Do birth control pills give you spider and varicose veins on your legs?
I have read that this can happen. I’ve been taking the pills for 5 and a half years, since I was 15. I am now 21, and within the past few years have been noticing spider veins popping up on my legs. Might I add that I am not overweight. I am 5’7″ and weigh 135lbs, although I am what I would call “bottom heavy.” Also, the veins on the backs of my calves look as if they be beginning to be varicose– they’re very blue and obvious, and one of them feels ever so slightly raised. I’m very concerned. Has anyone else had this happen, and do they go away after so long taking the medicine? Thanks.
edit– Answer #2 is potentially the worst ‘serious’ answer I’ve ever had on here. Absolutely none of that answer responded to my question. It was just vague, regurgitated information about potential side effects. I’m sorry to sound rude, but you really irritated me.
They can cause bloods clots (which is why if you’re at high risk for stroke you can’t taken them) these can certainly lodge in your legs, blocking veins off, causing them to break off and raise to the surface. I’m not so sure they directly cause them just from the bc.
What side effects does the Pill have?
Today’s pills cause fewer bothersome side effects than the first combination pills, which came on the market in the 1960s, because they contain much smaller amounts of hormones.
You may have spotting or bleeding between periods, known as breakthrough bleeding. (This is the one side effect that tends to occur more often with the newer low-dose formulations.) The good news is that it usually goes away after a few cycles.
It’s important to keep taking your pills if you have breakthrough bleeding. Taking your pill at the same time each day may help reduce bleeding.
If the breakthrough bleeding doesn’t stop after a few months, you can ask your practitioner about trying a different brand. Keep track of when you have breakthrough bleeding because the pattern may help your caregiver choose a different pill for you.
Some women feel a bit nauseated after taking their pills. If this is a problem for you, try taking them with meals or just before bedtime. Others report swollen or tender breasts, a bigger appetite, small changes in weight (gain or loss), bloating, a change in sex drive, or mood changes.
Most side effects go away within three months or so of starting the Pill. Sometimes switching to a different brand helps.
Some women who wear contact lenses find they become uncomfortable when they start taking the Pill. If your eyes have become dry, try using saline eye drops or lubricants a few times a day. Consult your eye doctor if the problem doesn’t go away.
Finally, some women develop chloasma — or areas of darkened skin, usually on the face — when they’re taking combination pills, though it happens less often now that the pills are lower in estrogen. This is more likely to be an issue for you if you had chloasma during pregnancy.
You can lower your chances of getting chloasma while you’re on the Pill by protecting your skin from the sun with sunscreen and clothing. Chloasma’s not a health risk, but if you do develop it, you’ll want to switch to progestin-only pills or another method of contraception that doesn’t contain estrogen because the chloasma may continue to get worse if you stay on the Pill.
Varicose veins are inherited and are not caused by the pill. They also don’t have anything to do with your weight, they are inherited and can be worsened by standing on your legs all day. They are harmless. If you want to get rid of them there are places where they use a laser to get rid of these veins for about $160.
Good Luck!