I’m Embarrassed About My Varicose Veins

Everyone has veins. You might think, then, that they wouldn’t be something to be embarrassed about. But if you have cord-like veins bulging from your legs, you know it’s a different story. Highly visible varicose veins might have you avoiding certain clothing options or activities that involve shorts or swimsuits.

If you have varicose veins that bother you, you should know that you have options. At Vascular & Interventional Associates, serving northern Kentucky and the Cincinnati, Ohio, area, we offer treatment to make varicose veins disappear. Talk to our providers to find out which vein treatment we recommend for your legs. 

Why you can see varicose veins

To understand how we can minimize the appearance of embarrassing varicose veins, it’s helpful to know why you get them in the first place. You get these enlarged, twisting veins because that specific blood vessel isn’t working as it should. 

Your veins are supposed to allow blood flow in only one direction, back to your heart. Over time, the blood vessels in your legs are subjected to a lot of pressure, especially if you sit or stand for long periods. This can cause the valve in the vein to malfunction, allowing blood to flow in the opposite direction and to pool in a weak section of the vein. 

The damage enlarges the vein, leading to bulging that you can see under your skin’s surface with your naked eye, generally on your legs and ankles. The pooled blood causes a blue or purple color.

When you choose varicose vein treatment, you’re choosing to seal off or otherwise eliminate that vein so it fades away. Some people worry about removing a pathway for their blood, but there are two important things to know here:

First, that vein already isn’t working properly. Second, your legs have plenty of other blood vessels to use. When you seal off one vein, your body reroutes blood flow to healthy, properly functioning veins in your legs. 

How we treat varicose veins

Varicose veins are usually more of a cosmetic problem than a health problem, and if you’re embarrassed about your veins, you’re not alone. So, how do we get rid of varicose veins? At Vascular and Interventional Associates, we offer several options. 

Endovenous laser ablation involves an ultrasound-guided laser to heat the interior of the vein, which causes it to close. Radiofrequency ablation follows the same process, but we use radiofrequency (RF) energy rather than laser energy to cause the damage that seals the vein.

Another option is sclerotherapy with Varithena®. During this treatment, we use ultrasound to guide targeted injection of the Varithena medicated foam into your vein, causing it to close. 

With any of these options, once the vein is closed, your body reroutes the blood and starts to absorb the nonfunctioning vein. Over time, the bulging, damaged vein becomes less and less visible through the skin on your legs. 

We also offer microphlebectomy, during which your doctor surgically removes the affected vein. It requires a small incision and involves a local anesthetic.

All of these treatments give you a way to get rid of the varicose veins that bother you. To find out which option is right for you, call our office in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, or request an appointment online today.