Period Veins

It is not uncommon for us to hear from female patients that they have increased pain and swelling from their varicose veins at certain times of the month.

Although it is widely understood that varicose veins can be "hormonal'. Research to back up the science has been fairly limited with just a few international studies undertaken in the last two decades.

However, the data from those studies demonstrates a change in the diameter of the Great Saphenous Vein (a long superficial vein that runs the length of the leg) at different times of the menstruation cycle. 

Why? About 7-10 days prior to menstruation, production of the hormone progesterone increases. This surge loosens the veins walls, allowing the vein to carry more blood.

However, valves in the leg veins that transport blood back to the heart may strain from this excess blood flow thus causing varicose veins to form or worsen. Afterwards, once the progesterone decreases the vein diameter reduces and with this the symptoms can disappear.

Women who observe that their varicose veins become more bothersome with their period may want to consider wearing compression wear during their premenstrual stage to support venous sufficiency. Compression socks now come in a wide range of strengths, colours and styles so you need not feel self-conscious about wearing them.