Corrine Jones' Life-Changing Discovery

Pelvic pain is often a challenging and mysterious issue, affecting millions of women worldwide. For many, the pain can be debilitating, leading to missed activities and a reduced quality of life. A recent article from OK! Magazine highlights the story of Corrine Jones, a 36-year-old woman from Newquay in Cornwall, who struggled with unexplained pelvic pain for years before a chance discovery about Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS) led to a life-changing diagnosis.

The Struggle to Find a Diagnosis

Corrine Jones experienced ongoing discomfort and heaviness around her abdominal area, which became increasingly debilitating. Despite visiting doctors for various symptoms, including varicose veins, her pelvic pain remained undiagnosed. After years of frustration and misdiagnoses, including suspicion of appendicitis or endometriosis, she finally found the answer when she came across a post on Instagram about PCS.

"I felt really frustrated. I was in so much pain that all I could do was lie in bed, and I was missing out on playing with my children because I was so uncomfortable," said Corrine. It was only after learning about PCS that things began to make sense.

What Is Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS)?

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome is a lesser-known condition that affects around 1.5 million women in the UK. It involves pelvic varicose veins, which cause chronic pelvic pain and discomfort. According to Professor Mark Whiteley from The Whiteley Clinic, PCS is often overlooked due to a lack of awareness within the medical community. "The simplest summary is, it's pelvic varicose veins," he explains. Unfortunately, many women are misdiagnosed with other conditions such as endometriosis, leading to prolonged suffering without a clear solution.

Diagnosing and Treating PCS

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome can be difficult to diagnose as its symptoms are often mistaken for other common conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or endometriosis. However, Professor Whiteley emphasises that diagnosing PCS is relatively simple with the use of a transvaginal duplex ultrasound scan using Holdstock-Harrison protocol. Unfortunately, many women are not offered this test, leading to missed diagnoses and unnecessary treatments.

In Corrine’s case, after being diagnosed with level two PCS, she underwent a procedure called pelvic vein embolisation in October 2023. This treatment, which involves blocking the affected veins with platinum coils, provided quick relief. “It’s changed my life,” Corrine shared, describing the vast improvement in her quality of life post-treatment.

Symptoms and Signs of PCS

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome manifests through both internal and external symptoms. Internally, individuals may experience pelvic aching, which worsens with standing or sitting but alleviates when lying down. Other symptoms include deep pelvic pain during or after sexual intercourse. Externally, visible signs such as varicose veins in the vulva or vagina may appear. Professor Whiteley also highlights that many women with leg varicose veins may have pelvic varicose veins, which contribute to PCS.

The Importance of Awareness and Early Intervention

Despite being a common condition, Pelvic Congestion Syndrome remains largely under-recognised, particularly among gynecologists. Many women, like Corrine, spend years seeking answers without receiving an accurate diagnosis. Professor Whiteley stresses the importance of awareness within the medical community and among the public. "Currently, the patients we see are those who have usually consulted a gynecologist and either been misdiagnosed with endometriosis or told there's nothing wrong," he said.

As PCS continues to affect many women, raising awareness about this condition and advocating for better diagnostic practices is crucial for improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

To read the full article, click here.