Pelvic veins and varicose veins – most UK evidence

The bulk of scientific evidence about Pelvic Vein Reflux and Varicose Veins in UK – and a significant contribution to the World Literature – from Whiteley et al

Pelvic veins can cause pelvic varicose veins, just as leg veins can cause leg varicose veins.

Until about 20 years ago, doctors thought that leg varicose veins were only a leg problem.

In 2000, Prof Mark Whiteley started finding and treating pelvic varicose veins that were causing leg varicose veins.

Whiteley and his team showed that 1 in 6 women, and 1 in 30 men, with leg varicose veins, had them arising from pelvic varicose veins.

In addition, they found that failure to treat pelvic vein reflux was one of the commonest causes of women getting leg varicose veins back again after treatment.

Investigating pelvic vein reflux

Mark Whiteley and his colleagues Judy Holdstock and Charmaine Harrison developed the transvaginal venous duplex ultrasound scan for pelvic vein reflux.

They have shown that when used in the way that they described (the Holdstock-Harrison protocol) it is the gold standard way of assessing pelvic vein reflux.

The Bulk of Scientific Evidence in the UK.

Despite Mark Whiteley and his team having published their results over the last 20 years, as well as Mark writing a book on the subject, most patients, doctors and nurses still seem to be unaware of this link.

This is a major reason why many patients get varicose veins back again after treatment.

Therefore it was very satisfying when Prof Campbell independently wrote a paper stating that the bulk of the scientific evidence in the UK, and a significant part of the world literature, came from Mark Whiteley and The Whiteley Clinic.

Increasing interest in Pelvic Veins and Pelvic Congestion Syndrome.

With increasing numbers of newspaper articles, and a recent article on the BBC, about pelvic congestion syndrome, slowly the public, doctors and nurses are becoming aware of this problem.

Look out for the College of Phlebology Venous Registry icon to see which doctors are allowing their results to be monitored to ensure the best results for their patients

The Whiteley Clinic will continue to be at the forefront of the research and treatment of patients with pelvic venous reflux causing pelvic congestion syndrome and leg varicose veins.

Because all of the doctors at The Whiteley Clinic are part of the College of Phlebology Venous Registry, patients can be certain that all of their results are being monitored.

More information about pelvic vein reflux, pelvic congestion syndrome and leg varicose veins:

For more information please see the book: “Pelvic congestion syndrome – chronic pelvic pain and pelvic venous disorders”

or contact us through our contact page.