When you think about varicose veins, it is likely those bulging, twisting lines on the lower leg come to mind. However, the legs are not the only place where bothersome visible veins can show up. Some women discover these blue networks of lines on their breasts as well, which can also cause considerable embarrassment. The good news is that there are effective treatments for breast veins that can eliminate their appearance and the uncomfortable symptoms that sometimes accompany them.
Causes of Breast Veins
Breast veins can appear at any time of life, including during puberty. Other factors that might trigger the appearance of breast veins include:
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Oral contraceptives
- Weight gain or loss
- Breast surgery
In many of these cases, the visible veins will disappear after the event over a period of time. However, that is not always the case. The natural aging process can also lead to the visible veins, which are not likely to disappear and can cause anxiety for some women. While most breast veins are not a significant medical concern, it is always a good idea to have them checked out by a vein specialist to ensure they are not a sign of an underlying condition.
Getting to the Source
A common cause of breast veins in a vein condition known as chronic venous insufficiency or CVI. This disorder occurs when small valves inside the vessels stop working properly, allowing blood to pool inside the veins. This pooling leads to swelling and weakening of the vessel, which can result in a visible vein on the surface of the skin.
At Windward Vein, we want to get to the source of your breast veins so that we can treat the problem more effectively and permanently. When you visit our office, we will do a thorough assessment of the veins in the breasts, as well as surrounding veins in the chest, neck and armpits to identify any potential blockages that could be contributing to the problem.
Treatment Options
Once we have identified the source of your breast veins, we have a couple of treatment options available:
Foam Sclerotherapy
This injectable treatment delivers a special foam agent inside the affected vein, which displaces blood inside the vein so the vessel can be sealed closed. The collapsed vein will disappear from view and be reabsorbed by the body over time.
Laser Ablation
This procedure works in a similar fashion to sclerotherapy, treating the affected vein from the inside out. However, this treatment delivers laser energy into the vessel, which irritates the lining of the vein so it seals closed and collapses. The visible vein disappears and is reabsorbed by the body over time.
Both of these treatments can be performed in our office at Windward Vein and take just a few minutes to complete. In both cases, the treated veins are completely eliminated and blood is rerouted to healthy veins nearby. The treatments involve little if any discomfort and patients are able to return to their regular activities as soon as the procedure is over.
Don’t let breast veins put a damper on your intimate life or your self-confidence. Contact Windward Vein today at 808-797-2687 to schedule your vein assessment and find out how we can help you say goodbye to your breast veins for good.
