Under the expert guidance of our Board Certified Vascular Surgeon, Dr. Mark Zuzga, our team of Vein Specialists & Vascular Experts are committed to delivering top-tier outpatient vascular & vein evaluation and treatment throughout the greater Tampa & West Florida surrounding areas. Should you find yourself dealing with leg pain, swelling, ulcers, discoloration, or the appearance of spider and varicose veins, we invite you to request a screening todayHormones Big Effect on Your Veins
Did you know that your hormones and your vascular health are related? They are! Hormones control a lot of what happens in the human body, so there’s no surprise that your hormone levels have an effect on your venous health. Hormonal fluctuations, especially those that occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, can lead to vascular problems. However, this topic and connection is vast, complicated, and there’s still more to be learned and studied on it. Here are some things that are known:
- Spider veins and varicose veins are a common side effect of hormonal changes in the body.
- A drop in hormone levels, like progesterone, can cause vein walls to relax, which can allow more blood to build up and pool inside the veins. This pooling of blood increases pressure on the valves in the veins. This can lead to bulging and enlarging of veins, which in turn make the veins varicose.
- Hormone fluctuation is part of pregnancy. Increased blood flow, an expanding uterus, and more weight in the body puts a lot of pressure on lower-body, especially the veins in the legs. Many pregnant women have been known to develop varicose veins.
- Women with hormonal imbalances, especially those taking a synthetic hormone replacement, have been known to develop varicose veins.
- Estrogen and varicose veins are connected. How so? As women get older, specifically during middle-age years, the liver begins to have a harder time from removing estrogen from the body effectively, and a buildup occurs. This build up can lead to weight gain and excessive or insufficiency blood flow during periods, which can lead to varicose veins in a woman’s pelvic and/or ovarian regions.
If you think you may have hormonal issues that may lead to the development of varicose veins or may be the cause of your current vein issues, it’s best you reach out to a vein specialist to help diagnose and treat any issues or concerns you have. Dr. Zuzga of West Florida Vein Center can sit down with you to discuss your concerns and provide you with treatment, if needed. To reach his office, call 727-712-3233 or click here.