Does pelvic congestion syndrome cause weight gain? This is a question many women ask when they start gaining weight unexpectedly. As someone who has struggled with pelvic pain and weight gain myself, I understand the frustration.
Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) often causes painful varicose veins in the pelvis along with a host of other awful symptoms. But despite dealing with chronic pain, bloating, and fatigue from PCS, I still can’t seem to lose an ounce. What gives?
This article will discuss the complex relationship between PCS and weight gain. I’ll share my struggles trying to lose weight with this condition, the vicious cycles it can trap you in, and most importantly – tips to help relieve your symptoms and hopefully prevent packing on unwanted pounds.
Understand The Causes of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
Pelvic congestion syndrome is caused when varicose veins form in the pelvis, causing pain, pressure, and discomfort. The specific causes include:
- Hormonal changes – Fluctuation in reproductive hormones during puberty, pregnancy, and perimenopause can contribute to pelvic vein problems.
- Genetics – Some women are simply prone to developing vascular disorders like varicose veins.
- Previous leg vein issues – If you’ve had varicose veins or blood clots in your legs, you may be more at risk for pelvic congestion.
- Other health conditions – Endometriosis, fibroids, irritable bowel syndrome, and pelvic trauma may play a role.
- Lifestyle factors – Jobs that require lots of standing, obesity, and a history of constipation or straining can sometimes be tied to PCS as well.
Unfortunately, there is no definitive cure for PCS. However, you can choose several pelvic congestion syndrome treatment methods to minimize its symptoms.
As you can see, there are many potential contributors to developing those painful varicose pelvic veins. But does pelvic congestion syndrome cause weight gain? Let’s discuss more below.
Causes of Weight Gain After Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
So does pelvic congestion syndrome cause weight gain? Well, not directly but yes.
Here are some of the key ways having pelvic varicose veins leads to extra pounds:
Limited Exercise
Chronic pelvic pain and fatigue from PCS often severely limit your ability to exercise. And we all know that cutting back on physical activity inevitably leads to some weight gain in most individuals.
For me, even gentle yoga would flare my symptoms. It was incredibly frustrating barely being able to walk around the block without aggravating my pelvic pain. Naturally, I gained weight rapidly by just being sedentary.
Bloating Side Effects
Many women with PCS struggle with abdominal bloating and constipation. This discomfort makes you appear heavier and feel discouraged stepping on the scale.
Personally, some days my stomach looked 4 months pregnant from bloating alone! It’s easy to get confused and think you’re gaining fat.
Comfort Eating
Dealing with chronic discomfort and pain is exhausting. It’s natural to reach for sugary and salty snacks, fast food, alcohol, and other Diet saboteurs to boost your mood.
I turned to chocolate and bubbly wine many nights to try to lift my spirits. And I’m sure as a fellow PCS sufferer – you can relate!
Vicious Cycle of Weight Gain
Gaining weight unfortunately often worsens PCS symptoms of pain and fatigue. This vicious cycle continues spiraling as you become more sedentary and pack on additional pounds.
Before I knew it, I had gained nearly 40 lbs in just a few years. I almost didn’t recognize myself looking overweight AND still dealing with chronic pelvic pain.
Talk about feeling completely discouraged and hopeless! But things can get better. Let’s talk about tips to prevent and reverse weight gain with PCS.
Tips to Prevent Weight Gain with Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
The good news is many women find losing weight helps relieve PCS symptoms significantly. By getting back into shape through diet and some gentle exercise, you halt that nasty cycle of weight gain and worsening pain.
So, the question comes down to this – how can you prevent regaining weight after pelvic congestion syndrome? Here are my top 5 tips to lose weight and prevent packing on pounds if you suffer from painful pelvic varicose veins:
- Get Treated First: See your doctor and come up with a treatment plan to help improve your PCS symptoms first and foremost. This may include medication, medical procedures, pelvic therapy, or dietary changes targeted specifically at abdominal and pelvic vein problems. Do your research and don’t be afraid to advocate for options that work for your body!
- Walk Daily: A short 10-15 minute walk daily can work wonders in getting your body back into shape. I force myself to walk after dinner and often feel better with less bloating afterward. Look into getting a fitness tracker to motivate hitting your goals.
- Follow an Anti-Inflammatory Diet: Cutting out inflammatory foods can help with chronic pain AND promote weight loss. Limit sugar, alcohol, processed carbs, dairy, and red meat. Load your plate with fruits, veggies, and omega-3s from fish. Drink plenty of hydrating fluids like water with lemon and herbal tea.
- Daily Self-Care: Make time for destressing self-care like gentle yoga, meditation, warm Epsom salt baths, resting with an eye mask, and sleeping well every night. Push back against the urge to comfort eat when you’re stressed. Stock your kitchen with healthy snacks, enjoy herbal tea, and call a friend when emotional eating cravings creep in.
- Set Realistic Goals: Avoid restrictive diets and intense CrossFit workouts that can worsen PCS pain when you’re just starting. Take it slow and be kind to yourself! Follow the 80/20 rule with your eating and set very achievable movement goals. Celebrate small milestones and know that every healthy choice matters. Over time you create positive momentum to get in shape.
Just remember we all have setbacks in our health journey. If you indulge in comfort food or can’t exercise for one week due to a pain flare-up, get right back on track the next day without self-judgment. Consistency over time is key – not perfection.
Conclusion
So, does pelvic congestion syndrome cause weight gain? The simple answer is no, but dealing with a painful condition like PCS can be a catalyst for weight gain majorly due to limited movement and comfort eating. Arm yourself with the right information about WHY weight gain happens with this syndrome, along with realistic tips to counteract it through lifestyle changes.
Getting back into a regular fitness routine, following an anti-inflammatory diet, prioritizing destressing self-care, setting kind goals, and exploring medical PCS treatment options can all help. Remember to celebrate small victories of getting back in shape, be patient with yourself, and don’t hesitate to ask for support from your peers. You don’t have to tackle weight loss with PCS alone.
I hope the information and personal experiences shared here encourage you to get your slim self back. Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions on preventing weight gain with pelvic congestion syndrome – I’m happy to chat more and listen.
Now tell me friend…what small step will you take today to improve your health? Here’s to feel better one baby step at a time.
References
- National Institute Of Health(2018) Correlation between pelvic congestion syndrome and body mass index Available online at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28943005/
- National Institute Of Health(2008) Pelvic Congestion Syndrome: Diagnosis and Treatment Available online at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3036528/
