Why Women are More Prone to Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are reported in up to 30% of the general population, with significantly increased rates in the older population. While it may seem unfair, the incidence of varicose veins is much more common in women than men. In fact,they are twice as common.

Why, you might wonder, are women more prone to these twisted, bulging, gnarled veins often seen in the legs? Let’s unveil the underlying reasons and what you can do about it.

An overview of varicose veins

Varicose veins are those twisted, bulging veins often seen on the legs. They occur when veins become enlarged and overfilled with blood. This happens because the valves within the veins have become damaged or weakened. The malfunctioning valves cause blood to pool in the veins, causing them to expand and varicose.

Usually, varicose veins are found in the legs because the veins in the lower body work harder against gravity to return blood to the heart.

Varicose veins are not a cosmetic concern. They can cause discomfort and pain and lead to serious health complications. Therefore, you must not leave it untreated and seek counsel from professional vein specialists when you experience continuous inflammation and excruciating pain in your legs.

Factors that make women more susceptible to varicose veins

While anyone can develop varicose veins, these factors make women more vulnerable to this condition:

● Hormonal fluctuations

Hormonal changes are one of the most significant reasons women are more susceptible to varicose veins.

Hormones play an essential role in modulating various bodily functions, including vein health and blood flow. Female-specific hormones, especially progesterone and estrogen, have a relaxing effect on the veins. This can weaken the valves and vein walls, making it challenging for veins to push blood back up to the heart.

Women’s hormones fluctuate significantly during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.

These fluctuations, especially in estrogen levels, cause veins to become elastic and less able to handle the increased pressure.

Another female hormone, progesterone, causes veins to dilate. This makes the valves inside them less effective at preventing blood from pooling.

The use of birth control pills, HRT (hormone replacement therapy), or other hormonal medications also exacerbates the risk of developing this condition. Many birth control pills contain estrogen, and this added estrogen weakens the vein walls over time. Similarly, HRT, which is often prescribed during menopause, affects vein elasticity and increases the likelihood of this condition.

● Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a well-known risk factor for this condition and one of the primary reasons why women are more susceptible to this condition than men.

During pregnancy, there is more blood flowing through a woman’s body because she is nurturing a life. This adds more pressure to the veins. Additionally, the expanding uterus presses on the veins in the pelvic region, which obstructs the flow of blood back to the heart.

In some cases, the bulging veins disappear a few months after childbirth. But, for many women, the veins serve as a long reminder.

Multiple pregnancies compound this risk because each pregnancy places more stress on the veins.

● Genetics

Genetics plays a critical role in determining whether someone will develop varicose veins. Studies show that if a close relative, especially a grandmother or mother, has varicose veins, it is highly likely that you will develop them as well.

While both women and men can inherit the tendency to develop faulty valves or weak veins, women’s hormonal cycles and the added pressure of pregnancy trigger the onset of this condition more readily than in men.

● Lifestyle and occupational factors

The development of varicose veins in women is also influenced by lifestyle and occupation. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, you are compounding the risk of developing varicose veins. Lack of physical activity weakens the muscles that push blood back to the heart. Another contributing factor is obesity because the excess weight puts pressure on the veins.

If you work in jobs that require long periods of sitting or standing, such as teaching, nursing, office, or retail work, there's a high likelihood you will develop this condition.

Sitting or standing for a long time increases pressure in the leg veins, making it harder for blood to circulate properly. This increases the risk.

High-heeled shoes also contribute to this problem. While wearing high heels does not directly cause varicose veins, they alter the way blood flows in the legs by shortening the calf muscles. This reduces the efficiency of the veins in pumping blood back to the heart.

● Age

While aging is a natural risk factor for varicose veins in men and women, the aging process in women makes them even more vulnerable.

As women age, vein valves and walls tend to lose their elasticity, increasing the likelihood of this condition. Also, varicose veins are more pronounced in women than in men in later years because of the cumulative effects of multiple pregnancies, menopause, prolonged standing or sitting, hormonal changes, etc.

Prevention strategies for women

It is not entirely possible to prevent varicose veins, but certain lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk.

The preventive measures you can implement are:

● Maintain a healthy weight
● Stay active, even during pregnancy
● Avoid long periods of sitting or standing
● Refrain from all tobacco use
● Elevate your legs whenever possible
● Wear compression stockings
Varicose veins treatment for women
Treatment is the same regardless of gender.

The good news is that women are more prone to seek treatment for this condition when they first develop, while men wait until the condition causes discomfort and pain. This is why treating varicose veins in women is simpler.

Treatment options include lifestyle modifications, minimally invasive procedures like sclerotherapy, EVLT, and RFA, and surgery.

Conclusion

Varicose veins are a common condition that affects women more than men, largely due to hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy, and genetic predispositions. While these factors make women more susceptible, lifestyle choices and aging also play a significant role.

You can reduce the risks associated with varicose veins and manage the condition by understanding the causes and taking preventative measures.

Nanny to Mommy