Sounds exactly like the problems I was having about 2 years ago. Turns out these are all problems that can be caused by a condition that I got diagnosed with called May-Thurner Syndrome (Left Iliac Vein Compression Syndrome). It occurs around the belly button and lower left Abdominal area. Apparently very few doctors seem to understand the problems this condition can cause. Do you have any fatigue, anxiety, or depression? May-Thurner can cause these as well. I didn't have any blood clots with this condition so no doctors thought of it. I ended up having an Interventional Radiologist diagnose this and placed a stent in my left iliac vein. All of the problems started disappearing afterwards. Hope this helps as I know most doctors don't even know what May-Thurner Syndrome is let alone the many problems it can cause.
I will look into this! I have felt very fatigued, dragging my feet at work, even my sex drive has dropped. Your symptoms sound very similar. Thank you for your feedback
Wikipedia shows swelling and bloodclots. I didn't see anything about my underlining conditions. What exactly did you feel? Did you feel pressure in your bladder? I noticed in the early stages I use to feel an overwhelming pressure on my bladder when I peed. I use to hold my pee to a very bad extent especially at work. (No bathroom around)
That's exactly my point! The only thing doctors know about May-Thurner Syndrome is that some people develop blood clots and DVTs. But there's a lot more to MTS than blood clots and DVTs. I didn't have blood clots either but still had severe compression of the Left Iliac Vein. That's why no doctor thought of this condition for me because I didn't have any swelling of my legs and I looked like a healthy male. Here's what a vein clinic website says about problems that MTS can cause:
Fatigue
Anxiety
Depression
Exercise Intolerance
Then at 70% or more compression of the Left Iliac Vein can cause Leg Pain or Swelling, Pelvic Pain, Pain w/Intercourse (Dyspareunia), Pelvic Pain after Intercourse (Post-Coital Pain), Lower Back Pain, or Urinary Problems.
That's exactly what I had. About 70% compression of this vein and all of the problems listed above. My problems all started with the same exact problems you're having. Have you been checked for Vericocele Veins? This could be a very good indication that you have MTS. I had a Vericocele Embolization that actually made my problems worse. That's when my Interventional Radiologist discovered I had May-Thurner. It turns out that having an Embolization is a terrible idea if you have MTS because it redirects blood flow right to the compression site and will likely make your problems worse.
Your Uroligist should be able to refer you to an Interventional Radiologist. A Pelvic Venogram is the gold standard for diagnosing May-Thurner Syndrome. If you do have significant compression of the Left Iliac Vein then they can choose to place a stent if needed. Unfortunately you have to do your own research about this condition as there isn't a whole lot of info out there about it. I have talked to other people that got diagnosed with MTS and many of them have the same exact problems that you're having and that I had. All I can tell you is that if you do get diagnosed with this, a simple stenting procedure could give you great relief from your problems.