CVI in women: How hormones, pregnancy and age affect vein health

CVI in women is often influenced by hormones, pregnancy and age which play a major role in vein health and overall well being. (image: Pexels)

Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is when the veins in the legs do not pump enough blood back to the heart, usually because the valves are not working well or the veins are damaged. This leads to blood pooling in the legs which causes swelling, heaviness and varicose veins and skin changes. While CVI certainly affects both men and women, women are at a far higher risk due to a number of differences in biology, and lifestyle.

Warped hormone balance, pregnancy and age-related effects also stress the woman’s veins during her lifetime. In addition to these evolutionary trends, family history, obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity lead to increased risk.

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Dr Uma Vaidyanathan, Director- Obstetrician & Gynecology, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh explains that by understanding these risk factors and working to minimize the danger, (such as by staying active, maintaining a healthy/normal body weight, and wearing compression stockings) women can minimize their risk of developing CVI and extend the life of their veins.

Hormonal influence

Hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, are vital for female reproduction, but also can impact the strength of veins. They relax the walls of veins and boost the effectiveness of valves that permit blood to pool. Women are at greater risk than men to develop CVI due to hormonal changes during menstruation or with birth control pills.

Pregnancy linked pressure

The body makes extra blood to help the baby during pregnancy. This applies pressure on the veins. The expanding uterus puts pressure on pelvic veins and slows the return of blood from the legs. Hormonal shifts also cause the walls of the vein to relax. These combined factors can lead to varicose veins and increase the risk of CVI.

The role of age

As veins age they lose their elasticity and valves become weaker. The protective mechanism of estrogen is gone after menopause which complicates the issue. Failure to exercise and being overweight increase the older woman's chances of suffering long term CVI.

A lifetime of compounded risk

Women experience many phases that put pressure on their veins. Hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy and menopause all contribute to the burden. The more the stage progresses the higher the risk is, and that is the reason why CVI is more frequent in women as time passes.

Additional risk factors

Family history, obesity, smoking and extended hours of sitting cumulates the risk for CVI. And if the patient has had previous vein clots, that can also increase the risk of it happening.

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Prevention and management

The risk for CVI can be reduced with regular activity, maintaining a healthy weight, elevation of the legs, and with use of compression stockings. These steps relieve the pressure on veins and help the blood flow smoothly. In bad cases, treatments like lasers or injections may be recommended.

In other words, CVI in women is due to their biology and life cycles. With early recognition and treatment can keep your veins healthy and live well.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.