-counter pain relief for any mild post-procedure discomfort

✅ Attend a follow-up ultrasound to confirm successful vein closure

✅ Avoid prolonged standing in the early recovery period

Some women notice improvement in their symptoms within weeks; for others, the full benefit becomes apparent over two to three months as the treated veins are reabsorbed by the body.

Risks and Side Effects: What You Should Know

Pelvic Vein Embolisation has an excellent safety profile. It has been performed worldwide for over two decades with consistently high success rates. As with any interventional procedure, minor side effects can occur:

• Post-embolisation syndrome – A temporary flu-like feeling of mild pelvic cramping, low-grade fever, and fatigue in the days following the procedure. This is a normal response as the body processes the treated veins and usually resolves within a few days.
• Mild bruising or soreness at the catheter access site
• Transient nausea related to the contrast dye or sedation, which passes quickly

Serious complications are rare. During your consultation, I will take time to review your individual anatomy, medical history, and imaging findings to ensure the procedure is planned with the highest possible safety margin.

Are You a Candidate for Pelvic Vein Embolisation?

PVE may be the right treatment for you if:

• You have been experiencing chronic pelvic pain lasting more than six months
• Your pain is worse after prolonged standing, at the end of the day, or during/after intercourse
• You have visible varicose veins around the vulva, inner thighs, or buttocks
• Gynaecological investigations have not provided a clear explanation for your pain
• Imaging has identified dilated ovarian or pelvic veins with venous reflux

A consultation at our clinic will include a thorough review of your symptoms and history, along with ultrasound or cross-sectional imaging to confirm whether PVE is appropriate for you. If a compression syndrome such as Nutcracker Syndrome is identified as a contributing factor, this can be factored into your individualised treatment plan.

Why Early Treatment Matters

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome does not resolve on its own. Over time, untreated pelvic varicosities can worsen, contributing to:

• Progressive increase in pain severity and frequency
• Secondary vulvar and lower limb varicosities
• Significant impact on daily activity, work, and intimate relationships
• Psychological burden from years of undiagnosed or dismissed symptoms

Addressing the vascular cause early rather than managing symptoms alone offers the best long-term outcome. Pelvic Vein Embolisation is not a temporary measure; it is a durable solution with clinical studies showing meaningful pain relief in the majority of patients at five-year follow-up.

You Deserve a Treatment That Gets to the Root of the Problem

If pelvic pain has been part of your life for too long, you deserve a proper vascular assessment and access to the treatment that can genuinely help. I approach every patient with care, precision, and the time to truly understand your experience because the right diagnosis and the right treatment can be life-changing.