Leg vein disorders such as spider veins and varicose veins are conditions that affect around half of the adult population in the United States, with women making up the majority of cases. What many women who suffer from these disorders don’t realize, though, is that the birth control they are taking may be exaggerating the problem. In this article, we’ll explore the correlation between venous disorders and birth control use as well as look at how you can go about treating your varicose and spider veins.
How Birth Control Affects the Look of Your Leg Veins
Your body’s hormones play a wide range of important functions, including functions within the cardiovascular system such as determining the strength and elasticity of your vein walls and regulating the flow rate of blood. Since birth control affects the hormone balance in your body, though, it also affects these functions. Excess hormones such as estrogen and progestin can slow down your blood flow, leading to blood clots that can cause a wide range of venous disorders – including varicose veins, spider veins, and deep vein thrombosis. The hormones found in birth control pills are also known to weaken vein walls, which can likewise lead to a number of unwanted venous conditions.
The Difference Between Varicose and Spider Veins
Though the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there is an important distinction between varicose veins and spider veins. In essence, spider veins are considered to be a milder form of varicose veins. Like varicose veins, spider veins are twisted veins that are visible through the skin. Varicose veins, though, tend to be larger and more swollen than spider veins. Varicose veins are also known to cause physical discomfort while spider veins typically do not.
Will Stopping Birth Control Make These Veins Go Away?
While stopping your birth control may prevent your spider or varicose veins from becoming more severe, it isn’t likely to reverse any damage that has already been done. Thankfully, though, there are a number of vein treatment procedures that can completely eliminate unsightly leg veins. In most cases, an outpatient procedure that requires only the use of local anesthetic is all that will be required to get rid of varicose and spider veins. Vein treatments such as sclerotherapy and laser ablation are both minimally invasive and highly effective, enabling vein doctors to get rid of unsightly leg veins in just a few, short sessions of treatment.
Get Your Varicose Veins Treated at Tri-City Vein
If you are searching for vein treatment in Phoenix, Arizona then scheduling an appointment with an expert phlebologist at Tri-City Vein is an excellent option to consider. At Tri-City Vein, we provide many vein treatment options designed to cure a broad range of venous disorders. To meet our vein physicians in Phoenix and to get started treating your leg veins with simple, proven procedures that are guaranteed to work, be sure to schedule an appointment by contacting us at (480) 835-6100 today.
