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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Oral Contraceptive Pills Be Taken While Suffering From Varicose Veins?

Hello. I want to take oral contraceptive pills for my hormonal imbalance. However, I have varicose veins on my left leg and I ve heard that contraceptive pills could worsen varicose veins. I was wondering if this is true and what s best solution for this? Thanks
Mon, 19 Dec 2016
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi & Welcome.
I can understand your concern regarding the safety of OCPs while suffering from varicose veins.

Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that can be seen just under the surface of the skin. The superficial clots that can occur with varicose veins can cause leg swelling, redness, pain, and tenderness in the affected limb or around the affected vein. However, unlike blood clots that form in the deep veins of the legs, the superficial clots associated with varicose veins do not usually travel to the lungs or cause a pulmonary embolism (PE) or blood clot in the lung

Deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism is a serious condition and does not usually occur with varicose veins, because varicose veins affect the veins close to the surface of the skin. However, with severe varicose veins, there can be a risk that a DVT might occur.

There is however evidence that the presence of varicose veins leads to an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis at the time of major abdominal or pelvic surgery.

So, in view of the above you should consult your treating gynecologist for proper clinical assessment and if you found to have serious varicose veins varicose veins secondary to previous deep vein thrombosis you may be given Progesterone only containing pills for your hormonal imbalance as the estrogen content in the combined oral contraceptive pills appears to be responsible for deep vein thrombosis in some users.

Hope the advice given above would be useful.

A feedback is appreciated.
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Can Oral Contraceptive Pills Be Taken While Suffering From Varicose Veins?

Hi & Welcome. I can understand your concern regarding the safety of OCPs while suffering from varicose veins. Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that can be seen just under the surface of the skin. The superficial clots that can occur with varicose veins can cause leg swelling, redness, pain, and tenderness in the affected limb or around the affected vein. However, unlike blood clots that form in the deep veins of the legs, the superficial clots associated with varicose veins do not usually travel to the lungs or cause a pulmonary embolism (PE) or blood clot in the lung Deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism is a serious condition and does not usually occur with varicose veins, because varicose veins affect the veins close to the surface of the skin. However, with severe varicose veins, there can be a risk that a DVT might occur. There is however evidence that the presence of varicose veins leads to an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis at the time of major abdominal or pelvic surgery. So, in view of the above you should consult your treating gynecologist for proper clinical assessment and if you found to have serious varicose veins varicose veins secondary to previous deep vein thrombosis you may be given Progesterone only containing pills for your hormonal imbalance as the estrogen content in the combined oral contraceptive pills appears to be responsible for deep vein thrombosis in some users. Hope the advice given above would be useful. A feedback is appreciated.