Is Abdomen Pain After Sex a Warning Sign of a Vascular Disorder?
There are many reasons why both men and women may have abdomen pain after sex, and some are more serious than others. The less serious usually have to do with the digestive tract and may include irritable bowel syndrome, gas, or constipation. Similarly, UTIs or bladder issues can lead to abdominal pain after sex in men and women.
These conditions tend to go away on their own, but may sometimes require a doctor's appointment and prescribed medication. On the more serious side, STIs can cause pain in the abdomen in both men and women after sex. However, most STIs that are not viral go away with antibiotics if treated promptly.
Ultimately, the best approach is to listen to your body. If you are a woman, you may be suffering from a vascular disorder called Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (pelvic congestion syndrome). Studies show that women are more likely to suffer from pelvic congestion syndrome than men, but men can be diagnosed with the disease also.
Certain factors determine the risk of vascular disorders associated with pelvic pain. In particular, vascular disorders are most prevalent in women who have had multiple pregnancies but are not necessary to be diagnosed with this condition. If you are a woman and identify with chronic pelvic pain lasting 6 months or longer, with painful intercourse, painful menstrual cycles and frequent urination, it may be pelvic congestion syndrome-related.
Make sure you visit a doctor to investigate your symptoms. While you're making an appointment with your gynecologist, the following questions and pelvic congestion syndrome symptoms are some of the most common in patients who have received a formal diagnosis.
What Is Pelvic Congestion Syndrome?
Pelvic congestion syndrome is a type of vascular disorder, which involves the veins in the pelvic region. These veins pump blood from the lower extremities back to the heart, and when this is not done properly it causes congestion in the pelvic region. This is why the syndrome is also referred to as pelvic venous insufficiency. The vein is insufficiently pumping blood. This syndrome is oftentimes related to leg pain symptoms and leg swelling when patient.
In simple terms, pelvic congestion syndrome patients develop veins in the lower abdomen that stop working appropriately. For example, when sitting or standing for long periods of time the blood may congest inside veins, causing pain in the region as well as other symptoms in the legs.
Pelvic congestion syndrome is a chronic medical condition that causes pain and discomfort in your lower abdomen and pelvic area. Unfortunately, it can be hard to diagnose and requires a vascular specialist to detect with an ultrasound along with looking at the medical history of the patient. Underdiagnosis reflects the fact that women may experience pelvic and abdominal pain due to many other conditions, and the vascular component is often overlooked.
The difficulty in diagnosing pelvic congestion syndrome is why women are encouraged to visit a gynecologist first before visiting a vascular specialist. This way, a gynecologist can rule out issues that may be at the root of pelvic pain such as fibroids, endometriosis, or ovarian cysts. The vascular specialist can look at other conditions using transabdominal ultrasound.
As a vascular disease, pelvic congestion syndrome usually begins due to improper blood flow in the deep or iliac veins.
What Causes Pelvic Congestion Syndrome?
Medical experts are unsure what directly causes pelvic congestion syndrome, but research shows that different factors come into play. Most doctors believe a combination of physical and hormonal changes in the body post-pregnancy create pressure in veins around the ovaries. Additionally, women release more estrogen while pregnant, which may weaken veins in the area and lead them to bulge.
Iliac vein compression syndrome, more commonly known as May-Thurner syndrome, is a condition believed to bring about pelvic congestion syndrome. May-Thurner syndrome occurs when the iliac vein, located in the lower abdomen, gets externally compressed by the right common iliac artery. This scenario increases the chances of vascular disorders throughout the entire leg and manifests through pelvic pain and lower leg swelling.
When the iliac vein gets externally compressed, the pain usually progresses throughout the day and worsens as sufferers stand or sit for long periods. Often, the pain subsides when laying down.
The leg swelling and pain from compression attacks the left leg from thigh to foot. The right leg is rarely affected. Additional symptoms of compression may be skin discoloration, vein engorgement, and a warm feeling in the affected leg. Typically, May-Thurner syndrome is diagnosed through a transabdominal ultrasound, then a venogram verifies the findings.
Other Signs of pelvic congestion syndrome
Besides abdomen pain after sex, women with pelvic congestion syndrome tend to endure painful menstrual cycles and more pain than usual and painful intercourse. During a woman's day-to-day life, the discomfort can be exacerbated while sitting or standing for a long period of time. Even a woman's posture might make her feel pain due to blood flow. Lying down relieves the pain.
According to John Hopkins Medicine, varicose veins are large, twisted veins that typically develop on the legs. However, women with pelvic congestion syndrome can develop varicose veins on the vagina after pregnancy. When that occurs, varicose veins develop on the vulva, the labia majora, and the labia minora.
As many as one in ten pregnant women experience issues with veins in their pelvis. These problems should improve six to eight weeks after pregnancy. In some women, the veins stay and worsen with time and more pregnancies. The veins cause pelvic pain, itchy skin, painful vaginal intercourse, pelvic discomfort while walking, vulvar pressure, and a sense of swelling.
Women who struggle with vulvar varicose veins have difficulty acquiring appropriate treatment and may be advised to wear medical-grade compression stockings.
Other signs and symptoms of pelvic congestion syndrome include pelvis pain that worsens during menstrual periods, dull achy pains in the lower back, varicose veins on the buttocks or thighs, and bladder discomfort that make it hard to control urination.
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome Diagnosis
Sometimes, a woman's gastrointestinal system, muscles, bones, and mental health (such as depression) cause pelvic pain. Since so many conditions can be at the root of pelvis pain, your doctor will need to rule out every other possibility before giving you an official pelvic congestion syndrome diagnosis.
First, women will go to a gynecologist to rule out any possible instigators. After a doctor considers all other medical conditions, they will run tests to ensure that the patient is suffering from pelvic congestion syndrome. Typically, medical professionals will run an ultrasound of the pelvic veins.
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome Treatment
Usually, doctors will develop treatments specific to the patient's underlying conditions. Some medical providers offer starter-medication for pelvic congestion syndrome. If symptoms do not improve with medication, the doctor may suggest other medical procedures.
Most patients receive pelvic congestion syndrome treatment in the form of hormonal drugs that release hormones to block ovarian functions and help ease the pain. If this does not improve the situation, doctors may suggest that the patient undergoes a procedure to shut off damaged veins, surgery to remove damaged veins, or even a hysterectomy.
Final Thoughts
If you're a woman and you frequently experience pelvic pain that worsens after walking, standing, or lower abdominal pain after sex, or painful cycles, you may have pelvic congestion syndrome.
Go to your healthcare provider if your pelvic pain seems chronic and does not improve after pregnancy. Your doctor will run tests to rule out any gynecological issues and determine if you have pelvic congestion syndrome.
Remember, hormone treatments and medications can alleviate and treat your pelvic congestion syndrome. If medications do not help, it may be necessary for you to undergo a venogram procedure where a stent is placed to open the veins and relieve symptoms.