The Five Most Common Causes of Varicose Veins Are:
Age
With age, your veins gradually lose elasticity, and they stretch. This is when the one-way valves connecting deep and superficial veins fail causing blood to pool and veins to become larger.
Pregnancy
While pregnant, your body is producing more blood. Except it is not sending as much blood through to your legs, resulting in poor recirculation of the blood in your legs. Changing hormones can also play a role in pregnancy induced varicose veins.
Prolonged Standing and Sitting
Both long periods of standing and sitting can result in varicose veins. By staying in the same position for an extended time, the blood in your legs has to work harder to recirculate. This can result in the weakening of the valves that are designed to send blood back to the heart.
Weight Gain
While weight gain itself is not a cause of varicose veins, being overweight may be. Carrying extra pounds puts additional pressure on your veins to circulate blood throughout your body.
Family History
You are at a higher risk for developing varicose veins if other members of your family also experience them. Furthermore, women are at a considerably higher risk of varicose veins resulting from hormonal changes, birth control pills, and/or hormone replacement therapy.