Men drive up demand for varicose vein treatments

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Varicose veins may seem the bane of middle-aged women, but experts now believe that they are just as likely to affect men as women – the difference is that, in the past, women were more likely to seek treatment. However, that’s all set to change as men are becoming increasingly motivated to seek a solution to varicose veins.

Whether it’s because we live in a more visual world or that more of us than ever are playing sport and exercising regularly and men do not want to reveal the unsightly blue bulges marring their legs; SportEngland’s latest data noted that over 15 million adults now play sport at least once a week, an increase of almost 2 million on 2005/6. There’s even now been a term coined to describe varicose veins in men – ‘grandpa legs’.

Are varicose veins merely an aesthetic concern?

Most people do not suffer problems associated with these swollen, visible veins lying just under the skin, but symptoms include:

  • A feeling of aching or heaviness in the legs
  • The skin may itch or there is a burning sensation
  • You may experience ‘restless legs’ and even cramping in the legs particularly at night
  • The legs and ankles may swell up, particularly common at the end of the day

Although these symptoms might not necessarily affect your ability to perform normal activities or impact on your quality of life, varicose veins can be very unsightly, with lumps, swelling or noticeably blue or purple twisting veins pushing against the skin. The skin can also change colour and texture and, in some cases, result in ulcers.

What treatments are available for varicose veins?

When treatments were mainly restricted to surgery or wearing compression garments, it’s not surprising that many men choose to just put up with the problem. However, technological advances in recent years has meant that there are now minimally invasive, highly effective procedures available.

In addition to NICE-recommended endothermal ablation procedures, Cornwall Vein Clinic also offers two other innovative and exciting keyhole treatments for varicose veins that are performed as keyhole procedures; ClariVein™ and cyanoacrylate glue occlusion. They require no anaesthetic, are quick to perform and mean significantly less downtime, so are increasingly popular with male patients wanting a solution to varicose veins. For more information on the treatments we offer, call 01872 226 100.