Varicose Vein Treatments for Women
It's true that both women and men can get varicose veins. However, it's also true that far more women get them than men. In fact, so many more women throughout the country suffer from varicose veins, and the reason is largely hormones. Such things as hormonal changes and imbalances, pregnancy, and hormone replacement therapy are the main reasons for the fact that women tend to develop varicose veins more than their male counterparts. And, although the treatment options are pretty much the same for both men and women, treatments are often also geared toward women, especially since events such as pregnancy can make varicose veins more difficult to treat. Of course, varicose vein treatment in Summit and throughout the country has become among the most common medical procedures performed. If you're a woman who is currently suffering from any pain, additional medical conditions, or even just the unattractive appearance of varicose veins, here's some information for you that will help you decide which treatment option is right for you.
Why women get varicose veins more often
Hormones are perhaps the number one reason women tend to develop varicose veins more often than men. Any woman who's ever been pregnant knows that hormonal imbalances during pregnancy are rampant, and the hormonal imbalances that can occur during pregnancy can lead to issues with circulation that can then lead to varicose veins. Additionally, hormonal changes and imbalances that can occur with the use of hormone replacement therapy (typically during menopause) or with the use of birth control can also lead to varicose veins in women.
Symptoms of Varicose Veins
Many women who have varicose veins won't suffer from symptoms other than the ugly appearance of their web-like veins. However, there are other symptoms that women can face, especially if they're overweight, have sedentary lifestyles, or have jobs that keep them standing or sitting most of the day. Other symptoms of varicose veins include pain, skin discoloration, itching, burning, swelling, difficulty walking, heaviness in legs, and tingling. If you're a woman who has varicose veins, you need to know that serious complications can develop from your enlarged veins. Because poor blood circulation is involved, a serious medical condition called deep venous thrombosis (DVT) can occur. This is a life-threatening blood clot, and it's one of the most important reasons why symptoms of pain, difficulty walking, heaviness in legs, and others should be mentioned to your doctor.
Treatments of Varicose Veins
There are a number of varicose vein treatments women can choose to undergo in order to eliminate the appearance and accompanying symptoms of varicose veins. Some of the most favored include compression stockings, laser treatment, Sclerotherapy, vein stripping, and Endoscopic vein surgery.
Compression stockings: Compression stockings (also called support hose) are often the first go-to for doctors when searching for effective means of treating varicose veins and accompanying circulation problems in women. Compression stockings work to squeeze veins and redirect blood to the heart, thereby improving circulation.
Laser treatment: Laser treatment closes smaller veins that have become swollen due to circulation problems. Laser treatment sends bursts of light into varicose veins, causing them to fade and disappear.
Sclerotherapy: During your Sclerotherapy treatment, your doctor will inject a saline or chemical solution into your varicose veins that will close them off. This will cause those enlarged to shrink and eventually fade. Sclerotherapy can be done on an outpatient basis.
Vein stripping: Vein stripping treatment involves removing affected varicose veins via small incisions. For most patients, vein stripping can be done on an outpatient basis.
Endoscopic vein surgery: This is a surgical procedure used in more advanced varicose veins that may involve ulcers. In Endoscopic vein surgery, a surgeon will insert a thin video camera into the leg in order to see varicose veins and close them off. The veins are then removed through small incisions. This procedure can also be performed on an outpatient basis.
If you're a woman who suffers from varicose veins, the bad news is that your varicose veins may not improve and may even get worse, especially if you do nothing about them. The good news, however, is that there are numerous treatment options available to you. And, even if you're pregnant, you also have options, even if you've decided to wait out your pregnancy and opt for treatments after you deliver. Whatever your reasons for seeking treatment of your varicose veins, you should contact a vein treatment center in Summit to schedule a consultation to have all your questions about your treatment options answered.
Why women get varicose veins more often
Hormones are perhaps the number one reason women tend to develop varicose veins more often than men. Any woman who's ever been pregnant knows that hormonal imbalances during pregnancy are rampant, and the hormonal imbalances that can occur during pregnancy can lead to issues with circulation that can then lead to varicose veins. Additionally, hormonal changes and imbalances that can occur with the use of hormone replacement therapy (typically during menopause) or with the use of birth control can also lead to varicose veins in women.
Symptoms of Varicose Veins
Many women who have varicose veins won't suffer from symptoms other than the ugly appearance of their web-like veins. However, there are other symptoms that women can face, especially if they're overweight, have sedentary lifestyles, or have jobs that keep them standing or sitting most of the day. Other symptoms of varicose veins include pain, skin discoloration, itching, burning, swelling, difficulty walking, heaviness in legs, and tingling. If you're a woman who has varicose veins, you need to know that serious complications can develop from your enlarged veins. Because poor blood circulation is involved, a serious medical condition called deep venous thrombosis (DVT) can occur. This is a life-threatening blood clot, and it's one of the most important reasons why symptoms of pain, difficulty walking, heaviness in legs, and others should be mentioned to your doctor.
Treatments of Varicose Veins
There are a number of varicose vein treatments women can choose to undergo in order to eliminate the appearance and accompanying symptoms of varicose veins. Some of the most favored include compression stockings, laser treatment, Sclerotherapy, vein stripping, and Endoscopic vein surgery.
Compression stockings: Compression stockings (also called support hose) are often the first go-to for doctors when searching for effective means of treating varicose veins and accompanying circulation problems in women. Compression stockings work to squeeze veins and redirect blood to the heart, thereby improving circulation.
Laser treatment: Laser treatment closes smaller veins that have become swollen due to circulation problems. Laser treatment sends bursts of light into varicose veins, causing them to fade and disappear.
Sclerotherapy: During your Sclerotherapy treatment, your doctor will inject a saline or chemical solution into your varicose veins that will close them off. This will cause those enlarged to shrink and eventually fade. Sclerotherapy can be done on an outpatient basis.
Vein stripping: Vein stripping treatment involves removing affected varicose veins via small incisions. For most patients, vein stripping can be done on an outpatient basis.
Endoscopic vein surgery: This is a surgical procedure used in more advanced varicose veins that may involve ulcers. In Endoscopic vein surgery, a surgeon will insert a thin video camera into the leg in order to see varicose veins and close them off. The veins are then removed through small incisions. This procedure can also be performed on an outpatient basis.
If you're a woman who suffers from varicose veins, the bad news is that your varicose veins may not improve and may even get worse, especially if you do nothing about them. The good news, however, is that there are numerous treatment options available to you. And, even if you're pregnant, you also have options, even if you've decided to wait out your pregnancy and opt for treatments after you deliver. Whatever your reasons for seeking treatment of your varicose veins, you should contact a vein treatment center in Summit to schedule a consultation to have all your questions about your treatment options answered.