Pelvic congestion syndrome treatment: embolization success rates from every published study

By the MALS Compass editorial teamPublished November 8, 2026Physician review: planned

Embolization, a minimally invasive procedure that closes enlarged pelvic veins from the inside, is the most common treatment for pelvic congestion syndrome. Hospitals publish their own results, and they differ. We read the abstracts of every pelvic congestion treatment study in PubMed and put the numbers side by side, so you can see what to expect across many hospitals, not just one.

37embolization studies that report a success rate

3,875patients in those studies

85%improved, weighted by study size

7.5 → 1.4average pain score before and after (0-10), 15 studies

What the numbers show

In most published studies, the large majority of women report less pelvic pain after embolization.
Where pain scores were measured before and after, average pain fell from severe to mild on a 0-10 scale.
Symptoms come back in some women; the studies that report recurrence give a median of roughly one in five, so follow-up matters.
Serious complications are uncommon in these reports, and the procedure is technically successful in nearly all cases.
Very few trials compare embolization with other treatments or with no treatment, so the evidence comes mostly from case series.

Table of Contents

Results by type of treatment

"Improved (weighted)" counts every patient once, so large studies count more. "Median study" is the middle value when studies are lined up from lowest to highest success. Pain scores are averages from the studies that reported them, before treatment and at the last follow-up.

Treatment	Studies with a rate	Patients	Improved (weighted)	Median study	Range	Pain before → after (0-10)
Ovarian vein embolization	21 of 31	2,382	83%	87%	52%-100%	7.4 -> 1.1 (8)
Ovarian + internal iliac vein embolization	6 of 9	771	91%	89%	83%-95%	7.6 -> 1.4 (5)
Embolization (veins not stated)	10 of 18	722	84%	90%	71%-96%	6.8 -> 2 (2)
Venous stenting	4 of 7	283	87%	80%	76%-98%	6.5 -> 1 (2)
Several treatments compared	5 of 17	435	89%	91%	69%-93%	7.6 -> 2 (5)

Differences between treatments in this table come from different hospitals, patients and definitions of success, not from head-to-head comparisons. Embolizing the internal iliac veins in addition to the ovarian veins is usually done when those veins are also enlarged.

All studies

Filter by treatment. Each title opens the study in PubMed. "Improved" is the share of treated patients with pain relief or clinical success as that study defined it; the definition and the embolic material (coils, foam, glue, plugs) are shown under the title.

Treatment only studies with a success rate

Study	Year	Patients	Treatment	Improved	Pain before -> after	Follow-up
Differences in Clinical Presentation of Chronic Pelvic Pain Caused by Iliac Vein Obstruction Impacts Referral Pathway,… Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg · Australia · outcome: full pain resolution (approximately)	2026	113	Venous stenting	80%	6.7 -> 0.8	84 mo
Iliac vein stenting with or without ovarian vein embolization for May-Thurner syndrome-associated pelvic venous disorder in… J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · China · outcome: >= 50% VAS reduction at 12 months: 54.9% IVS alone, 74.1% simultaneous, 69.5% staged	2026	184	Several treatments compared	-	-	37 mo
Comparative Study Between Isolated Iliac Vein Stenting Versus Concomitant Iliac Vein Stenting with Pelvic Vein Embolization… Ann Vasc Surg · Egypt · coils and 3% polidocanol · outcome: sustained clinical improvement: 100% stent + embolization vs 50% stent only	2026	20	Several treatments compared	-	-	-
Improvement of Symptoms and Health Related Quality of Life after Surgical Treatment in Patients with Pelvic… Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg · Brazil · outcome: complete pelvic pain resolution (52% mean pain reduction at 6 months)	2026	51	Other	49%	-	12 mo
Transvaginal Completion Embolization after Transvenous Treatment of Pelvic Venous Disorders. J Vasc Interv Radiol · France · n-butyl cyanoacrylate-ethiodized oil emulsion (transvaginal)	2026	32	Embolization (veins not stated)	-	-	12 mo
Anxiety-Depressive Symptoms and Pain Response Following Venous Interventions for Venous-Origin Chronic Pelvic Pain Related to Pelvic… Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol · China · outcome: good pain response = VAS reduction >= 50%	2026	103	Other	78%	7.41 -> 2.46	3 mo
Short-term outcomes of ovarian vein embolization with adjunctive local sclerotherapy in patients with pelvic venous disorder… Front Surg · China · outcome: complete (56%) or partial (44%) symptom relief	2026	16	Ovarian vein embolization	100%	5.8 -> 0.9	7 mo
Endovascular reintervention versus conservative medical therapy for persistent or recurrent venous-origin chronic pelvic pain after primary… J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · China · outcome: 3-month CPP relief (VAS reduction >= 2): 27/40 reintervention vs 14/39 venoactive drugs	2026	79	Embolization (veins not stated)	-	-	12 mo
Bottom-up versus top-down treatment strategies for pelvic venous disorders: Comparative analysis of pain relief, recurrence, and… J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · Egypt · top-down embolization vs bottom-up ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy	2026	40	Embolization (veins not stated)	-	-	-
Direct transvaginal ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy for pelvic venous disease. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · Spain · 3% polidocanol foam (transvaginal direct injection)	2026	23	Sclerotherapy only	-	-	12 mo
Endovenous embolization of pelvic congestion syndrome: Impact on pain, sexual function, and quality of life-A multidisciplinary… J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · Turkey · outcome: pelvic pain decreased (VAS response rate 88.7%)	2026	80	Ovarian vein embolization	94%	-	6 mo
Comparative study between foam sclerotherapy and sandwich technique for management of ovarian vein reflux. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · Egypt · polidocanol 3% foam vs sandwich technique · outcome: >= 50% VAS reduction (rate not given)	2026	40	Ovarian vein embolization	-	-	12 mo
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome: Retrospective Analysis Single-Institution Series Reported in Latin America (2019-2023). Ann Vasc Surg · Colombia · coils · outcome: symptom improvement	2026	1294	Ovarian vein embolization	87%	-	-
Transcatheter cyanoacrylate embolization vs. pharmacologic therapy for gonadal vein reflux in symptomatic pelvic venous disorders: a… Diagn Interv Radiol · Egypt · cyanoacrylate glue · outcome: clinical success: 95% embolization vs 70% MPFF	2026	40	Ovarian vein embolization	-	-	12 mo
Comparison of ovarian vein embolization alone with pelvic venous plexus embolization in the treatment of pelvic… J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · Turkey	2026	72	Ovarian vein embolization	-	-	12 mo
Understanding Recurrence in Pelvic Venous Disorders through the Symptoms-Varices-Pathophysiology Classification: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study. J Vasc Interv Radiol · Spain	2026	244	Ovarian + internal iliac vein embolization	-	-	24 mo
Stenting for symptomatic left renal vein compression in patients with complex pelvic venous disease is safe… J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · USA · outcome: symptom resolution, complete (24) or partial (15)	2026	43	Several treatments compared	91%	-	47 mo
Basilic vein access as an effective alternative for endovascular embolization of pelvic varicose veins: A retrospective-cohort… Vascular · Colombia · coils · outcome: symptom resolution	2026	292	Ovarian + internal iliac vein embolization	95%	-	6 mo
Evaluation of the feasibility, safety, and preliminary effectiveness of coil and foam embolization in patients with… Front Med (Lausanne) · China · coils + polidocanol foam sclerotherapy · outcome: VAS decrease >= 50% at final follow-up (83.5% at 6 months)	2026	158	Ovarian vein embolization	76%	-	-
Ovarian vein interventions in patients with combined radiologically significant left renal vein compression and symptomatic pelvic… Phlebology · Russia · outcome: elimination of chronic pelvic pain	2026	24	Ovarian vein embolization	100%	-	-
Impact of Iliac Vein Compression on the Outcome of Pelvic Venous Embolization in Patients with Pelvic… J Vasc Interv Radiol · China · outcome: chronic pelvic pain control	2026	102	Embolization (veins not stated)	80%	-	-
A novel endovascular thermal ablation technique for pelvic venous disorders via basilic vein access: A prospective… J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · Colombia · none (1470-nm endovenous laser ablation)	2026	10	Other	-	7.8 -> 0.4	6 mo
Analysis of factors influencing the efficacy of ovarian vein embolization for pelvic venous insufficiency and development… J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · China · outcome: remission = MCID improvement in PVCSS at 3 months	2026	82	Ovarian vein embolization	52%	-	3 mo
Prevalence of gynecological disorders in women with symptomatic pelvic venous disorders. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · USA	2026	2544	Venous stenting	-	-	28 mo
Paradigm shift and long-term results in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic venous disorder. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · Brazil	2026	146	Several treatments compared	-	-	110 mo
Incidence and management of symptomatic pelvic venous disorders in patients with lower extremity varicose veins. Phlebology · Greece	2026	15	Ovarian vein embolization	-	8 -> 0	17 mo
Effectiveness and safety of detachable fibered coils as a single therapy for embolization in venous origin… Phlebology · Spain · detachable fibered coils	2026	255	Embolization (veins not stated)	-	-	-
Symptoms and quality of life assessment after coil and foam embolization in patients with venous-origin chronic… Ann Med · Poland · coils and foam	2025	40	Embolization (veins not stated)	-	6.25 -> 2.49	30 mo
Venoactive drug treatment for patients with pelvic varicose veins: Results of the single-center, randomized, open-label study… Vasc Med · Russia · outcome: pain elimination (all MPFF, 37/50 diosmin, 35/50 HDC at 2 months)	2025	150	Other	-	-	2 mo
Bilateral ovarian vein coil embolization with crossover technique in pelvic venous disease: One year follow-up results. Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cerrahisi Derg · Turkey · coils	2025	34	Ovarian vein embolization	-	8.1 -> 2.1	12 mo
Impact of Sarcopenia on Outcomes Following Endovascular Treatment of Patients with Pelvic Venous Insufficiency. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol · Turkey · outcome: success = pelvic pain reduction >= 50% (rate not given)	2025	62	Other	-	-	3 mo
Efficacy and safety of ovarian vein embolization with N-butyl-2 cyanoacrylate for pelvic venous disorder: Analysis of… J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · Spain · N-butyl-2 cyanoacrylate (glue)	2025	100	Ovarian vein embolization	-	-	-
Coil occlusion combined with sclerotherapy versus N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate embolization in patients with pelvic venous disorders: A single-center… J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · Egypt · coils + sclerosant foam (n=87) vs N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (n=80)	2025	167	Embolization (veins not stated)	-	-	6 mo
Medical treatment for pelvic congestion syndrome with flavonoid: A pilot study. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol · Taiwan · outcome: significant decrease in VAS	2025	11	Other	91%	5.9 -> 2.5	-
Does Pelvic Congestion Cause Bladder Symptoms-Potential New Indication to Treat Pelvic Congestion. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol · Australia · outcome: bladder symptom improvement after OVE (in patients with bladder symptoms)	2025	80	Ovarian vein embolization	-	-	-
Comparison of Embolization Using Coil Versus Coil and Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer in Pelvic venous Disorders. Ann Vasc Surg · Turkey · coils alone (n=31) vs coils + ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (n=59)	2025	90	Ovarian vein embolization	-	-	12 mo
A keep-it-simple embolisation approach to treat pelvic congestion syndrome without compromising clinical effectiveness. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol · Australia · pushable coils sandwiching sclerosing foam · outcome: clinical success at 1-5 years (89% at 6 weeks)	2025	139	Ovarian + internal iliac vein embolization	84%	7.8 -> 2.7	-
Long-term follow-up for the treatment of symptomatic pelvic venous insufficiency secondary to combined iliac vein stenosis… J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · USA	2025	141	Venous stenting	-	6.4 -> 1.15	12 mo
Iliac venous stenting provides long-term relief from chronic pelvic pain. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · Australia · outcome: improved pain scores (73% complete resolution)	2025	113	Venous stenting	98%	-	60 mo
Prospective Cohort Study of a Treatment Strategy for a Combination of the Left Common Iliac Vein… J Endovasc Ther · Russia · outcome: chronic pelvic pain relief after primary LCIV stenting	2025	49	Several treatments compared	69%	7.9 -> 1.7	12 mo
ENDOVASCULAR INTERVENTIONS: A NEW INSIGHTS AND CLINICAL PRACTICE. Georgian Med News · Iraq · coils · outcome: success (not defined; may be technical)	2024	23	Embolization (veins not stated)	-	-	-
Effects of Venoactive Drug Therapy and Ovarian Vein Interventions on Vasoactive Neuropeptide and Cytokine Levels in… Ann Vasc Surg · Russia	2024	70	Several treatments compared	-	-	-
Effectiveness and safety of coils plus glue in slope embankment technology versus coils plus sclerosant in… J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · China · coils plus glue vs coils plus sclerosant	2024	165	Embolization (veins not stated)	-	-	36 mo
Chronic Pelvic Pain in Congestion Pelvic Syndrome: Clinical Impact and Electromyography Pelvic Floor Activity Prior to… J Pers Med · Italy · outcome: improvement of the main symptoms	2024	32	Ovarian + internal iliac vein embolization	90%	-	8 mo
Improvement in chronic pelvic pain, orthostatic intolerance and interstitial cystitis symptoms after treatment of pelvic vein… Phlebology · USA	2024	45	Several treatments compared	-	-	-
A Comparative Study of a Small Series of Patients (50 Patients) with Pelvic Varicose Veins Treated… J Clin Med · Spain · vascular plugs alone or plugs + polidocanol foam · outcome: pain relief (clinical success by VAS at 1 year)	2023	50	Embolization (veins not stated)	90%	-	12 mo
Surgical and endovascular treatment of pelvic venous disorder: Results of a multicentre retrospective cohort study. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · Russia · coils	2023	361	Several treatments compared	-	-	-
Retrospective Analysis of Complications After Gonadal Vein Interventions for Pelvic Venous Disorder. J Surg Res · Russia · coils	2023	277	Several treatments compared	-	-	36 mo
Efficacy of endovascular treatment of pelvic varicose veins: A single-center retrospective observational study. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · Netherlands · outcome: partial or complete relief of symptoms	2023	75	Embolization (veins not stated)	71%	-	13 mo
Complications and Adverse Events of Gonadal Vein Embolization with Coils. J Pers Med · Russia · coils · outcome: CPP decreased at 30 days	2022	150	Ovarian vein embolization	73%	-	1 mo
Efficacy of the endovascular ovarian vein embolization technique in pelvic venous congestion syndrome. Pol J Radiol · Turkey · coils alone or coils plus other materials · outcome: pain management very successful or successful	2022	144	Ovarian vein embolization	64%	-	-
A novel management strategy for treatment of pelvic venous disorders utilizing a clinical screening score and… Vasa · Switzerland · coils, sclerotherapy · outcome: improvement of the leading symptom	2022	43	Several treatments compared	93%	-	4 mo
Use of a novel Likert scale instrument to assess patient satisfaction following endovascular and surgical treatment… Phlebology · Russia · coils	2022	100	Several treatments compared	-	-	6 mo
Embolization in pelvic venous disorders using ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx®) and Aetoxysclerol: a prospective evaluation… Eur Radiol · France · ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx) + Aetoxysclerol (polidocanol) · outcome: impairment score < 40/100 and 50% decrease in overall score	2022	73	Embolization (veins not stated)	96%	-	28 mo
Ovarian Vein Embolization With N-butyl-2 Cyanoacrylate Glubran-2® for the Treatment of Pelvic Venous Disorder. Front Surg · China · N-butyl-2 cyanoacrylate glue (Glubran-2), microcoils in 3 initial procedures · outcome: complete or slight improvement of CPP	2021	21	Ovarian vein embolization	-	-	62 mo
Endovascular Treatment of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome: Visual Analog Scale Follow-Up. Front Cardiovasc Med · France · ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx) · outcome: improvement or disappearance of pain	2021	288	Several treatments compared	92%	6.9 -> 2	39 mo
Clinical Efficacy of Conservative Treatment with Micronized Purified Flavonoid Fraction in Female Patients with Pelvic Congestion… Pain Ther · Russia	2021	42	Other	-	-	2 mo
The Effect of Venoactive Drug Therapy on the Development and Severity of Post-Embolization Syndrome in Endovascular… J Pers Med · Russia · coils · outcome: pelvic venous pain reduction after embolization	2021	70	Ovarian vein embolization	77%	-	1 mo
Pelvic congestion syndrome and May-Thurner syndrome as causes for chronic pelvic pain syndrome: neuropelveological diagnosis and… Facts Views Vis Obgyn · outcome: improvement of pain	2021	14	Ovarian vein embolization	100%	7.21 -> 3.28	6 mo
Pelvic venous insufficiency secondary to iliac vein stenosis and ovarian vein reflux treated with iliac vein… J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · USA · outcome: complete resolution of all symptoms at 6 months	2021	38	Venous stenting	76%	-	6 mo
Efficacy of two micronized purified flavonoid fraction dosing regimens in the pelvic venous pain relief. Int Angiol · Russia	2021	125	Other	-	-	2 mo
Comparative analysis of the efficacy and safety of endovascular and endoscopic interventions on the gonadal veins… J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · Russia · coils	2021	95	Several treatments compared	-	-	36 mo
Pelvic Venous Disorders in Women due to Pelvic Varices: Treatment by Embolization: Experience in 520 Patients. J Vasc Interv Radiol · Spain	2020	520	Ovarian + internal iliac vein embolization	-	7.63 -> 0.91	59 mo
MRI associated factors of clinical efficacy of embolization in patients with pelvic venous insufficiency. Diagn Interv Imaging · France · outcome: clinical efficacy by patient opinion or VAS (complete or significant partial improvement)	2020	168	Embolization (veins not stated)	75%	-	36 mo
Endovascular interventions in the treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome caused by May-Thurner syndrome. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · Russia · coils (gonadal vein, 10 patients) · outcome: elimination of PCS signs after iliac stenting + gonadal vein embolization (stenting alone 16.6%)	2020	12	Several treatments compared	83%	7.7 -> 4.8	6 mo
The Effect of a Subsequent Pregnancy After Ovarian Vein Embolization in Patients with Infertility Caused by… Acad Radiol · China · fibre platinum coils + anhydrous alcohol · outcome: complete (8) or partial (4) pelvic pain relief	2019	12	Ovarian vein embolization	100%	6.7 -> 2.7	-
Iliac vein stenosis is an underdiagnosed cause of pelvic venous insufficiency. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · USA · chemical (sclerosant) +/- coils	2018	227	Several treatments compared	-	8.45 -> 1.86	-
A Randomized Trial of Endovascular Embolization Treatment in Pelvic Congestion Syndrome: Fibered Platinum Coils versus Vascular… J Vasc Interv Radiol · Spain · fibered platinum coils vs vascular plugs · outcome: clinical success / pain relief at 1 year by VAS (89.7% coils vs 90.6% plugs)	2018	100	Embolization (veins not stated)	90%	-	12 mo
Compression treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome. Phlebology · Russia · outcome: positive effect of class II compression shorts (group 1)	2018	48	Other	81%	6.4 -> 1.2	-
Diagnosis and treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome: Single-centre experiences. Adv Clin Exp Med · Poland · outcome: significant improvement in clinical status	2017	10	Ovarian vein embolization	100%	-	-
Embolization of ovarian vein for pelvic congestion syndrome with ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx®). Diagn Interv Imaging · France · ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx) · outcome: secondary clinical efficacy: symptom resolution at end of follow-up irrespective of number of procedures (primary 76.4%)	2017	17	Ovarian vein embolization	94%	-	24 mo
Evaluation of embolization for periuterine varices involving chronic pelvic pain secondary to pelvic congestion syndrome. Clinics (Sao Paulo) · Brazil · outcome: reduction in pelvic pain after first (17) or second (3) embolization	2016	22	Embolization (veins not stated)	91%	-	-
Evaluation of Effectiveness of Embolization in Pelvic Congestion Syndrome with the New Vascular Occlusion Device (ArtVentive… Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol · Poland · ArtVentive EOS occlusion device · outcome: decrease in VAS pain intensity	2016	11	Ovarian vein embolization	100%	7.3 -> 1.6	-
Venous angioplasty and stenting improve pelvic congestion syndrome caused by venous outflow obstruction. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · USA · outcome: complete resolution of pelvic pain	2015	19	Venous stenting	79%	-	11 mo
Evaluation of effectiveness of endovascular embolisation for the treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome--preliminary study. Ginekol Pol · detachable coils and/or microcoils	2015	23	Ovarian vein embolization	-	8 -> 1	3 mo
Embolization is essential in the treatment of leg varicosities due to pelvic venous insufficiency. Phlebology · France · coils and polidocanol foam · outcome: improvement of PCS after embolization (60% without any pain)	2015	78	Embolization (veins not stated)	91%	-	4 mo
Endovascular intervention for pelvic congestion syndrome is justified for chronic pelvic pain relief and patient satisfaction. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord · USA · coils and/or Amplatzer plug	2014	8	Several treatments compared	-	9.375 -> 1.875	48 mo
Safety, efficacy, and prognostic factors in endovascular treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome. Int J Gynaecol Obstet · Spain · coils · outcome: clinical success (53% no pain, 47% reduced pain at 12 months)	2014	113	Ovarian vein embolization	100%	7.34 -> 0.47	12 mo
Treatment of symptomatic high-flow female varicoceles with stop-flow foam sclerotherapy. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol · Italy · 3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate foam, stop-flow with balloon occlusion	2014	26	Sclerotherapy only	-	-	12 mo
Evaluation of the efficacy of endovascular treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome. Diagn Interv Imaging · France · outcome: symptoms completely (20) or partially (11) disappeared	2014	33	Embolization (veins not stated)	94%	7.37 -> 1.36	26 mo
Endovascular treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome: visual analog scale (VAS) long-term follow-up clinical evaluation in 202… Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol · Spain · coils · outcome: clinical success (complete disappearance of symptoms 33.52%)	2013	202	Ovarian + internal iliac vein embolization	94%	7.34 -> 0.78	60 mo
Embolization to treat pelvic congestion syndrome and vulval varicose veins. Int J Gynaecol Obstet · Netherlands · outcome: some degree of improvement of symptoms at survey time	2012	21	Embolization (veins not stated)	76%	-	-
Transcatheter foam sclerotherapy of symptomatic female varicocele with sodium-tetradecyl-sulfate foam. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol · Italy · 3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate foam (transcatheter)	2008	38	Sclerotherapy only	-	-	12 mo
Transcatheter ovarian vein embolization using coils for the treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol · Korea · coils · outcome: pain reduction, satisfied, no further treatment	2007	67	Ovarian vein embolization	82%	-	-
Embolotherapy for pelvic congestion syndrome: long-term results. J Vasc Interv Radiol · USA · outcome: clinical improvement at long-term follow-up	2006	97	Ovarian + internal iliac vein embolization	83%	7.6 -> 2.9	45 mo
Endovascular stenting in the treatment of pelvic vein congestion caused by nutcracker syndrome: lessons learned from… J Vasc Surg · France	2005	5	Venous stenting	-	-	14 mo
The pelvic congestion syndrome: role of the "nutcracker phenomenon" and results of endovascular treatment. JBR-BTR · Belgium · outcome: long-term clinical benefit (initial clinical success 86%)	2004	48	Ovarian vein embolization	75%	-	-
Bilateral laparoscopic transperitoneal ligation of ovarian veins for treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome. J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc · Italy	2003	23	Laparoscopic vein ligation	-	-	12 mo
Initial experience with ovarian vein embolization for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Isr Med Assoc J · Israel · coils · outcome: partial or complete relief of symptoms	2003	6	Ovarian vein embolization	83%	-	7 mo
Percutaneous treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome. Radiol Med · Italy · 3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate (sclerosis alone, transbrachial)	2003	33	Sclerotherapy only	-	-	-
Pelvic congestion syndrome (pelvic venous incompetence): impact of ovarian and internal iliac vein embolotherapy on menstrual… J Vasc Interv Radiol · USA · sclerosing agent and coils	2002	56	Ovarian + internal iliac vein embolization	-	7.8 -> 2.7	22 mo
The nutcracker syndrome: its role in the pelvic venous disorders. J Vasc Surg · USA · coils (internal iliac tributaries, 3 patients)	2001	-	Several treatments compared	-	-	36 mo
Ovarian vein embolization for the treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome: long-term technical and clinical results. J Vasc Interv Radiol · Belgium · glue (enbucrilate + lipiodol); enbucrilate + minicoils in 1 · outcome: total relief of symptoms (additional 9.7% variable relief)	2000	41	Ovarian vein embolization	59%	-	20 mo
Pelvic congestion syndrome: early clinical results after transcatheter ovarian vein embolization. J Vasc Surg · USA · stainless steel coils or platinum microcoils and absorbable gelatin sponge · outcome: more than 80% immediate relief	1998	9	Ovarian + internal iliac vein embolization	89%	-	13 mo
Pelvic pain syndrome caused by ovarian varices. Treatment by transcatheter embolization. Acta Radiol · Russia · outcome: pelvic pain syndrome disappeared	1997	6	Ovarian vein embolization	100%	-	-
Treatment of symptomatic pelvic varices by ovarian vein embolization. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol · Belgium · enbucrilate and/or macrocoils · outcome: variable symptomatic relief (complete response 57.9%)	1997	19	Ovarian vein embolization	74%	-	15 mo

Extracted by our editors from the PubMed abstracts of 312 pelvic congestion syndrome papers screened (112 report treatment outcomes), built November 9, 2026. Every number was checked against a verbatim quote from the abstract.

How we built this

We searched PubMed for pelvic congestion syndrome, pelvic venous disorders and ovarian (gonadal) vein embolization, and screened every paper with an abstract that mentions treatment and is not a single case report.
For each study we recorded the number of treated patients, the treatment, follow-up, the share who improved, pain scores, technical success, complications and recurrence, only as stated in the abstract.
Every number is stored with the exact sentence from the abstract that supports it, and a script checks that the sentence and the number are really there. A few studies were excluded by our editors because they were about other conditions; each decision is documented.
Systematic reviews are listed in PubMed but not added to the totals, to avoid counting the same patients twice.

Limitations

Abstracts are short; full papers may contain details we did not capture.
Studies define success differently and follow women for different lengths of time.
Hospitals with good results are more likely to publish, so real-world success may be lower.
Some groups published several papers about overlapping patients.
Pelvic pain has many causes. These results apply to women in whom enlarged pelvic veins were found to be the likely cause.

Questions to ask before embolization

How sure are you that enlarged veins, and not another condition, are causing my pain?
Which veins would you treat, and with which material?
How many of these procedures do you do, and what share of your patients improve?
What happens if the pain comes back, and how would we check for it?
Do I also have vein compression (nutcracker or May-Thurner syndrome) that should be treated first?

Read our guide to pelvic congestion syndrome, and about nutcracker syndrome and May-Thurner syndrome, which can cause pelvic vein congestion.

MALS Compass is an independent educational website, not a medical provider, and is not affiliated with any hospital, clinic or university. This page is educational information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. For any question about your health, please contact your doctor or an official healthcare institution.