What are the treatment options for PVCS? Available treatment options for PVCS include pain-relieving progestin hormone drugs, ovarian function-blocking Gonadotropin-releasing hormones, vein embolization, and surgery to remove the uterus and ovaries. Your physician will typically start with medications first to relieve pain. If the medications fail, then they may a more invasive surgical procedure. Vein embolization is the most common type of procedure performed.
Ovarian and pelvic venous embolization begin as a Vascular Specialist injects sclerosing agents into the varicose veins through a catheter. Next, the doctor attaches small metal plugs or coils to prevent blood flow into the veins. This prevents reflux in the ovarian veins and eases pressure within the engorged veins.
Treating diseases like pelvic and labial varicose veins resolves the backward flow of blood in the ovarian and pelvic veins through embolization. Embolization is an outpatient procedure that provides access to the problematic ovarian veins using a catheter. The procedure is painless and requires no major incisions. The physician will embolize each problematic vein (blocking blood flow) with vascular plugs or coils. Doing so permanently seals off the varicose veins, diverting blood flow to healthy veins. The physician will also deliver sclerosing medication to lower the pressure in the pelvic veins and relieve the pain. Once blood can flow smoothly through healthy veins in the pelvic and labial area, the pain disappears. Patients can usually return to work and light activities the day following the procedure and see a full recovery in about one week. At least 7 in 10 women who undergo the procedure report significant symptomatic relief. This procedure is usually performed by a trained interventional radiologist on an outpatient basis.
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure where sclerosing solutions are injected into the veins. It is used to treat spider, reticular and varicose veins. It also blocks the unsightly or non-functioning veins to gradually improve appearance. This generally involves multiple treatments over the course of several months.
Radiofrequency Ablation is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure used to treat varicose veins. RFA utilizes high-frequency radio waves directed through a catheter to create intense heat within the varicose vein. This closes up the problematic vessel so blood cannot flow through it. Blood flow is then redirected into healthy veins, allowing it to return to the heart. Eliminating the unhealthy vein reduces venous bulging and minimizes leg pain and swelling. It is performed as an outpatient procedure with minimal recovery and slight, but tolerable discomfort.
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The doctor will monitor your blood pressure and heart rate. Some patients suffer slight pain or discomfort following the surgery, which can be managed with simple medications taken by mouth or intravenously through the cannula.
Bed rest is advisable for a short period after the procedure. Most patients are cleared to leave the hospital after 4 hours. However, if you’re in significant pain, you might want to stay for longer to receive additional care..
Once discharged, expect to resume your normal activities within a few days. However, driving is not recommended for the first week following the procedure. You may even wait longer in case of groin discomfort.
After your operation or therapy, your doctor may recommend a follow-up scan and checkup. This is to determine whether the operation was successful and address any changes or adverse effects you may have noticed following the treatment. Just like other varicose veins on the leg, engorged veins in the thigh, vulva, buttocks, etc., may need to be treated separately.
The enlarged veins should gradually reduce in size within a few weeks by preventing reflux in pelvic veins. Even the vulvar varicose veins should disappear. You can also seek treatment for any varices in the lower legs. Various safe treatment options can be used to permanently resolve the condition. However, seek treatment for other vein varices only after dealing with pelvic vein varices to reduce the chances of the condition coming back in the future. After treatment, any symptoms you’ve been experiencing due to the vein varices should go away.
