Does pregnancy increase the risk for varicose veins?

Some studies find that the presence of varicose veins is higher in women than men. A possible explanation for the increased risk in women is pregnancy: the frequency of varicose veins is higher in women who have had a child than in those who have never been pregnant.^[1] In fact, each additional pregnancy further increases a woman’s risk of developing varicose veins. Other pregnancy-related risk factors for varicose veins include excessive weight gain, post-term pregnancy, and preeclampsia.^[2]

Some women appear to develop varicose veins during pregnancy, indicating a causal relationship.^[3] During pregnancy, there is an increase in intra-abdominal pressure which, along with weight gain, increases direct pressure on the veins of the lower extremities. Elevated pressure can rupture venous valves, leading to the development of venous reflux and the appearance of varicose veins. The hormones estrogen and progesterone — which increase during pregnancy — may also contribute to lower-extremity vein dilation and valve rupture.

In most women, even without treatment, varicose veins can resolve following pregnancy.^[3]