E232:Dr. Steve Smith’s research update on treating pelvic venous disorders (and how it helps POTS and related syndromes)

Dr. Steve Smith's most updated research suggests that stenting or embolizing dysfunctional pelvic veins may improve a wide array of POTS symptoms and related syndromes in patients with pelvic venous disorders/congestion.

Dr. Smith is now retired and publishing research, but in his long career as an interventional radiologist he noticed that many of his Pelvic Congestion Syndrome patients had POTS and related syndromes...which often got much better after treating the bad veins. Could poor blood flow be at the heart of some of these syndromes and symptoms? Dr. Smith makes the case. He reviews several studies that now show POTS and many other symptoms (and syndromes) improve after treating the veins with stents or embolization. His studies now show improvement in patients across 5 different centers, at 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-ups, and across numerous symptoms. Dr. Smith discusses his hypotheses about how venous disorders may underlie some cases of POTS, fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, migraine, brain fog, IBS, vulvodynia, ADHD and more.

Below are links to his published studies:

Imaging findings of pelvic venous insufficiency in patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome

An online survey of pelvic congestion support group members regarding comorbid symptoms and syndromes

Improvement in chronic pelvic pain, orthostatic intolerance and interstitial cystitis symptoms after treatment of pelvic vein insufficiency

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