It’s never fun to look in the mirror and see veins bulging out where they didn’t used to. And while it’s a common misconception that varicose veins only happen to “old people,” they can, and do, develop at any age.

At first, you may only notice the enlarged veins when you’ve been on your feet for a while. And since sometimes they seem to flatten out, maybe you’re wondering if varicose veins can go away on their own?

The short answer is no, varicose veins do not go away on their own. In fact, it’s a progressive condition that tends to get worse over time. But that doesn’t mean you just have to live with it.

Where do varicose veins come from?

Varicose veins can happen anywhere, but are most common on the legs. Inside your veins are tiny, one-way valves that keep blood flowing up toward your heart. Sometimes these valves fail, allowing gravity to pull the blood backwards where it pools inside the vein. This is called chronic venous insufficiency and it’s what causes varicose veins.

There are a variety of reasons why the valves fail. Sometimes it’s due to wear and tear from age. Sometimes it’s the result of an injury. Sometimes it’s genetic. Regardless of the reason, once the damage is done there is no known way to repair it. Which is why varicose veins won’t just go away.

Will varicose veins go away if I lose weight?

Excess weight puts a strain on every system in your body, including your veins. So you are more likely to develop varicose veins if you are carrying extra pounds.

Losing weight may help prevent new varicose veins from forming, but unfortunately, it won’t make the ones you already have go away. In fact, varicose veins can look more prominent after weight loss.

Will varicose veins go away with exercise?

Study after study has demonstrated that exercise benefits your health regardless of your age or fitness level. When it comes to varicose veins, exercise can improve venous tone and reduce symptoms like aching and swelling.

Muscle contractions are a natural part of circulation that help pump blood back to your heart. By pushing blood through your veins and keeping it from pooling, physical activity can help varicose veins look less visible for a time. However, it will not make them go away permanently.

Will varicose veins go away after pregnancy?

Varicose veins occur during pregnancy due to the increased pressure in your abdomen. If your veins are otherwise healthy, then your varicose veins will likely go away after pregnancy. However, if the valves were already weak, then they may not recover. The odds of having persistent varicose veins increases with multiple pregnancies.

Can you stop varicose veins from getting worse?

There are no home remedies that will make varicose veins go away. But healthy habits in your daily life can help slow their progression. Eating a balanced diet, staying active, avoiding smoking, and losing excess weight will all benefit your veins. You may also want to start wearing compression stockings because they help prevent blood from pooling your legs.

However, once the vein valves have been damaged they tend to get worse over time. No matter how well you take care of yourself, you’ll probably notice your varicose veins getting worse eventually. If left untreated for long enough, they can lead to pain, edema, skin discoloration, and, in severe cases, ulcers.

How to get rid of varicose veins?

The treatment for chronic venous insufficiency is called venous closure. This minimally invasive surgery closes the damaged vein from the inside. Your body then reroutes blood flow to nearby, healthy veins, stopping blood from pooling in your legs.

Venous closure is a routine procedure that can be done in your doctor’s office during your lunch hour. It causes minimal discomfort and has an uncomplicated recovery. Best of all, most people will see their varicose veins completely disappear once they’ve fully healed.

If you’d like to learn more about getting rid of your varicose veins, the experts at Dekalb Vein Center are here to help. Schedule your appointment today to consult with vein specialist, Dr. Ian Katz.