Women and Varicose veins :
Men and women are affected by vein disorders, but it is reported that women are several times more likely than men to be affected. Hormones may be the main reason why women get more affected. Female hormones, estrogen and progesterone are essential for physical development, and they also impact menstrual cycles, menopause, and pregnancy. In women, as they get older, hormonal changes can cause hot flashes, weakened bones, mood swings and more.
Varicose veins are another major problem faced by women, due to hormonal changes. Learning how these changes affect your veins can help you seek proper treatment and thus reduce further risk. Human veins, unlike arteries, lack a strong muscular layer for the movement of blood. The leg muscles help push the blood against gravity back to the heart. There are valves in the veins that are unidirectional, preventing the backward flow of blood. Sometimes the hormonal changes in women can weaken the walls of the veins and the valves may become faulty. If this happens, blood starts pooling in the legs, within the veins. Thus, the walls of the veins get weaker, get stretched and the veins start bulging.
When a woman is pregnant, her body carries double the volume of blood to supply oxygen and nutrients for the proper development of the baby. This extra blood cause added stress to the blood vessels and the veins start to swell. The increased stress on the veins due to the extra weight that you might have gained may weaken and damage the valves, which can further manifest into varicose veins.
The varicose veins that develop during pregnancy generally disappear with in few months after delivery. But if there are successive pregnancies, with the damage and weakening of the valves, the veins may find it difficult to return to the normal condition. These would turn to varicose veins.
The risk of getting varicose veins may be higher if you
Are obese or overweight
Are pregnant
Stand for hours together
Are under hormone therapy or birth control pills
Have existing blood clots that damage veins
Are in the older age group and have weak calf muscles and vein
valves.
Have a family history of varicose veins
Women need to know that having varicose veins is much more than a cosmetic issue. They need to know that proper steps need to be taken to effectively control the associated problems with vein disorders.
Discomfort or pain in your legs, throbbing feel, swollen ankles or legs, skin discoloration or thickening are few symptoms to watch out for. If you feel you are susceptible to vein problems talk to your doctor without delay. Depending on your condition surgery may be recommended for the removal of varicose veins or he/she may suggest the minimally invasive treatment options like sclerotherapy, endovenous laser ablation, radiofrequency treatment etc.
It maybe true that women get it more than men, but definitely it is not a condition that they need to live with. Do call our vascular expert at Avis Vascular center to know the treatment options available for you.
Varicose Veins Treatment in Hyderabad | Bengaluru | Visakhapatnam | Chennai | Vijayawada
For Appointments Call : 9989527715
