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ing if I’m not experiencing pain, I should just get
it imaged every year. Is that sound advice? Can
the veins twist and cause blockage? Can they
cause a blood clot? I can’t really get any info on
it. -- J.F.
ANSWER: Although advanced imaging like CT
and MRI scans have led physicians to be able to
make more precise diagnoses than before, there
is an issue of what to do with “incidental” find-
ings. Many people have written to me about
small tumors (which are far more common than
we thought), but enlarged pelvic veins are an-
other example of an incidental finding.
Some women do have a condition called “pelvic
congestion syndrome,” which is a cause of pel-
vic pain that is worsened by prolonged stand-
ing or sexual activity. This condition is found in
women in the reproductive age group, especially
those who have had multiple children, but is not
found in menopausal women. Since you aren’t
in the age group and don’t have symptoms, you
clearly don’t have pelvic congestion syndrome.
Dilated veins in the legs are simply called vari-
cose veins, and they are often due to loss in
function of the valves in our legs as we age. Pel-
vic vein enlargement is the same thing: Veins get
bigger as we age.
There are cases of blood clots in the pelvic veins,
but it is not clear whether a person like you is at
increased risk. I don’t see the need to repeat the
imaging studies.
***
DEAR DR. ROACH: Why do multivitamins
invariably provide some ingredients with more
than 100% -- and some with less than 100% -- of
the daily requirement? Why aren’t all ingredi-
ents 100%? -- D.H.
ANSWER: 100% of the recommended dietary
allowance (RDA) is intended to provide the nu-
trient requirements for about 98% of the popu-
lation. Most people will get what they need from
food. Many North Americans feel that more 1. Is the book of Colossians in the Old or New
vitamins are better or decide to take a vitamin Testament or neither?
pill as an insurance policy against an inadequate
diet. Both of these have been reasonable hy- 2. From Acts 20:3, how many months did Paul
potheses, but many studies have been done and stay in Greece? 3, 5, 7, 9
have not shown any convincing benefit of taking 3. What is the shortest book in the New Testa-
vitamins in absence of a clear medical reason for
deficiency. ment (KJV)? Luke, Titus, 3 John, Jude
Vitamin manufacturers put in large amounts 4. Who was the only woman to rule over Ju-
mostly for marketing: People are more likely to
buy the pill that has 1,000% of B12, for example, dah? Deborah, Dorcas, Eunice, Athaliah
since it must be better than the one with 500%. 5. Which of these appeared earliest in the Bible
In fact, your body will simply excrete more B12
if you take more, so the supplement with 1,000% (KJV)? Jacob, Abraham, Samuel, Moses
of a water-soluble vitamin like B12 is not any 6. What does the biblical name of “Nabal”
better for you. mean? First, Fool, Power, Face
Case of Enlarged Pelvic Veins Is Not a Cause However, a few nutrients in multivitamins are Answer below. (c) 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.
dangerous at high levels: Vitamin A has a high
for Concern risk of causing birth defects at high doses, and
DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 71-year-old female beta carotene promotes lung cancer growth in
with no children, but I did have an ectopic preg- smokers, as two examples. Responsible vitamin triviaguy
nancy at age 43. Other than that, I have had no manufacturers don’t put in doses of vitamins www.patreon.com/
“female” issues. I was getting a CT scan for my that will be toxic if taken as directed. subscriber site at
spleen area, when it was discovered that I had Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer Visit Wilson Casey’s Hardcore trivia fan?
enlarged pelvic veins in my groin. I don’t have individual questions, but will incorporate them
pelvic pain, nor do I have pain with sex. So, the in the column whenever possible. Readers may 6) Fool
only symptoms I do have, which may or may not email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med. 5) Abraham,
be related, are bloating and some constipation. cornell.edu. 4) Athaliah,
I have seen a vascular surgeon and a urogyno- (c) 2022 North America Synd., Inc. 2) 3, 3) 3 John,
cologist to ask about this condition and if I need All Rights Reserved 1) New,
“treatment” for it. Both were rather vague, say- ANSWERS:
