Varicose Veins In Women

There are plenty of reasons that varicose veins may develop, which are family history, obesity, stationary positions, age, and gender. Women and men both are afflicted by varicose veins, but women tend to develop varicose veins more commonly.

What are some other differences between varicose veins in men and women? 

As varicose veins are large, twisted veins, many people keep them covered due to their appearance. Although varicose veins can be more than a cosmetic problem, they usually begin as being cosmetic. Women tend to have more concern for their appearance and also may wear clothing that reveals their legs more frequently than men. For this reason, women tend to seek medical consultation and treatment for their varicose veins at an earlier stage. Women may address their varicose veins with specific procedures and therefore usually have milder disease with less complications than men, who present for medical attention later and typically already have complications from their varicose veins.

Why are women more at risk to develop varicose veins?

There are many differences between men and women, but the physiologic difference between men and women is the sex hormones that regulate the body.  In women, there is a natural monthly cycle preparing the body for pregnancy. This cycle is regulated by the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, which increase and decrease throughout the normal cycle, but also vastly change during pregnancy. Estrogen and Progesterone directly affect the veins and may lead to thinning the vein walls and loss of function of the valves. In addition to having changes in the hormones during pregnancy, the amount of blood in a woman’s body increases, which places greater demands on the veins leading to pooling of the blood and development of varicose veins.

How can they be treated?

There are multiple treatments for varicose veins, which are available for both men and women. Pregnant women are unable to have any procedural treatments during their current pregnancy, but still may use other therapies and can consider procedures once the baby is delivered.

Talk to a Vein Specialist

Speak with our team of board certified interventional cardiologists and endovascular specialists in Naples, Florida. They will discuss your medical history, perform a thorough exam, and explain if you are experiencing varicose veins what specific treatments options are right for you and your varicose veins.

To request a Varicose Vein consultation click below or call (239) 300–0586