Why do spider veins occur more often during pregnancy?

New spider veins may develop during pregnancy or existing ones become worse, especially if the woman has a family predisposition.

The hormonal changes and increased strain experienced by pregnant women mean that spider veins and large varicose veins can develop more easily. The increase in the hormone progesterone is responsible for the connective tissue becoming looser and the vein walls less resilient, especially in the first few months of pregnancy. The veins expand so that the blue vessels under the skin can be seen more clearly. In addition, the blood flow from the legs back to the heart is reduced, as the enlarging abdomen presses on the pelvic veins, thus increasing the blood pressure in the leg veins.

Taken together, these factors allow new spider veins to develop or make pre-existing ones worse. Fortunately, spider veins can regress after birth, as the hormone situation and pressure strain return to normal. For this reason, spider veins should not be treated during pregnancy. It is worth waiting for some weeks after the baby is born to see whether the spider veins improve or resolve completely.