What is sclerotherapy for spider veins?

Sclerotherapy is a very old treatment for spider veins. The procedure involves injection of an irritant chemical into the spider veins. The chemical destroys the vein over time. However, multiple injections (15-20 per session) are required and it is moderately painful. Unlike the laser, sclerotherapy takes a little longer to be effective. After the procedure, compression stocking have to be worn for 7 days. The results of sclerotherapy suck. Most women who have undergone one session, never go back again for another treatment.

What treatment do you recommend for spider veins on the legs?

Personal choice is a trial of compression stockings. For those women who have not made up their mind about other treatments, compression stockings may be the cheapest and most effective way of preventing more spider veins. These stockings unfortunately cannot remove the spider veins which are already present. A negative aspect for compression stockings in the South is the hot weather. The stockings are tight and can be uncomfortable to wear during hot weather.

How can I prevent spider veins on my legs?

For those who are not sure about laser or sclerotherapy, preventive measures may help future occurrence of spider veins. The preventive steps include:

- avoid prolonged sitting or standing

- wear compression stockings on a regular basis

- keep active and exercise regularly

Are there any vitamin based creams that can remove my spider veins?

There are many creams which are marketed with newly discovered vitamins (vitamins which no one else knows about -like vitamin P and Z). Claims are made that these new vitamin-based creams can make spider veins disappear. There is not a single spider vein cream on the market which has been shown to erase spider veins. The business of skincare & cosmetics has many individuals who prey on desperate people, giving false hopes and illusions of grandeur.

These expensive creams are at best moisturizing agents and with some fancy scent. Every single ad on cyberspace offers these products with gimmicks like buy one and get one for free. If these products did what they are claimed to do, why give away one for free? Why push people to buy 3 jars or buy a minimum of $100?

Best advice: Save your money and stop wasting money on products which only make you smell good and do nothing for your spider veins. If you are that concerned about your spider veins, go and see a reputable dermatologist or a cosmetic physician. In the end you will not only save money, but have the result you so desire.

Can vitamin K creams remove spider veins? I want something cheap

Many skincare manufacturers are making claims that vitamin K creams have the ability to penetrate skin and make spider veins disappear- continue dreaming because this is the most absurd thing ever. There is absolutely no vitamin, nutrient or herb which can be applied on skin and make any vein disappear. Vitamin K can only be absorbed from the gut or given as an injection. In medicine, vitamin K is never used to treat spider veins- because it just does not work. Millions of patients have been treated with vitamin K and they all continue to have spider veins. So save your hard earned money for something more important like food and rent. If you have the money and can’t live with your spider veins, go get laser- you will get short term relief.

Are there any creams that can help remove my spider veins?

All over the internet, there are new ads marketing spider vein vanishing creams and ointments. Claims of immediate results, painless therapy and excellent cosmesis are highly touted virtues of these so called spider-vein-creams. In reality most of them are only camouflage creams and the rest are moisturizers (most just contain Vaseline with some additive). In reality, there is no cream or ointment that can remove spider veins. If you got money, go for laser, and if you do not have money, learn to live with your spider veins- they are harmless

What is the best treatment for spider veins?

Spider veins are small bluish veins which resemble “stars” with radiating lines. They may appear anywhere on the body, but are common on the face and legs. On the face these veins have been linked to excess sun exposure and on the legs they have been associated with increased venous pressure. Over the past 4 decades, many treatments have come and gone for the treatment of these cosmetically unacceptable veins. Today, we have laser and sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is only used for the legs veins. Even though neither of these treatments is curative, they do erase spider veins for some time.

Do varicoceles cause complications?

For those who have had long standing varicoceles some complications have been associated with it. However, not all individuals with varicoceles develop these complications. The complications include:

- Small testes. In many men who have varicoceles, it is found that the testis on that side is slightly smaller compared to other side. Why the testicle shrinks is not known but most probably related to the pressure in the veins.

- Infertility. Varicoceles have been associated with infertility. However this is not a universal finding. About 40% of men who have varicoceles are infertile. However, reversal or treatment of the varicocele does not always result in return of infertility. It is thought that the high temperature from the increased blood affects sperm production and motility.

Final point- Keep in mind that surgeons in North America tend to hype up the seriousness of varicoceles so that they can operate more and make money. Thousands of men all over the globe have varicoceles, never see a surgeon and live a normal healthy life.

I have been told that I may have a varicocele. How is the actual diagnosis made?

Some men may not know they have a varicocele. In most cases the diagnosis is made by the doctor. The scrotum is gently palpated and if no varicocele is apparent, you may be asked to bear down (like pooping). This force will cause engorgement of the veins and the varicocele will become prominent. The “bag of worms” will be more prominent during this maneuver. Varicoceles are always more prominent when standing up than when lying down.

To confirm the presence of a varicocele, an ultrasound may be ordered. This non invasive painless test can reveal the presence of the varicocele, its size, and even the flow reversal. In addition, size of the testis can be determined.

How can varicoceles cause infertility?

It is believed that when the veins in the testes get engorged with blood and the temperature of the scrotum increases. When the temperature of the scrotum increases, the sperms are damaged and hence sterility results. In males who have varicoceles and sterility, both a decrease in number and structural defects of  sperm have been seen. However, sterility does not occur in all men who have varicoceles. Millions of men with varicoceles have gone on to have successful families.

How does one develop a varicocele?

The reasons why varicoceles occur are numerous but the most common reason is that the valves in the veins are defective. These valves usually close and prevent backflow of blood into the scrotal veins. When the valves are defective the veins get engorged with blood. In the elderly male, the reason why varicoceles occur is that they may be a blockage of the veins draining the scrotum. The blockage is usually due to a cancer or a mass.

In some males, there may be a history of trauma to the groin or scrotum and this may have disrupted the vein or the valves. The reason why varicoceles are most common on the left side is due to the anatomical differences in drainage of the veins from the scrotum.

How do I know if I have a varicocele?

Many men who have a varicocele do not always have symptoms. In most cases, the varicocele is identified as a coincidental finding or during the work up of sterility. Varicoceles are small and most are about 1 x 1 cm but  some may be larger. Once a varicocle occurs it generally tends to grow in size. For the male who likes to keep on fondling his “Kahounas”, the varicocele may feel like a “bag of worms”. Some may complain of heaviness in the groin which is usually worse at the end of the day. Others may complain of a drag-like sensation in the groin. However, the pain is generally mild in nature. In most cases, the varicoceles do tend to grow over time.

Is a varicocele linked to infertility?

Varicoceles have been linked to male infertility but the topic is by no means clear and the data are conflicting. Some men who do have varicoceles are sterile but many more men do have varicoceles and have no evidence of sterility. In most cases, the varicocele may exist without the individual knowing about it. Varicoceles are most common in males aged 15-35. In the majority of cases, a varicocele develops on the left side and very rarely, they are bilateral. In reality there is no association between a varicocele and infertility

My doctor says i have a varicocele. What is a varicocele?

Varicocele is a collection or engorgement of veins in the scrotum. These veins normally take the blood away from the testes into the abdomen. A varicocele is very similar to varicose veins which develop in the legs. It is estimated that at least 20% of men have varicoceles and the figure may even be higher because many men do not even known if they have it. In those men who are sterile, the incidence of varicoceles has been reported to be as high as 40%.