The distended veins around the ovary and in the pelvis can push on the bladder and rectum. This can give symptoms of:

- Pelvic Pain or Aching
- Dragging Pain in Pelvis
- Stress Incontinence worsened
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome worsened

As the hormones in the menstrual cycle affect these veins, these symptoms (if present) are worse around the time of the period.

Not every woman with pelvic vein reflux gets symptoms. Many don't know there is any thing wrong UNTIL they get pregnant.

During pregnancy the veins in the pelvis dilated further - and then open up varicose veins in the vagina - then the vulva and finally into the legs.

Women with this problem seem to develop vulval varicose veins during pregnancy (we have only ever found one woman with this condition who hasn't been pregnant).

When the baby is delivered, the vulval varicose veins get smaller as the hormones reduce.

However, the veins that have been opened have lost their valves and hence continue to reflux. If left untreated, these veins spread into the leg and appear as varicose veins.