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Help for a condition that can make you feel self-conscious

	Treatments can help your legs look and feel much better, but the treatments may also have side effects. ConsumerReportsHealth.org can help you decide whether or not to treat your varicose veins.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org today and find out whether medication or surgery rates best for treating varicose veins.

If you or someone you know is diagnosed with varicose veins, you're not alone. Consumer Reports Health can help with the best research about varicose veins, and expert evidence and advice about treatment options.

Key points for people with varicose veins

• Varicose veins are very common, especially in women.
• You get them when the valves in certain veins are not working properly and blood collects in the veins instead of flowing up the leg.
• Varicose veins will slowly get worse if they are not treated.
• You can have varicose veins removed by surgery or can have injections that make the veins disappear. Doctors normally use injections only for smaller veins or to get rid of any remaining veins after surgery.
• Varicose veins can return after treatment, and you may get new ones. Surgery seems to keep legs free of varicose veins longer than injections, but surgery may have more risks.
• Special support stockings may alleviate aching and swelling. But there's no evidence to tell us for sure.
• There are also things you can do to try to help symptoms such as aching and swelling.

Experts think that about 40 million Americans have varicose veins, although they don't know for sure. Researchers think you may be at higher risk of getting varicose veins if you are pregnant or overweight. Your family history also may be important.

Varicose veins usually won't go away on their own. But if they are causing you problems, treatments can help your legs look and feel much better. Some treatments have side effects, so you need to consider their pros and cons when deciding what's right for you. We encourage you to read our entire condition report and to consult with your doctor to learn more about varicose veins. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, you’ll have access to our expert research and recommendations, and you’ll be more confident and knowledgeable about which treatments are best for you.