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Conditions

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins (Photo from Wellcome Trust)

Your legs might look an aerial view of a flesh-coloured mountain range, but varicose veins are a very common condition. Rare in people under 20, but more common with age and pregnancy, women tend to be more affected than men, with approximately 30% of women developing varicose veins in their life time, compared to only 15% of men. Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins, which are usually blue or dark purple in colour and lumpy, bulging, or twisted in appearance. They occur when blood collects in veins with damaged or weakened valves, which usually work to prevent blood destined for the heart from travelling backwards. It’s a bit like the directional arrows that usher IKEA customers through the store. If everyone just buys their £7 uplighter and moves on, all runs smoothly. But if the system breaks down and a few bargain-hunting renegades push their trolley against the flow, then we’ll see multiple clogs forming! Always an unpleasant sight.

What the Men in White Coats Say

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Hello,im 40 and had verciose veins removed after my 3rd child now that i did hve another 3 more children im not very happy with my legs as i thought getting them removed that it would of help me but it has made thing worse my left leg is blacky grey and my ankleis like reddy purple like a bruise it has left me with no confidence to show my legs im always in trousers m docter has said its a cometic problem im just wondering what to do now now that summer is coming its going to be harder?





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hi I am 19 and have got to children. I had a caesarean with with last child since ive had him ive had so many problems including bulging varicose veins on the back of my legs. I am so self concious about myself so not on are the varicose veins a physical pain they are also an emotional pain. is there anything that can be done to reduce or get rid of them, please help. thanks.





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I had an operation when I was 16 and was not made aware I should have come off the pill at least 6 weeks before my op, so I was given support stockings which I wore for about 4 days. After my op I discovered behind both knees and lower calf these unsighlty blue veins. I have never been able to wear skirts above the knee, I am now 33 and still feel very embarrassed with my legs, I dread holidays and swimming etc. I have been to the doctors on numerous occasions due to the pain and cramps etc but htey just send me away. Private treatment is a min of £2693 which I just find crazy, is there any other help out there ??? :-(





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Hi im 29 i,i suffer from varicose veins to my legs the calf area i am cautious of them all the time and never wear skirts as im really embarressed about them i really need to do something to get rid of them , they throb all the time and i have used creams but NO LUCK,PLEASE HELP ME





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hi i am 42 years and i suffer with Varicose vien in my groin erea its in my testicals mainly th eright one sometimes its alright and it dont bother me much but on some occassions its hurts me that much its like i have just been kicked in the groin it gets that bad i double up with pain its that bad it makes me feel sick .a while back about ayear or 2 now i went to the gum clinic had all the tests done from there had ultrasoundscan done on my testicals thats when i found out that i had varicose vein wat can i do to ease this problem anything you can offer me advise wise will be greatfully recieved many thanks in advanced





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hi im 28 and i discover a varicose vin in my left leg in my early 20's. now iv have had two children and i now have them behind my left knee and are moving up and down my leg. its really painful. its effecting my life because i cant wear skirts or take my children swimming. im afraid of them getting really bad please help me





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I'm a 37 year old woman and during prenancy I developed what I've been told are Varicos Veins on the outer lips of my privates. Aparently, they were caused by the presure of carrying a large baby for my size. They are very ugly and look more like blood blisters to me. They can be uncomfortable at times with a heavy dragging feel and if they burst, it can take a while to stem the blood flow. Is there anything that can be done to remove them ?





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hi ive had a vein on my left leg since i was 16, its gradually getting bigger and i also get really bad cramps in my leg, i know its not going to magiclly go away but just because i have it in that leg does it mean it will spread to the other? or does it mean eventually my whole leg will get coverd in veins ? thankyou





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Im 35 years old and a mother of three.I have suffered from ugly painful varicose veins since the age of 20,they are worse on my left leg they are lumpy and tender they spread to my foot which looks bruised and if i stand for any length of time my leg gets heavy and aches and so does my foot. i even developed dvt during my third pregnancy, im fed up with these horrible painful veins,i never show my legs as they are so bad,please help.





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i am 26 and i think i have a varicose vein on the back of my leg behind my knee. its been there for as long as i can remember but it gets bigger and more noticable as i get older. while sitting down or standing for long periods of time. espechially while flying my leg aches, i think this has something to do with the vein. shold i get this vein removed?





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Content supplied by NHS Choices

Varicose veins are dark purple or blue in colour, and are usually twisted and bulging in appearance. Some people with varicose veins will not experience any pain or discomfort, while others are more severely affected. Read More »

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