PCS Like Symptoms are often overlooked during diagnosis. April is IBS Awareness Month, and we want to highlight that there is another condition that can present with very similar signs to IBS. This condition is caused by internal varicose veins in the pelvis and is known as Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS).

IBS symptoms can closely resemble those of PCS, leading to many women being misdiagnosed with IBS instead of the underlying condition they are actually experiencing.

Commonly the symptoms can be:

• pain during sex (dyspareunia)


• bloating and swelling of your stomach


• abdominal (stomach) pain and cramping


• a lack of energy (lethargy)


• pain in the lower back

Not only are there the physical symptoms, but both conditions can also have a significant impact on a person's day-to-day life and can have a deep psychological impact. As a result, many people with either condition can have feelings of depression and anxiety.

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Pelvic Congestion Syndrome and how it is treated

PCS Like Symptoms are often misunderstood, as Pelvic Congestion Syndrome is a collection of signs caused by venous congestion in the pelvis. PCS is a recognised cause of chronic pelvic pain in many women. Unfortunately, many doctors in the UK do not fully understand it, and some are not even aware it exists. Because of this, many women with chronic pelvic pain never receive the correct diagnosis or treatment.

Unlike IBS, which has no specific test, Pelvic Congestion Syndrome can be diagnosed using the gold standard method: the TransVaginal Duplex Ultrasound scan (TVS), a test pioneered at The Whiteley Clinic by expert Sonographers Judy Holdstock and Charmaine Harrison.

Commonly, women with PCS experience a “dragging” pain in the pelvis, particularly when standing or sitting. PCS is treated using Pelvic Vein Embolisation, a specialist procedure performed by Dr David Beckett and Dr Previn Diwakar.

Dr David Beckett, Interventional Radiologist at The Whiteley Clinic was featured in The Express on this topic. Follow the link below to read the article.

The Whiteley Clinic has been researching pelvic vein reflux and pelvic congestion syndrome for over 15 years. We have published research into the investigation and treatment of this condition and regularly present our research around the world.

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For more information or to book an appointment, use the contact form on our website or contact us at [email protected] or 01483 477180.