Women and Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are a common medical condition that occurs when the valves in veins become damaged or weakened. The increase in blood pressure causes blood to collect, making the veins visibly swollen, twisted, and lumpy in texture. These veins are often purple or blue and their unsightly appearance can be bothersome for those who experience them.

While varicose veins are generally not a serious health threat, they can cause discomfort, aching, and swelling of the affected area. In more serious cases, complications such as blood clots may occur. There are many risk factors for developing varicose veins including age, weight, smoking, inactivity, and being female. Women are four times more likely than men to develop varicose veins. Because women are more susceptible than men when it comes to developing varicose veins, it’s important to get a more in-depth understanding of how they develop and what the key causes are.

How Varicose Veins Develop in Women

Varicose veins can develop in women due to a combination of genetic, hormonal, and lifestyle factors. While men are still capable of developing varicose veins, women have several risk factors that make them more prone to this condition. Here are some risk factors for varicose veins developing in women:

• Pregnancy: The pressure on pelvic veins from the uterus growing can slow down the blood flow from the legs. Additional weight and standing for long periods also cause damage.
• Hormones: In addition to excess hormones from pregnancy and birth control, natural hormones such as estrogen and progesterone also play a part in the development of varicose veins. These hormones affect the elasticity and strength of vein walls which impair the proper function of the one-way valves within veins.
• Birth control: Contraceptives contain synthetic hormones, primarily estrogen and progestin. Your body’s hormones directly affect how your cardiovascular system functions. Excess hormones can weaken vein walls and blood vessels, making them more susceptible to dilation and damage.
• Menopause: Women’s hormones are continuously fluctuating, even as they age. As estrogen levels decline, it can lead to changes in the vein structure and function.

While not all women on birth control will develop varicose veins, it’s essential to discuss any concerns or family history of venous issues with a varicose veins specialist like Dr. Manish Taneja to explore appropriate contraceptive options and monitor for any signs of vein-related complications.

Other Varicose Veins Risk Factors to Watch Out For

While hormones play a significant role, it’s important to note that other risk factors influence the development of varicose veins. There is no cure for varicose veins, however, there are preventative measure that can be taken to prevent them from showing. (Learn more about best practices to follow on our other blog post “How to Prevent Varicose Veins”.)  Additionally, there are treatments that your vascular specialist in Singapore can perform to reduce their appearance. In addition to preventative measures and treatments, consider the following lifestyle risk factors to watch out for:

• Smoking: Tobacco use can lead to constriction of blood vessels and a decrease in blood flow. This constriction can make it harder for blood to circulate effectively. The various chemicals, especially nicotine, inflame and tighten blood vessels, which not only cause varicose veins but also prevent your organs from receiving oxygen.
• Alcohol: The chemicals in alcohol have a vasodilatory effect, meaning it causes blood vessels to expand and relax. This increases the pressure, making blood flow more challenging. It can also slow down blood flow, which puts extra strain on the veins as they try to move the blood to the heart.

Varicose Vein Treatments

There are several options to relieve symptoms and improve the appearance of varicose veins. Aside from the aforementioned lifestyle choices, patients can implement exercise into their daily routine and avoid prolonged sitting or standing. Compression stockings are something you can wear and are specifically designed to provide pressure to your legs to improve blood flow and swelling. Lastly, there are minimally invasive procedures that can be done, such as endovenous laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation, phlebectomy, and endoscopic vein surgery.

Restore Your Vascular Health with Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic

Dr. Manish Taneja understands the desire to want to keep varicose veins and their visibility at bay. Being a certified neuro-interventional and peripheral vascular interventionists in Singapore, Dr. Manish Taneja can treat your varicose veins using a variety of advanced medical procedures. To hear more about how to improve your vascular health, contact Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic today.

The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is a private specialized varicose veins clinic based in Singapore. We emphasize accurate diagnosis, quality care and personalized treatment for all our patients. For more information, we invite you to fill in and submit your contact information and inquiry details on our contact us page.

Other Health Conditions

Venous Diseases (Varicose Veins)

The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is your “go-to” facility for various conditions and treatments. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Manish Taneja, our varicose veins specialist, contact us. You can also call us at (+65) 6904 8084 for a consultation.