Does your husband or boyfriend have varicose veins and feel like he must be the only man in the world with this condition? If so, it should reassure both of you to know that, in my observation, up to a third of men deal with a vein condition at some point in their lifetime. It's a common misconception that varicose veins, leg pain, and other vein conditions only affect women. For that reason, many men suffer in silence, unaware of what they're dealing with and what the consequences are, or that it's a highly treatable condition.
What Causes a Vein Condition in Men?
Men develop varicose veins and leg pain for many of the same reasons women do, including prolonged standing, sitting, or a family history of vein problems (genetics). The result is vein reflux, a condition that slows blood flow in the legs causing it to pool in the lower legs. Other typical issues experienced by men who have a vein condition include leg pain, leg swelling and aching, leg cramps, and...in more advanced stages, skin sores and discoloration. Surprisingly, many men are not concerned about the dramatic appearance of their veins and are in a state of denial about the possible, more serious, consequences including the development of skin ulcers.
Men have a higher likelihood of developing a vein condition if someone in their immediate family also has or had one, whether male or female. Guys whose jobs require long periods of sitting or standing, such as men who work in manufacturing and stand most of their shift, are more likely to develop a vein condition. Lack of activity and movement reduces circulation in the legs and can cause blood to pool in the lower legs.
Men with a body mass index (BMI) that puts them in the overweight or obese category also face a greater risk of developing a vein condition. As you know, lecturing anyone about their weight is not an effective strategy, but they might listen to you if they understand how it can be causing a vein condition. Losing weight will help alleviate symptoms. It won't make the vein condition completely go away.
Common Concerns of Men with a Vein Condition
It’s not uncommon that men simply don’t like going to the doctor. Often, they believe that their problems will simply resolve on their own and that they should just 'toughen up and deal with it.' But a vein condition won't get better. It will only worsen over time if left untreated. Many men tell me that the pain and fatigue eventually got so bad that they couldn't work without sitting down to take a break. Some were fearful of losing their jobs because the advanced state of their vein condition was causing them to not be able to work.
How to Talk to Your Reluctant Husband or Significant Other
If you suspect that the man in your life has a medical condition (including possibly a vein condition), but is reluctant to go to the doctor, you may be in a unique position to help. How can you influence your male spouse or significant other to seek healthcare when they are reluctant to do so?
Men are the traditional protectors of their family and their wives, and men respond to a woman's plea for safety and security. Feeling safe and secure also means that your spouse's or significant other's health is good. You can ask them to go to the doctor to provide you with that feeling of safety. You can acknowledge that he doesn't like to go to the doctor, but he's doing it for the sake of his family.
Men are also, traditionally, the primary breadwinners for their families. You can encourage him to consider how important it is to stay healthy so they can continue to be able to provide for their families. Asking him to go to the doctor is a commitment to you, to help you feel safe and secure about the continued financial stability of the family. These talking points really do resonate with men.
A Concern: Will I Miss Work?
Speaking of work, one of the things we hear from the men in our clinic is concern that taking time for an initial consultation and attending treatment sessions will cause them to miss too much work. We understand. When scheduling a consultation and treatment, we encourage you to request an early morning appointment, late afternoon, or early evening appointment if that fits around a work schedule. The time you miss from work is only the time you'll need for your appointment. Most patients can return to work the same day after receiving treatment and can resume all activities immediately.
Keep in mind that scheduling appointments is the less 'risky' option. Ignoring treatment can eventually compromise his ability to work and hold a job in the future as the vein condition advances. Some men have even lost their jobs because they had to take frequent breaks from being on their feet all day and didn’t have the medical clearance to do so.
Don’t Let Varicose Veins Cause Ongoing Health Issues
Although varicose veins are more common in women, that doesn’t mean men with this vein condition don’t suffer. If your significant other comes home from work each night and just sits in a chair, take that as a sign that something could be wrong. Evening fatigue and leg pain can lead to a weight gain of about 10 to 15 pounds a year, another common side effect in men with vein problems. Ongoing vein problems with obesity can lead to health issues: joint problems, risk of heart attack and stroke, diabetes, and premature death. With lifestyle changes like a healthy diet, an activity to burn calories, and commitment to following treatment recommendations, your husband or boyfriend should soon feel like his old self again.
Still not sure? Review our patient testimonials from men who finally agreed to have the treatment and hear their stories. As a man who suffered from a vein condition myself, I understand the hesitation. But the success stories are too profound to ignore. One male patient, in particular, experienced a complete life transformation after treatment! He had so much leg pain in the evening that he'd come home every evening and do nothing. Pain, swelling, fatigue, and weight gain had completely disrupted his life. After treatment, he finally had the energy and ability to start walking in the evenings. He lost 80 pounds in 6 months!
The bottom line, don't wait. Most insurance covers vein treatment...and guys, your family needs you at your best.
