If you’ve ever noticed bulging, twisted veins on the legs of a market woman who stands all day, or even on a young mum after pregnancy, those are varicose veins.
They’re more than just an aesthetic issue; they can cause heaviness, pain, and discomfort.
Women, especially in Nigeria, face a higher risk because of long hours on their feet, pregnancy, and even simple things like wearing high heels.
But here’s the big question: can women actually prevent varicose veins, or is it just unavoidable?
Let’s talk about it.
Why Do Varicose Veins Happen?
Varicose veins show up when the small “gates” inside your veins stop working well. Normally, these gates help blood move back up to the heart. When they become weak, blood begins to gather in the legs, and the veins swell, becoming visible.
Varicose veins can affect both men and women, but women tend to experience them more often. This happens because of a mix of biological, hormonal, and lifestyle factors:
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Hormonal changes: Estrogen and progesterone, the main female hormones, naturally relax the walls of blood vessels. During pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause, these hormones fluctuate and make vein walls weaker, increasing the chance of varicose veins.
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Pregnancy: Carrying a baby means more blood is circulating in the body. At the same time, the growing womb puts pressure on the main blood vessels in the pelvis, slowing down blood flow from the legs. This is why many women first notice varicose veins during pregnancy.
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Family history: If your mum or grandma had varicose veins, you stand a higher chance of having them too.
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Long hours on your feet or sitting down: Occupations like teaching, banking, nursing, or hairdressing can put pressure on the leg veins.
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Weight and lack of movement: Adding extra weight or not moving around enough make it harder for blood to flow freely.
Simply put, anything that puts more pressure on your legs or weakens the veins can contribute to someone getting varicose veins.
Everyday Prevention Tips You Can Use
While you cannot change factors like hormones or family history, there are daily habits that can help reduce the risk of varicose veins or slow their progression:
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Stay active: Simple activities like walking, dancing, or even light household chores improve circulation in the legs. You don’t need a gym membership; regular movement is enough.
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Maintain a healthy weight: Extra body weight puts more pressure on the leg veins. Eating balanced meals with less fried foods and more vegetables, beans, and fruits supports better vein health.
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Avoid sitting or standing too long: Office workers, teachers, market women, and bankers often stand or sit in one place for hours. Try to stretch, move around, or shift positions every 30 minutes.
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Elevate your legs: At home, you can place your legs on a pillow or stool while resting to help blood flow back to your heart more easily.
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Wear compression stockings: These are special elastic stockings available in Nigerian pharmacies. They gently squeeze the legs to improve circulation and can prevent veins from getting worse.
During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is one of the biggest risk periods for varicose veins, but a few simple habits can help reduce the pressure on your veins:
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Sleep on your left side: This eases pressure on the main vein that carries blood from your legs back to your heart.
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Use maternity support stockings: They improve circulation and reduce swelling in the legs, especially in the later months.
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Avoid standing for too long: If you need to cook or work while standing, try shifting your weight from one leg to the other or take short sitting breaks.
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Keep your legs slightly elevated when resting. A pillow under your feet while lying down can do the job.
When to See a Doctor
Most varicose veins are not dangerous, but you should seek medical attention if you notice:
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Severe pain, heaviness, or swelling in the legs
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Skin changes around the veins, such as darkening or thickening
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Sores or ulcers near the ankles that do not heal
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Sudden swelling in one leg (this could signal a more serious clot)
Doctors may recommend treatments like sclerotherapy (injections that close off veins), laser therapy, or minor surgical procedures if the veins are causing serious problems.
Myths vs. Facts
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Myth 1: Only older women get varicose veins
Fact: Younger women, especially during pregnancy or with jobs that involve long hours of standing, can also develop them.
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Myth 2: Crossing your legs causes varicose veins
Fact: Crossing your legs doesn’t cause varicose veins. The real problem is weak or damaged venous valves, leading to pressure buildup.
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Myth 3: Varicose veins are only a cosmetic issue
Fact: For some women, they may just be visible veins, but for others, they come with pain, heaviness, swelling, or even skin changes if left untreated.
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Myth 4: Surgery is the only solution
Fact: Not true. Compression stockings, lifestyle changes, and minimally invasive treatments are effective and widely used before surgery is even considered.
Conclusion
Varicose veins are a common concern for many women, but the good news is that being aware of and proactive about them makes a difference.
Taking charge of your vein health is not just about comfort or appearance; it’s also about protecting your overall well-being for the long term.
What are your thoughts? Have you or someone you know struggled with varicose veins? How do you think women can better protect themselves from it?
Researched by Victoria Odueso
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