🔹 What is pelvic congestion syndrome?
Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is caused by dilated, insufficient pelvic veins (ovarian and/or hypogastric veins), leading to chronic pelvic pain worsened at the end of the day, heaviness, pain during or after intercourse, and vulvar or lower limb varicosities.
⚡ Pelvic vein embolization at a glance — At a glance
Embolization of refluxing pelvic veins treats pelvic congestion syndrome, a common cause of chronic pelvic pain in women.
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Pain improvement | 75–85% of appropriately selected patients |
| Diagnosis required first | Pelvic Doppler ultrasound, then MR or CT venography |
| Fertility | Preserved |
| Cost | Covered by French national health insurance at Cochin AP-HP — no out-of-pocket fees |
Data validated by the team of Prof. Anthony Dohan, Department of Interventional Radiology, Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité.
🔹 Principle
Embolization consists of occluding the pathological pelvic veins using coils or sclerosing agents delivered through a catheter introduced via a neck vein (jugular) or groin vein, under fluoroscopic guidance. Outpatient procedure, no surgery, no general anesthesia.
🔹 Who is eligible?
Women with chronic pelvic pain for more than 6 months, confirmed pelvic varicosities on pelvic MRI or echo-Doppler, with significant functional impairment. The decision is made after multidisciplinary evaluation.
🔹 Procedure
Outpatient: arrive in the morning, leave same day. Local anesthesia. Selective catheterization of the ovarian and/or hypogastric veins. Injection of embolizing agents (coils, sclerosing foam). Duration: 45 to 90 minutes.
🔹 Results
70 to 85% of patients report significant pain improvement at 2 years. The procedure does not affect fertility or ovarian function. Follow-up consultation at 3 months.
📄 Patient information sheet
Patient information — Pelvic Varicose Veins — Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
Download before your consultation or procedure.
📄 Patient Information Sheet
✅ Covered by French Social Security (Sécurité Sociale) · No extra fees · Cochin Hospital AP-HP
🔗 Related pages
❓ Frequently asked questions
✓ Why this page is trustworthy
Written by the Interventional Radiology team at Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité. Medically reviewed by an interventional radiologist of the department. Last updated: August 2026.