Halil İbrahim ALTUN, Gözde ALTUN, Fatma Tuba İLAL MERT
Comprehensive Medicine - 2026;18(3):309-317
Objective: Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is a clinical condition resulting from dysfunction of the pelvic venous system and is most commonly observed in multiparous women. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution and clinical characteristics of pain in patients with PCS and to assess changes in pain intensity following endovascular treatment. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective, single-center study, 54 patients with PCS who underwent plug-based ovarian vein embolization between January 2022 and March 2023 were included. Demographic and clinical data, including BMI, pain characteristics, comorbidities, treatments, symptom duration, prior consultations, and associated symptoms, were recorded. Pain intensity was evaluated using the NRS-11 before the procedure and at 1 and 3 months post-intervention. Results: The mean age was 39.6+/-8.1 years, and the mean pain duration was 48.9 +/- 31.9 months. Chronic comorbidities were present in 19% of patients. Pain most commonly involved the groin (80%), hips (63%), and lower back (48%) and was exacerbated by prolonged standing in all patients. Associated symptoms included postcoital pain (83%), dyspareunia (66%), urinary urgency (36%), and dysuria (23%). Lower extremity varicose veins were observed in 82% of patients, and 87% were multiparous. Conclusion: Pain associated with PCS may present as referred pain involving the hip and lower back, often mimicking musculoskeletal conditions. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic hip and low back pain, particularly in multiparous women. Greater clinical awareness may reduce diagnostic delay, and further prospective studies are needed to clarify underlying pain mechanisms.
