PCS occurs due to malfunctioning valves in blood vessels, similar to what happens with varicose veins. This defect leads to the expansion of the ovarian and other pelvic veins.

A subset of women (6-15%) are born without these valves or have valves that don’t function correctly. Pregnancy can exacerbate the issue, as it increases ovarian blood flow by up to 60 times, which can damage the valves. This damage permits the blood to flow in the reverse direction, resulting in varicose veins within the pelvic region. These varicose veins then exert pressure on pelvic structures, causing the associated symptoms.

Typically, women aged 20 to 40 are more frequently affected, although it can manifest at any age. It is more prevalent among women who have experienced several pregnancies. Moreover, dilated pelvic veins and venous congestion are present in 90% of women who suffer from chronic pelvic pain without a determined cause.

Persistent abdominal or pelvic pain, which may extend to the back, often intensifies after long periods of standing, following sexual intercourse, during menstrual periods, and post-exercise. The discomfort generally eases when lying down. This condition can also coincide with varicose veins in the thighs, legs, buttocks, or vaginal region. Additional symptoms may encompass tiredness, a feeling of irritation or a strong need to urinate, and a sensation of fullness or pressure in the pelvic or abdominal areas.

Ovarian Vein Embolization targets the ovarian veins to reduce the blood flow causing pelvic varicosities, which are linked to the chronic pain experienced in Pelvic Congestion Syndrome. This is a specialized form of embolization specifically aimed at alleviating the symptoms associated with this condition by using coils or sclerosing agents to close off the faulty veins.