Ovarian Veins in Women
The ovaries are the female gonad - the equivalent to the male testicle. Before birth the ovaries grow in the same place in the foetus - up by the kidney. As the baby girl develops, the ovaries move down into the pelvis - taking their veins - the ovarian veins - with them (see animation below).
This is IDENTICAL to the male - with the sole exception that the ovaries stay inside the pelvis and do not continue to the outside, as the testicles do.
Not surprisingly, the ovarian veins can go wrong just as the testicular veins can.
In exactly the same way, if the valves in the ovarian vein give up working, a "varicocele" is formed around the ovary.
Ovarian, or Pelvic, Varicocele - 'Varicose Veins in the pelvis'
Again, not surprisingly the swollen veins in the pelvis can cause aching and a "dragging" feeling, especially during a period - just as a variocele around a testicle can cause symptoms.
However, there are 2 main differences in women:
Firstly, the veins can spread further in the pelvis, pushing on the bladder and bowel and irritating them.
Secondly, as they are on the inside and therefore invisible to doctors, they are usually ignored by doctors and patients alike - the symptoms being put down to "women's problems".
