Major Contributing Role of Sclerotherapy in the Treatment of Varicose Veins

Abstract

Varicose veins is a common vascular problem in Western Civilization, ac counting for 24 million cases in the United States. Factors appear to be a combi nation of heredity, perhaps diet, and hormonal influences. One out of five females will have some form of varicosities with a ratio of about 20 females to 1 male. Endogenous hormones are implicated in that varicosities start after the menarche in many women, are usually symptomatic pre-menstrually, and are tremendously aggravated by pregnancy (Table I). The administration of estro gen often aggravates pre-existing varices, as does obesity, which may be related to endogenous estrogen. Sedentary life style or occupations requiring standing in one position for long periods of time play a role in aggravation of pre-existing varices, as does lack of muscle tone. ¹