When you picture someone who has varicose veins, do you imagine a woman? If so, that is fair since there are more women than men with these visible veins. One reason that a somewhat higher percent of women get varicose veins is because they can be linked to pregnancy and hormonal changes. However, the gender split is not as wide as you may think. There are millions of men in the US who suffer from varicose veins. Varicose veins are also linked to excess weight, sitting or standing too long, and genetics – all of which affect men as well as women.
How many men get varicose veins?
It is estimated that almost half of men will have vein issues at some point. Often these veins appear as we get older. They can also be linked with excess weight, so people with obesity are more prone to having varicose veins. If you are a man with varicose veins, you are not alone. We have many success stories of male patients who used to have varicose & spider vein issues.
What are signs of varicose veins that men should look out for?
One key symptom that our male patients often tell us about, is that their legs began to feel heavy. A heavy, tired feeling in the legs is a primary symptom of varicose veins. Other times, men notice their varicose veins visually before feeling any symptoms. In either case, seeing a doctor as soon as possible is best. Varicose veins cannot go away on their own, and treatment is the only way to get rid of a varicose vein, and prevent it from getting worse. In many cases it is easier to treat a varicose vein in its early stage.
Is it ok to ignore varicose veins?
You may have varicose veins, but are not worried about the cosmetic appearance of them. If varicose veins were just a cosmetic issue, then ignoring them would be ok. However, varicose veins can lead to substantial health conditions. For instance, a varicose vein can get worse and potentially lead to a DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis). DVT involves a blood clot that breaks loose and travels to a vital organ. If this blood clot cuts off the blood flow to the brain, this a critical medical emergency that can result in death. Varicose veins can also lead to issues with wounds healing, ulcers, and skin infections.
While ignoring a cold or a sprained ankle can result in a natural return to health, ignoring a varicose vein will never result in it disappearing.
Can varicose veins be cured?
A varicose vein cannot get better. The only way to get rid of a varicose vein is with treatment. One popular treatment we offer is microphlebectomy, where the vein is removed through a very small incision. We also offer even more minimally invasive treatments, including one where we collapse the vein with an injection. This is called sclerotherapy. Some men particularly like our laser treatment for varicose veins. Lasers allow us to treat veins completely non-invasively. When you come in for a consultation, we can tell you which treatment options would be the best fit for you.
Will insurance cover varicose veins treatment?
In many cases, insurance will cover varicose vein treatments. This is because a varicose vein is a medical issue – not simply a cosmetic one. To find out if your varicose vein treatment may be covered by insurance, talk to our office. We can help you understand your coverage.
At West Medical, we treat many male patients with varicose veins. If you can either see varicose veins, or are having symptoms like heavy legs, give us a call. Remember a varicose vein cannot be cured without medical treatment, so if you have heavy, aching legs, itchy skin that will not heal, and visible veins in your legs, varicose vein treatment may be a good option for you. Call us at to speak to our helpful team members at (855) 690-0565.