Anyone had a Pelvic Vein Embolisation?

[Ifonly33]

I’ve got varicose veins on my legs and groin which has been diagnosed as Pelvic Congestion Syndrome.

I’ve been to one of the best private clinics in the UK and they said the treatment has to be Pelvic Vein Embolisation because the causes of the reflux is within the pelvis (if they strip the leg veins in the traditional way, they’ll just return because the blood is still refluxing further up).

The NHS offer this treatment for Pelvic Congestion Syndrome but not many trusts do it.

It’s an irreversible procedure that can painful to recover from, tiny coils are placed into the faulty veins in the pelvis via a catheter from the neck. Some women end up in more pain than they were to begin with which is obviously a massive concern.

I have barely any pain from the veins, a bit of heaviness and itching but that’s it. So my reasons for treatment are cosmetic.

Has anyone had this procedure and could share their experience? I’ve found some experiences on Reddit but most of the posters are in the US, hardly any from the UK.

Hoping there may be some Mumsnetters out there who have had it! Thank you x

Hi I was diagnosed with PCS and had pelvic vein embolisation with the NHS in 2024. I had varicose veins on my right ovary and experienced agonising pain for over a decade. I couldn’t lie down on my right side, sit with my legs crossed or stand for long periods, amongst various other things. The surgery has made a massive improvement and I am beyond glad that I had it. Not 100% pain free now but a world of difference.

The surgery hurt like hell. Had local anaesthetic at the site of incision in my groin, all fine but I nearly leapt off the table when the wire was going up the vein. The recovery was longer than I expected too with quite a lot of pain but I had no regrets, just took it easy.

Apologies as this isn’t quite like your case and I didn’t have any visible varicose veins. Hopefully the procedure won’t be so painful if you decide to go ahead. Wishing you all the best.

Thank you Bea, it’s great to hear you had a positive experience with the NHS. I have heard the procedure and recovery can be harder than what they tell you it’s going to be, but it’s worth it if it reduces your pain long term.

Commenting as I’m interested to hear other people’s experience. I have yet to be diagnosed but worried this will be my diagnosis as well.

I think my situation is almost exactly the same as yours.
I was probably even diagnosed at the same clinic.
My leg veins are fairly bad with many reticular/spider veins which over time are becoming lumpy. Like you though they just feel a bit heavy and achy on standing.

I apparently have all main pelvic veins refluxing, causing my leg veins to return after sclerotherapy. According to the clinic's protocol the embolization must be done before other treatment or veins will continue to worsen.

However, I have no symptoms of pelvic congestion at all and feel really well in that area!
I have heard of people often getting reasonable results from embolization if they have had bad pvc symptoms.
However, I have also heard of people having pelvic pain and other troubles caused by the operation itself, and I don't want to introduce pain where currently I feel none.

I have concluded that I won't have that operation for now. If I start having pelvic symptoms then I'll reconsider; in the meantime I'll maybe just have the leg veins treated in some way even if it's only a temporary fix.

Following as I have similar issues

Yes this is exactly the same as me! I have also considered having the leg veins treated in the traditional way as a short term solution but the clinic warned me this could cause scarring and difficulties later down the line. I also have a vein on my groin that can’t be treated like the leg veins. I am seeing an NHS vascular consultant in a couple of weeks, I’m curious to see what they suggest. I’ve only seen a private clinic who obviously need to promote the procedure to make money (I’m being cynical, I know). Will report back on my NHS appt in case it’s helpful.

Yes, I would be interested, thanks.

There's someone near me who gets great reviews for her use of YAG laser.
A couple of years ago I had foam sclerotherapy which is very good for many people, but I got a bad case of 'matting' from it, though the lumpy veins went down.
YAG laser is supposed to be good for spider veins, so I'm going to email this doctor.

The clinic that recommended pelvic embolization as the first step of treatment said that next I should have endovenous laser ablation, followed by sclerotherapy, followed by phlebectomy, and maybe microsclerotherapy after that; it seems like so much going on!