ask05natalie05
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Q: I'm 20, and I noticed a couple of spots on my legs where I have spider veins and I'm a bit freaked out by them. Definitely not what I need right now.

After I researched a little bit I found two possible causes: Being overweight and birth control.

I'm currently overweight and losing weight to become healthier. I'm also on birth control. But I'll most likely be sexually active very soon and don't want to stop taking the pill if that's not the cause...

Can anyone think of a way to pinpoint which is causing them?

I'm not sure how long I've had them... because I usually don't examine my legs as a daily routine. I just don't want more of them...
Hi! Firstly I'd like to give you some more information on spider veins.
Spider veins can be caused by a number of things:
- Weak or damaged valves in the veins
- genetics (e.g. genes for weak valves)
- Hormone changes (during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause; or when taking birth control pills, or other medications with estrogen or progesterone, which changes hormones)
- Other pregnancy related causes (e.g. increased blood flow)
- Sun exposure
- Increased age (valves become weaker and less efficient with age)
- Injuries
- Overweight or obesity (puts more pressure on veins)
- Lack of movement (sitting or standing for a long time puts pressure on veins, and we all sit for long periods of time these days, whether it be at work or home)

They are also very common, and mostly appear on the legs because of the pressure put on veins to move blood upwards, against gravity.

As you can see, spider veins are something that many people get. I have them on my legs and I am only 19 and I'm not overweight, but my mother has them so I probably got them from her. Also you can see from this that it is difficult to pinpoint what is causing them, as there are so many possible causes (also they are so common, like pimples or stretch marks).
I will give you the link to the website I got this info from. You'll see it also has treatment options for spider veins (even surgery! which is a bit extreme). I want to say that you shouldn't be so worried about this, as many people get them (yes, even men do). But there is an interesting section on preventing them that I think is more useful than removing them. It has things like exercise, good foods to eat, and just small things you can do. Note that it also says not all spider veins can be prevented, unfortunately they are something we naturally get as we age!


http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/varicose-spider-veins.cfm

Thank you so much!

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05natalie05
Hi! My name is Natalie and I am from Australia. I have always enjoyed helping people, and that is why I love using this website so much, and why I am studying Psychology at University to become a Clinical Psychologist. Hopefully I can give you some helpful advice and I always love feedback! :)

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