May-Thurner syndrome (MTS), also known as the iliac vein compression syndrome, is caused when the left iliac vein is compressed up against the spine by the right iliac artery, which increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left extremity. DVT is a blood clot that may partially or completely block blood flow through the vein.
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What are the symptoms of MTS?
You likely won’t even know you have May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) unless you get a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). You might get pain or swelling in your leg, but usually, there aren’t any warning signs.
With a DVT, your left leg may show symptoms such as:
- changes in skin color, with it looking more red or purple than normal
- swelling, pain or tenderness
- feeling of increased warmth in the leg
- enlargement of the veins in the leg
Primary risk factors of MTS:
You’re more likely to get May-Thurner syndrome if you:
- are female
- have scoliosis
- just had a baby
- have had more than one child
- take oral birth control
- are dehydrated
- have a condition that causes your blood to clot too much
