Comparison of treatments for pelvic congestion syndrome

To evaluate the efficacy of various treatments for pelvic congestion syndrome in patients with different stress levels, we analyzed one hundred six patients with pelvic congestion syndrome, confirmed with laparoscopy and venography, who did not respond to medication after 4-6 months medication. They were divided into three groups: (embolotherapy; hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy and hormone replacement therapy; and hysterectomy with unilateral oophorectomy). The visual analog scale was used to measure degree of pain; stress level data were scored with the revised social readjustment rating scale. Embolotherapy was significantly more effective at reducing pelvic pain, compared to the other methods (p < 0.05). The mean percentage decrease in pain was significantly greater in the patients with lower stress scores (p < 0.05). Ovarian and/or internal iliac vein embolization appears to be a safe, well-tolerated, effective treatment for pelvic congestion syndrome that has not responded to medication.