While birth control drugs have been a useful tool for many women, new studies show that the consistent use of these medications is related to numerous medical conditions, including the appearance of varicose veins.
How Birth Control Makes Your Leg Veins Worse
Using birth control drugs long-term may cause the appearance of venous issues such as varicose veins and spider veins. These issues generally occur in the legs and are the result of weakened vein valves.
Vein valves can weaken for numerous reasons, but one common reason is the presentation of higher estrogen levels in the body. Most types of birth control contain the hormone estrogen, which is why the use of these drugs is linked to varicose veins.
How Birth Control Affects the Look of Your Leg Veins
When vein valves begin to weaken in the legs, they don’t close properly, and blood has trouble flowing to the heart correctly. In turn, this can cause the lower part of the veins to become filled with leaked blood, and this may cause the vein walls to weaken as well. The visible result will be that veins grow larger and become more apparent on the surface of the skin.
Difference Between Varicose and Spider Veins
If you’ve noticed some changes to the veins in your legs, you may be wondering whether you have spider veins or varicose veins.
Varicose veins tend to be large and raised. You can feel them just by running your hand over your skin. Sometimes, they have a twisted appearance, and they are generally bluish or purple in color.
On the other hand, spider veins are thinner and threadlike. They are also bluish or purple in color, but they are sometimes red as well. Spider veins do not protrude away from the legs as much as varicose veins do and are usually, in fact, flat against the skin.
Will Stopping Birth Control Make These Veins Go Away?
It’s possible that stopping birth control could help the appearance of varicose veins or spider veins. However, it’s more likely that stopping birth control will stop the appearance of more veins and not make those that have already appeared go away.
One thing to keep in mind is that any patient considering stopping birth control should consult with their doctor before doing anything on their own. There are other side effects associated with stopping or starting birth control pills to consider.
Perhaps more important even than preventing further varicose veins, stopping birth control can help prevent blood clots. Taking birth control is positively correlated with having more varicose veins, but it’s also positively correlated with developing DVT (deep vein thrombosis), which can lead to life-threatening blood clots.
Treatments for Venous Issues
Whether you’re struggling with varicose veins, spider veins, or other issues of the leg veins, Schulman Vein and Laser Center in Manhattan, New York can help. Take a look at our wide variety of vein treatment options below:
Finding Vein Treatment in Manhattan, NY
Don’t let uncomfortable and unsightly leg veins keep you from doing what you love. Contact Schulman Vein and Laser Center today to meet our vein physicians in Manhattan, NY and schedule an appointment. We look forward to working with you!