Some vein problems in women show up in the pelvis, not just the legs. FCCI lists lower pelvic pain, veins across the belly or pelvic area, varicose veins in the vaginal area and pain during sex as possible signs of deep vein disease. If you have them, tell your doctor. They can be checked.
Why women are more affected
FCCI notes that 50% of women have some kind of venous problem, compared with 40% of men. Hormones are one of the things that can contribute to chronic venous insufficiency, along with family history, injury and a past deep vein clot.
Symptoms to mention
- Lower pelvic pain
- Large varicose veins on the back of the thighs
- Veins across the belly or pelvic area
- Varicose veins in the vaginal area
- Pain during sex
- Deep leg pain when standing that eases when you lie down or raise your legs
- Unexplained swelling
These can feel awkward to bring up. Vein specialists hear about them often, and naming them helps your doctor look in the right place.
How it is checked
Pelvic veins sit deep in the body, so testing goes beyond a quick leg scan. Your doctor may start with an ultrasound and then use venography, an x-ray exam that shows blood flow in the veins, or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), which images the deep veins of the legs, pelvis and belly from inside the vein. IVUS helps tell a clot from compression and other problems.
How it can be treated
If a deep vein is narrowed or blocked, options at FCCI include venoplasty, which widens the vein with a small balloon, and stents, which hold it open. These are done in FCCI's outpatient cath lab. Your doctor will decide what fits after testing.
A whole-health approach
Pelvic pain has many possible causes. If your veins turn out healthy, FCCI has other specialists under the same roof, and your doctor can help point you to the right next step.
Making the call
You can say as little as you like on the phone. Just ask for a vein visit. Please do not send health details through online forms. Share them in person with your care team.
The lab behind your results
Pelvic vein symptoms can be tricky to pin down, so careful imaging matters. FCCI's Non-Invasive Vascular Lab is accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission and is the only lab in Jacksonville that does nothing but vascular testing. Registered vascular technologists handle the scan, and your doctor follows up to talk through results and next steps. Ultrasound uses no needles or radiation, and you can go about your day right after.
Insurance at a glance
Insurance questions come up a lot with pelvic and leg vein care. The list FCCI accepts includes Medicare, AARP Medicare Complete, Aetna, Ambetter, AvMed, Blue Cross Blue Shield (except Shands' Gator Care), CarePlus, Cigna Healthcare, Devoted Health, Humana (except Humana Gold Plus HMO and Humana Medicaid), Medicaid of Florida and Georgia, Molina, Multiplan, Simply Medicare & Medicaid, Sunshine Medicaid, Tricare for Life, Prime and Standard, UMR, United Healthcare, Wellcare and Wellmed PPO & HMO. Since plans change, call 904.493.3333 first; a self-pay fee schedule is available too.
If pelvic pressure and leg veins seem connected, bring it up with a vein specialist. Call 904.493.3333, Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm, or request a visit from our booking page. Leg swelling that arrives with chest pain or shortness of breath needs 911.
