What Causes Varicose Veins? Part 2

Trauma: Because superficial leg veins are located underneath the skin, they are quite prone to damage with any type of blunt or penetrating trauma. Once a superficial vein has been damaged, it will never work as normal and varicosities often develop in future. The majority of individuals who have leg trauma have life long swelling of their feet due to damage to these veins.

Estrogen: The female sex hormone, estrogen, is associated with an increased incidence of varicosities. Estrogen is thought to cause varicose veins because it either thins the veins or damages the valves. Either of these condition leads to pooling of blood in the legs. Because of presence of the sex hormone, estrogen, women tend to develop varicose veins more often than men.

Obesity is one medical disorder that is associated severe varicose veins. The excess weight is the chief reason why varicose veins are more prominent in obese individuals. The thin veins simply are not able to sustain the high pressure from body weight and increased fluids. Even when weight is lost, varicose veins do not completely disappear.

Pregnancy: Almost 70% of women who get pregnant develop varicosities during the 2/3rd trimester. The chief reason for this is that the fetus increases pressure in the lower abdomen and prevents the superficial veins from pushing blood back to the heart. Increased fluid accumulation and excess estrogen are other factors that have been linked to varicose vein formation during pregnancy. Varicose veins are usually more severe in women with multiple pregnancies than in women who have had just one pregnancy. The varicosities do get worse with each subsequent pregnancy. One way to prevent varicose veins during pregnancy is to wear compression stockings and avoid sleeping on the back. Always lie on the left side. This prevents the fetus from compressing the lower pelvis. Varicose veins which develop during pregnancy are always “thick and rope” like and never completely disappear after childbirth.

Genetics: Varicose veins do tend to run in families. If one member of the family is affected, the chances are high that other members of family may also develop varicose veins. In most cases, this genetic link is stronger in females than males.

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