How common are varicose veins and venous reflux disease?
About 50 to 55% of American women and 40 to 45% of American men suffer from some form of vein problem. Varicose veins affect 1 out of 2 people age 50 and older. Who usually has varicose veins and spider veins? Many factors increase a person’s chances of developing varicose or spider veins. These include: • Increasing Age • Having family members with vein problems or being born with weak vein valves • Hormonal changes. These occur during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Taking birth control pills and other medicines containing estrogen and progesterone also increase the risk of varicose or spider veins • Pregnancy. During pregnancy there is a huge increase in the amount of blood in the body. This can cause veins to enlarge. The expanding uterus also puts pressure on the veins. Varicose veins usually improve within 3 months after delivery. A growing number of abnormal veins usually appear with each additional pregnancy • Obesity, leg injury, prolonged standing and other things that wea
