Men Can Get Varicose Veins Too

Men Can Get Varicose Veins Too

Protruding purple and blue veins are often associated with being on a middle-aged woman’s legs.  But, what many people don’t know is that men can get varicose veins too. In fact, 45 percent of men suffer from a vein disease – that’s a substantial amount!

Between wearing long pants and having more hair on their legs than women, men can often oversee the changes that happen on and under the skin on their legs. With the absence of pain, it’s also easy to ignore a small change in the way the skin looks. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, men are 24 percent less likely than woman to have visited a doctor within the past year, and nearly one-third of American men haven’t had a checkup in the last year.

If vein diseases are a serious issue, why would some men avoid getting their legs checked out? According to a survey done by the American Medical Association, men don’t go to the doctor because they are scared of what they might find out.  They avoid the trip due to fear, denial and embarrassment. With many men believing that only women can get varicose veins, they are often slow to recognize a vein disease for what it is.

Getting a Diagnosis

What is a varicose vein, exactly? Varicose veins occur as the result of the Great Saphenous Vein breakdown; this is an internal vein on the inside of the thigh. When this vein breaks, blood leakage in the wrong direction occurs and blood leaks from the thigh into the calf and pools in the calf veins. This pooling causes the veins to stretch and bulge from underneath the skin. All this pressure from the blood can cause cramps, pressure, clots and ulcers in the leg if left untreated. This break down can happen in a man or woman.

If there’s any sign of change on the veins on the leg, a man should get it checked out by a doctor. Varicose veins aren’t just a cosmetic issue. Although women have the higher chance of developing varicose veins, it’s best to get any questionable vein checked out to prevent damage or pain in the body from occurring. Without treatment, varicose veins will worsen.

How Do Men Get Varicose Veins?

It’s medically proven that women are at a higher risk for varicose veins. Some causes for women include: excess of estrogen, crossing legs, high heels, skinny jeans and pregnancy. Since men don’t usually fit in those stated causes, how do men get varicose veins? There’s actually quite a few reasons. One reason a man gets varicose veins is due to his family history. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, about half of all people who have varicose veins have a family history with them. Aging is another reason a man is susceptible to getting varicose veins, because the valves in the veins don’t work as well.  Being overweight or obesity can also increase a man’s risk of developing varicose veins in his lifetime. The increased amount of fatty tissue in the body puts pressure on everything inside the body, including the circulatory system veins, which are thin and pliable. With an increased pressure on the veins, valve failures occur. Two other reasons for a man to have this vein disease is lack of activity and a previous leg trauma, like a blood clot or damage to valves.

How Can Men Avoid Varicose Veins?

Men can prevent varicose ways by many of the same ways that women can. Prevention ideas include:

1. Exercise. Exercising keeps the vein walls strong, keeps the blood flowing and keeps weight in check. Try to avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time, as well, because blood will pool in the legs.
2. Watching the diet. By eating a diet that maintains one’s healthy weight, a person can avoid being overweight or obese. Avoiding high sodium foods is also good, since excess sodium leads to fluid retention in the body.
3. Wear compression hose to push blood up the legs.

No matter your gender, varicose veins can occur. If you’re questioning veins on your body, Dr. Zuzga is here to help. Contact West Florida Vein Center at (727) 712-3233 to schedule an appointment.